[pct-l] solar charger for lithium batteries? "Gimicky" Solio?

Mon Feb 12 11:35:48 CST 2007

"...I would avoid silly gimicky versions such as the Solio..."

I've been looking around for a solar charger since I got my new portable
Sirius satellite radio receiver (The S-100. it's kinda like an I-Pod).
I've talked to a few folks who have used the Solio and generally, they
tell me that the output is less than desirable. However, I'm still
leaning toward the Solio for a couple reasons:

1. I only want to charge my new satellite radio receiver while I'm using
it.
2. The solar charger I want needs to be open while I'm hiking.

I first considered the fold-out sheet-type chargers, but I can't see
these draped across the back of my pack while I'm hiking. My satellite
receiver operates on about 3.7V at 1370mAh. The Solio advertises an
output of 4-12V and 0-1 Amp for a max continuous 155mA @ 6V. What this
means (I'm not an electrical engineer, but what I've been told...), is
that the Solio will provide enough charge to power my receiver while
it's turned on but the "left over" charge is barely enough to re-charge
the battery. To charge the battery, the receiver would need to be turned
off so the charge is dedicated to re-charging the battery.

At 5.6 ounces, it's much lighter that the 2.6 pounds of the lightest
fold-out available from the web site you cited. Also- the Solio has am
internal rechargeable battery that can be charged from a wall plug and
provide 1600mAh at 3.6V (for how long with my receiver, I don't know).

I've taken my new satellite receiver on a couple day hikes now and found
that the two batteries it comes with provide 2 and 4 hours for each (it
comes with a "slim" and a standard size batteries). So, if I hit the
trail with fully charged batteries, I can expect to have 6 hours of use.
Add this to the internal battery of the Solio and I can reasonably
expect to get a full day's worth of use from my receiver.

I don't plan on using my receiver continuously while hiking. So when
it's not in use, it's being recharged. Of course, this all assumes there
is sunlight, but that's the issue with all solar chargers. AND- When
doing big-mile days, I'm walking from sun-up to sun-down, I can't stop,
fold out a panel and wait for my device to re-charge.

Now, back to the original description of the Solio being "gimmicky";
What do you mean? From what I've seen and read, the Solio is just a
simple solar charger. It doesn't do anything else more than other solar
chargers on the market. Unless you think the 36 ounce difference in
weight as a "gimmick". It IS a well designed device, aesthetically, and
the fold-out "leaves" are a clever function as well. But just because
it's a "better looking" device, I wouldn't call that a gimmick.

I still have not completely made up my mind on solar chargers, so I
would like to hear what others experiences have been with these. The
chargers now on the market are MUCH better than what was available a
couple years ago! It would be great to find one that has that perfect
balance of weight/power output and be able to be mounted on a pack so
it's in use while hiking. Maybe one of our esteemed UL pack
manufacturers can offer a pack with integral solar panels in the pack
panels itself!

Michael  Saenz
Associate Partner

MVE & Partners, Inc. | Architecture + Planning + Interiors 
Irvine + Oakland + Honolulu

1900 Main Street, Suite 800 | Irvine, California 92614-7318 | T
949.809.3388 | www.mve-architects.com
-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of c.engberg at cox.net
Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2007 6:40 PM
To: paul at bluebrain.ca; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] solar charger for lithium batteries?

This topic came up a while ago...

The lightest weight solar chargers I can find that produce effective
power are from a 
company called Powerfilm 
(http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/products/military/foldables/index.htm)
and are availible from 
Sundance Solar in 5 and 10 watt versions 
(http://store.sundancesolar.com/po10wafosoba.html). REI also sells
rollable solar panels 
from Brunton that look pretty decent. I would avoid silly gimicky
versions such as the Solio 
(also available from REI and no offence to anyone that has one) which
produces insufficient 
wattage to charge really anything effectively. Keep in mind watts
produced per weight- more 
watts (at the same voltage) means batteries will charge faster. I would
recommend at least 
five watts (at about 12 volts) to charge your camera batteries,
especially if you have other 
electronic devices you plan on using or youll run out of time in the day
to fully charge each.

Basically you end up getting the panel which has a cigarete lighter
output (male end) that 
you can connet that to anything you want with a female end (read-"car
chargers").

Minimum you are looking at about 6-10oz for a 5-10 watt panel (not
including the weight of 
the actual battery and car charger) which isnt terrible considering the
self reliance (although 
expensive). On a side note: if you feel comfortable voiding you warranty
and the are handy 
with electronics, the wieght of car chargers can be trimmed down to next
to nothing.

You might also just consider how often you'll be using your camera over
a 4-5day trip 
between each resupply and buy a few extra batteries then just plan on
finding an outlet to 
"borrow" in town while you run and do errands, buy food, shower, hit the
post office, etc.

Another option might be to purchase a aftermarket eternal battery pack
which offers the 
ability to use AA batteries for your camera. Not sure of your specific
model so youll have to 
search on your own. This may be your lightest option and depending on
the length of your 
trip, the cheapest, although over time this will become expensive (not
to mention a waste of 
materials and not great for the environment).

Hope this helps
-chris

On 11 Feb 2007 at 17:01, Paul Mitchell wrote:

> Anybody know if it's possible to solar charge the lithium batteries
that
> camcorders run on?
> 
> _______________________________________________
> pct-l mailing list
> pct-l at backcountry.net
> unsubscribe or change options:
> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> 

_______________________________________________
pct-l mailing list
pct-l at backcountry.net
unsubscribe or change options:
http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l