Hi

I'd like to get some advice regarding the purchase of a reliable Solar Panel.

I am looking for something that is powerful enough (given proper sunlight exposure of course )to charge electronic devices (GPS, Transceiver, Satellite Phone,Cell Phone ).

I found quite a lot of cheap gadgets but I'm looking for something I can count on.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Hi, I have no experience with photovoltaic chargers but this one (Solio) caught my attention.



I have discovered it in the National Geographic Adventure magazine - http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/best-of-adventure-2008/gear/desert.html , http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/gear/travel/digital-camera-2.html .
According to the Solio website it should be quite durable and reliable ( http://www.solio.com/charger/index.htm ). But like I said I am just guessing. I haven´t used it.


Other photovoltaic chargers/portable power from my browser bookmarks:

http://www.silva.se/templates/Products____95.aspx?epslanguage=EN

http://www.brunton.com/catalog.php?cat=8

Check this thread out:

http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.ph...true#Post126060

E-bay has some good options as well.

I would definitely get a 20 watt or greater cell and if you look at this vendor's store (vitabon) he has great prices. Mine is 40 Watt and a tough cell, check out the video.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160229345495&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=190203186281&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget&_trksid=p284.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BIA%26itu%3DCR%252BIA%252BUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D42

How portable does your panel need to be? Will you be carrying it on foot, transporting in a vehicle, or mounting it in a semi-permanent location?

If size/weight are not critical, the solar panels designed for RVs are reasonably tough, withstanding vibration and weather quite well.

I have heard bad things about the solio in a couple places in that people claim it is unregulated and may damage the item you are trying to charge. But then again you hear all sorts of things on the interwebs. I've no experience with it myself.

I would also take that claim about the Solio (at least the Solio Hybrid model) with a grain of salt simply because of it’s design. The Solio Hybrid is not only a solar panel group, but is also a battery. The solar panels charge the battery, and the battery supplies power to your device. The solar panels do not power the device directly.

Go here:
http://store.sundancesolar.com/solarforrvs.html
and click on the link for the sizing guide. You need to have more specific information on your needs to know what output you need from your panel.

Take a look at this
http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/

It has enough power to be useful charging all kinds of portable electronics.

Yea it’s $500.00, but it's useable and has enough amperage to really charge something.





Small, low priced chargers look great as far as price, but they are lacking in real power and ability to charge things.

I would go with at least 20-watts. 20 watts is about 1.6 amps at 12-volts. But most solar panels have an open voltage (no load) of 20-volts. This makes them look better on the spec-sheet, but once you hook them up to something the voltage drops down to 12-volts (for a 12-volt panel.



I would get a 12-volt panel only. I have seen solar panels that are rated at 4 to 6-volts for cell phones. This really limits your options to use it for other items. The 12-panel will allow you the most charging options.

Shop around, I own a Powerfilm rolling panel and I paid just a little over $300.

Hi

Sorry for the late reply...I spent a few days in a place that had no internet connection.

Thank you all for the advice - it was really helpful :-)