Solar battery charger

Owning a solar powered battery charger can help you in an emergency, and also save money!

Solar battery chargers are useful for vehicles (cars, motorcycles and boats) and will also work for battery powered generators, lawn equipment, garage door openers, electric gates and more.  Why?  Because things that run on solar power are not affected by grid outages.

There is a wide range of solar chargers on the market, from foldable, portable solar power, to stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) panels.

The smallest versions of solar powered battery chargers can be used for electronics including cell phones, mP3 players, cameras and computers.  Wattage varies, as well, depending on your power needs.

Generally speaking, solar powered battery chargers that are 4 watts (up to 12 volts) or less are best suited for smaller batteries that do not take a great amount of time for recharging.  These solar chargers range in price from $25-100.

The next level up are the 5-10 watt solar battery chargers.  They cost about $60-200, and can give a significant boost to batteries that have become drained.  These chargers are effective for electric gates and fences, and some industrial equipment.

Solar powered battery chargers over 11 watts cost between $150 and $600.  Of course, they are best suited for larger batteries, including those for boats, generators, industrial use and more.  Simply place the panels outside in daylight and you’ll be able tap into solar power instead of grid based electricity or gasoline.

Do you use solar powered battery chargers?  Why or why not?  Share in the comments below!

Portable solar power for your next camping outing

Are you going camping this summer?  Maybe fishing, hiking or boating?

Its time to consider a solar power gadget to keep your electronics fully charged so you can stay connected.

These days, its hard to travel anywhere without a cell phone, mP3 player, computer, GPS device, or even a camera.  Heck, you probably even want some convenient coffee, while you are at it!  Yet all of these devices require a lot of battery power to keep running.

When you’re in the great outdoors, there is nowhere to plug in for a quick recharge when the power level is running low.  That’s where portable solar power gadgets come into play!

There are many ways to use sunlight to generate solar power to keep your electronics’ batteries fully charged.  When you’re away from the power grid, you still need to be connected to the rest of the world for health and safety reasons.  Campers and other outdoor recreational enthusiasts may also want to charge up cameras and music players for entertainment.

We have reviewed solar backpacks, solar lanterns, foldable solar panels, and even solar powered cell phones here.  Before long, there will probably even be solar powered sleeping bags!

Basically, all you need is some UV exposure and a device with solar panels.  And many solar power gadgets are not even very expensive!  For about $200 or less, you can enjoy outdoor recreation for as long as you like, without worrying about battery life of your electronics.

So get out and enjoy the sun!  And while you are at it, make it work for you.

Use your existing USB cable to charge most devices including iPod iPhone MP3 Blackberry and more Internal 1500ma Lithium-Ion battery stores power for whenever you need it and recharges from the sun or the included USB cable Includes windshield mount cradle & universal carbineer mount Output: 5v 500ma

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Amazon.com

The Sunforce 50022 5-Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger gives you another reason to love the sun–it can help keep your vehicle’s battery charged. It provides up to 5-Watts or 350mA of power to prevent the natural voltage drain of batteries over time. It includes both a lighter socket adapter and alligator clips to give you flexible connection options. The Sunforce 5-Watt Solar Trickle Charger is compact and easy to install. Convenient Power That Helps Keep Your B (more…)

Amazon.com

The Sunforce 50012 1.8-Watt Solar Battery Maintainer gives you another reason to love the sun–it can help keep your vehicle’s battery charged. It provides up to 1.8-Watts or 125mA of power to prevent the natural voltage drain of batteries over time. It includes both a lighter socket adapter and alligator clips to give you flexible connection options. The Sunforce 1.8-Watt Solar Battery Maintainer is compact and easy to install. Convenient Power That Helps Keep Yo (more…)

Electree Bonsai Solar Charger (image from Electree)

Renewable energy meets style with this inventive Bonzai solar charger from Electree!  Now you can be “green” and “cool” at the same time with this device on your desk.

Designer Vivien Muller created this contemporary design that is as functional as it is beautiful.  The solar battery charger is about 40 cm in height and includes 42 PV panel “leaves” that can generate solar power when positioned in a sunny window during the day.  Inside the Electree’s base is a battery that connects to a USB port.  Plug in your cell phone, mP3 player, your camera or GPS device and recharge with clean, free solar power.

The design is smart in that it allows users to position the solar power “leaves” to minimize shading, if possible.  Magnetized modules allow you to create your own bonzai tree, and even re-orient the PV cells to increase efficiency throughout the day.  While seriously effective, this solar charger is only intended for indoor use!

Portable solar power meets stylish design (image from Electree)

“Electree’ was presented for the first time on may 6th, 2010 at the palais de tokyo in Paris.  Although it has been produced commercially, only 20 units have been created so far.  So, you might just have to marvel from your computer at this cool solar power design, and await for copycats to hit your local design store in the future!

Products trademarked HQRP® are marketed and sold exclusively by Osprey-Talon. HQRP Solar Charge Controllers are high quality, efficient and reliable Solar Power Regulators. They are perfect for rural electrification system. They offer a lot of possibilities and benefits. Regulations point: 14.4 Volts; Low voltage Disconnect: 11.1V Volts; Low voltage Reconnect: 13.1 Volts; Microcontroller digital accuracy; Type of Charging: Series PWM & stat of charge(SOC); 4 Stages: equalizatio (more…)

win back ex girlfriend

This Solar charger is ideal for charging rechargable batteries where ever the sun shines… which is just about anywhere.
It has a wheather resitant one peice cover so you can leave it out in the rain. It has a blocking diode to prevent reverse flow at night so you can leave it out over night. It can charge Ni-Cd or Ni-Mh rechargable batteries.
The chargeing times varies with the different batteries as well as the quality of sunshine. For example it will charge two AA 500mA bat (more…)

Could this be a car solar battery charger?

A car solar battery charger is a convenient way for you to use your vehicle and the power of the sun to recharge small, portable devices like cell phones, iPods and cameras.  But that’s not all!  Some solar battery chargers are also powerful enough to charge the batteries of your car, truck or RV.

Depending on your needs and budget, you can find a car solar battery charger from in a range from $30-300.  Some are only suited for portable gadgets, while other, larger and more powerful models can actually boost your vehicle’s battery.

If you are frequently on the go, you’ll want one of these portable solar battery chargers – ideal for campers, backpackers, hunters and fishers.  The solar chargers are compact and lightweight and can be folded up when not in use.

First, let’s check out an example of a solar battery charger for devices alone:

Now, watch this video for a car solar battery charger that will help boost the battery charge of your vehicle, or your boat!  I love how this is a “trickle” charge that builds over time.  Just put out the panel during sunny times and you’ll enjoy a longer, more reliable battery charge.  You can even recharge through the windshield or a window.

I’ve done the research here so you don’t have to!  I found two different car solar battery chargers (either 2 or 7.5 watts) that are suitable for charging the battery of your vehicle.  The first option uses solar energy to charge the battery via a cigarette lighter socket.  The solar cells incorporated are effective even in low light conditions.

Both options can help protect against natural battery discharge and electronic drain in cars, boats and other vehicles. The solar battery charger uses “trickle-charge” technology when exposed to UV light.  Over time, small increments of power add up to provide you reliable starting energy – particularly important when your car or boat has not been used for a while.

Where can you find car solar battery chargers?  Many sites online carry them – from Amazon.com to eBay, to direct retailers.

Plug into the power of the sun, and you’ll never be left without a charge!