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!

Solar battery charger

These days, its hard to imagine life without a fully charged and functioning cell phone – which may include a camera, GPS device, mP3 player and portal to the Internet.  With all these operations, its no wonder that smart phones do not stay charged for long.  That’s where solar battery charging comes into play.

With portable solar power, you can keep any electronic device operational, even if you are away from an electrical outlet.  In fact, any person that spends time outdoors should have one of the solar power chargers on the market!

Whether you are walking across campus or studying outdoors,  re-charge your phone or computer with a solar backpack or handbag.

For women, you can select among various solar handbags. They have solar panels incorporated into the fabric and also include USB ports for easy plug-in and charging of a variety of devices.

If you are someone who loves hiking, camping, hunting or fishing, then consider either the roll-out solar panels, or a solar strap. Thin film solar technology is incorporated to allow for flexible, light and very portable solar power.

Obviously, convenience is a key consideration when it comes to keeping your batteries charged. When you don’t even notice your power source being toted along with your other gear, that is a huge plus, in my book!

The Solio Solar Charger makes a great solar gift idea

Second on our list of top 5 solar gift ideas for 2010 is the Solio Portable Charger.  We originally reviewed this product in 2008, and it still fits the bill.  In fact, in the past 2 years, more and more solar chargers have entered the market.  There are even cell phones with tiny solar panels built right in.

But with the Solio Portable Charger, you can use it to recharge your cell phone, mP3 player, video camera, portable gaming systems and any other small electronic device.  The design is cool too – small solar panels fan out for exposure to UV light.  Solar energy collected is stored in a battery for future use.  When it comes to portable solar chargers, this is one of the best!

And you’re in luck if you are on a holiday shopping budget.  The Solio portable charger has dropped in price recently.  Now, its only $59.99 (down $20 from 2 years ago!)  You can order one online at www.solio.com.

SOLAR Charger Power Pak Powerful enough to charge all of your portable electronics using the POWER of the SUNProvides a source of POWER when away from outlets Solar Panels charge and maintain 1400 mAh of power! 60 minute charge provides up to 180 minutes of talk time or 72 hours of standby time. AC power adapter charging 2-5 hours. Computer charging 3-5 hours. Solar Charging 5-7 hours. Includes Plugs to CHARGE and POWER your Mobile Phone, PDA, MP3, MP4, Ipod, Iphone, Kindl (more…)

USB + AA ChargerUltra compact, ultra lightweight and yet very durable, the PowerFlim USB + AA Solar Charger is ideal for everyday use. The USB + AA Solar Charger charges most small USB devices.Proprietary charging circuitry maximizes charge into the batteries. It provides full charge in four hours of full sun, and with a charging light on the side of the enclosure, indicates charging status.Six grommets are built into the charger to allow for secure fastening to a pack or to the (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!

The Scorpion: Portable solar charger, radio and light all in one

Love camping, hiking, fishing or hunting?  For all you survivalist wanna-bes, there’s a new solar gadget for you.  The Scorpion is a solar-powered radio and flashlight that can also be used to charge up your phone, MP3 player, camera and more.

Manufactured by Eton, the Scorpion is one rugged device!  Solar panels are incorporated into the design.  Exposure to UV light will power the radio, store energy for the flashlight, and even recharge cell phones with its built-in USB port.  Simply clip the Scorpion onto your backpack or belt and start drawing on solar energy.  Its about the size of a walkie-talkie.  The Scorpion can also be powered using a hand-crank, if necessary.

When you’re out in the field, you’ll be able to keep updated on weather conditions through the NOAA weather band.  Easily find out when a system is moving in and whether its time to pitch your tent or find shelter.  The Scorpion’s radio tuner is digital.

With Father’s Day and graduation season upon us, this would make a perfect gift.  The Scorpion retails for $50, and you can find it at Amazon.com, REI and many other sports/outdoors retail outlets.

For more information on the Scorpion, check out its webpage.

Solar charge: Take this solar gadget charger everywhere you go to charge up almost any devise with a USB port. A great birthday gift too. From RedEnvelope.

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Small, yet powerful solar charger for your laptop

When it comes to portable solar chargers, size definitely matters.  Some can really only handle small electronics like cell phones and cameras.  Not so for Muzatch – its solar charger designed for laptops can actually recharge 95% of the digital products on the market.

The MZH-SP-6500/ SP-6000 renewable energy charger, shown to the left, is a green way to power up your various electronics – computers, cameras, cell phones, GPS devices, mobile DVD players and hand-held gaming systems.  Simply open up the panels and plug in your device.  No need for an electrical outlet.

Solar chargers are perfect for students, sportspersons, hikers/campers, and basically anyone who spends time outdoors, or close to a window.

If you’re ready to tap into the available free energy from the sun, here are fast facts about the solar charger designed by Muzatch:

• Built-in lithium-ion battery
• Capacity is of 12,000 mAh
• Output voltage ranging from 5V to 22V”
• Protection from over charge, over release, over current and short circuits due to built-in intelligence monitoring.
• Price: $149.95

Amazon.com

Designed to protect against natural battery discharge and electronic drain in cars, recreational vehicles, SUVs, and trucks, the Coleman solar 1.5-watt 12-volt deep-cycle charger keeps the 12-volt batteries in the vehicle charged so you can run small appliances such as fluorescent lights, coolers, small TVs, or laptops. The solar charger provides an immediate charge when exposed to daylight, even on cloudy day. Illuminated LEDs lets you know the panel is charging, and (more…)