Do solar chargers really work?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,248
Bikes: This list got too long: several ‘bents, an urban utility e-bike, and a dahon D7 that my daughter has absconded with.
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 363 Post(s)
Liked 66 Times
in
48 Posts
Do solar chargers really work?
I am considering a long ride this summer which will leave my outside for several days. I will be relying on a GPS as I will be in China. I need some way to keep the GPS working.
This brings me to the question, do those battery / solar cell combos, like the one pictured, actually work?
I intend to put it on the top of the stuff on my rear rack on a recumbent and use it on a GPS like this one.
General
Product Name
Portable Mobile Solar Power Charger
Brand/Model
NA
Color
Black
Basic Specification
Battery Type
Lithium Battery
Capacity
2600MAH
Input Voltage
5.5V/300-500mA
Output Voltage
4.2V,5.5V,9V /400-800mA
Charger Time
Around 2 hours
Charging Mode
USB or Adapter
Port
1 x USB Slot
Dimension(L x W x H)
120 x 65 x 11 mm
Suitable For
iPhone/iPad/PDA/PSP/MP3/Mp4/Laptop/Notebook
Features
- Portable mobile charger for your item
- Easy to take and charge conveniently
- LED lights flash when charging the mobile.
Package Included
- 1 x Portable Mobile Charger
- 3 x Cables
- 1 x Charger
- 4 x Adapters
This brings me to the question, do those battery / solar cell combos, like the one pictured, actually work?
I intend to put it on the top of the stuff on my rear rack on a recumbent and use it on a GPS like this one.
General
Product Name
Portable Mobile Solar Power Charger
Brand/Model
NA
Color
Black
Basic Specification
Battery Type
Lithium Battery
Capacity
2600MAH
Input Voltage
5.5V/300-500mA
Output Voltage
4.2V,5.5V,9V /400-800mA
Charger Time
Around 2 hours
Charging Mode
USB or Adapter
Port
1 x USB Slot
Dimension(L x W x H)
120 x 65 x 11 mm
Suitable For
iPhone/iPad/PDA/PSP/MP3/Mp4/Laptop/Notebook
Features
- Portable mobile charger for your item
- Easy to take and charge conveniently
- LED lights flash when charging the mobile.
Package Included
- 1 x Portable Mobile Charger
- 3 x Cables
- 1 x Charger
- 4 x Adapters
#2
Zoom zoom zoom zoom bonk
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 4,624
Bikes: Giant Defy, Trek 1.7c, BMC GF02, Fuji Tahoe, Scott Sub 35, Kona Rove, Trek Verve+2
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 722 Times
in
366 Posts
I intend to put it on the top of the stuff on my rear rack on a recumbent and use it on a GPS like this one.
You're better off going for an AA powered GPS like an etrex.
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,248
Bikes: This list got too long: several ‘bents, an urban utility e-bike, and a dahon D7 that my daughter has absconded with.
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 363 Post(s)
Liked 66 Times
in
48 Posts
etrex does not have China maps. Part of the trouble is that maps are a state secret. As such, GPS units that are offered outside of the Chinese market will not do what I want. Also, the batteries purchased in China are of very poor quality. You cannot plan on a battery in China lasting more than half as long as a similar battery purchased on the US.
I have a small GPS with good battery life; however, it does not display maps. I actually doubt that I need the maps display; but, The last time I made a similar trip I ran into trouble when the road detoured at one point.
I have a small GPS with good battery life; however, it does not display maps. I actually doubt that I need the maps display; but, The last time I made a similar trip I ran into trouble when the road detoured at one point.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 8,683
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1125 Post(s)
Liked 248 Times
in
199 Posts
Yes they work howbeit slowly and on sunny days.
#5
Zoom zoom zoom zoom bonk
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 4,624
Bikes: Giant Defy, Trek 1.7c, BMC GF02, Fuji Tahoe, Scott Sub 35, Kona Rove, Trek Verve+2
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 722 Times
in
366 Posts
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 621
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I followed Mike's blog as he rode the Tour d'Afrique. His equipment page may be of interest - it mentions a Goal Zero charger.
https://www.bike2013.com/equipment/
https://www.bike2013.com/equipment/
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,951
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
12 Posts
I like using an auxillary AA battery pack like this one:
https://www.gomadic.com/garmin-edge-7...-extender.html
More Gomadic chargers/accessories for the 705, solar too...
https://www.gomadic.com/manufacturers...ame=Edge%20705
https://www.gomadic.com/garmin-edge-7...-extender.html
More Gomadic chargers/accessories for the 705, solar too...
https://www.gomadic.com/manufacturers...ame=Edge%20705
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: not here very long...
Posts: 94
Bikes: trek 820, schwinn highlander,hardtail 29er, Currie I-Zip 26" Electric bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
I just bought a Revolve Sol-sport 5 kit for $35. folding solar panel, cables & 2200mah lithium poly battery came with it.
Meijer.com has them on clearance.
Meijer.com has them on clearance.
#10
Zoom zoom zoom zoom bonk
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 4,624
Bikes: Giant Defy, Trek 1.7c, BMC GF02, Fuji Tahoe, Scott Sub 35, Kona Rove, Trek Verve+2
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 722 Times
in
366 Posts
Some of these things are battery packs that you charge from mains power, that also happen to have a fairly useless solar panel on them.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bangkok: hottest average temperature :(
Posts: 628
Bikes: *1998 GT Forte Ti 700c, Totem KDS-D 26" fatbike, BirdyGT 18", Brompton M2LX 16"
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 88 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Try to get a solar cell with a bigger output than your GPS' power requirements and maybe you can keep it running properly through cloudy conditions. You will want a battery in there to get you through the dark spots too. You need to do some math to decide how big a solar cell and battery you need.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,951
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
12 Posts
Try to get a solar cell with a bigger output than your GPS' power requirements and maybe you can keep it running properly through cloudy conditions. You will want a battery in there to get you through the dark spots too. You need to do some math to decide how big a solar cell and battery you need.
AAs are small, lightweight, universally available and can get you through periods where you can't charge from an electrical outlet. The 705 will run nearly 3 times as long on a set of 4 external AA batteries as it will off its internal battery.
Last edited by Looigi; 06-12-13 at 08:25 AM.
#13
Banned
Bigger the panel the better , bike trailer with a 4 square foot size perhaps?
I think the flexible brown cell is less efficient than the Rigid Blue ones.
maybe a Hub dynamo for juice when you are moving, the Panel for the campsite
I think the flexible brown cell is less efficient than the Rigid Blue ones.
maybe a Hub dynamo for juice when you are moving, the Panel for the campsite
Last edited by fietsbob; 06-12-13 at 06:49 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MementoMori
Touring
20
09-02-17 03:45 PM
rhm
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
17
10-23-15 08:01 AM
Stomper
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
11
10-02-12 02:09 PM
Niles H.
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
3
11-09-11 05:15 PM