Pocketable solar chargers?

[admin]

I want to get something for my girlfriend for her business trips to charge her phone (currently iPhone 4, looking to upgrade) and maybe her Kindle. I’m wondering if anyone’s had any luck with the small, inexpensive solar type chargers springing up all over the place on ebay & amazon.

I’d like it to be:
Chargeable via a wall outlet or solar
Minimum 1500mah capacity
1amp output or more.
Slim… Bout the size of an iPhone or smaller.
Charging level indicator
Bout 20 bucks

Seeing these on ebay, but quality and output (only 5.5v 800ma) are questionable and I don’t think it tells you how much juice it has left. Don’t wanna buy something that’s gonna crap out on her.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-2600mAh-USB-Solar-Power-Charger-Panel-Battery-For-Cellphone-MP3-PDA-etc-/390638903266?pt=US_Cell_Phone_PDA_Chargers&hash=item5af3e49fe2

[admin]

I wish I could help you. I bought one from harbor freight that kinda worked in theory…just not enough juice. I have a feeling I’m gonna be dropping some coin for a charger since ive added a small handheld 2m/70cm ameteur radio to my edc/survival/camping loadout…so now I need to be able to keep that charged along with extra AA’s and my iphone…#edcpeopleproblems.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[admin]

The only ones I’ve really used are made by Solar Technology International, and that’s the Freeloader and the Freeloader Pico. Neither, unfortunately is as much as 1500mAh.

The Freeloader is 1200mAh, and the Pico a mere 800mAh. Both charge (slowly) from the built-in solar cells but can be charged more rapidly by USB.

My experience with these two is that unless you’re going to be out away from sources of mains power for a significant period of time, you are far better just buying a basic rechargeable backup battery unit, the solar capabilities are not great enough to be worthwhile for day-to-day use and especially not in an urban setting. Great for a multi-day hiking/camping trip, pointless for urban use.

For the phone alone, a power case such as those made by Mophie would be far more practical. Don’t know about the Kindle though, depends what model she has.

[admin]

I don’t think anything solar powered that can fit in a pocket can generate enough power to make a difference.

All those charge ratings are under optimal conditions. This means that the panel is tilted towards the sun on a bright sunny day.

Get a external chargeable battery. There’s a thread in the forums, and The Wirecutter has a list of recommended ones. Charge every night when you’re sleeping, and during the day you’ll have 2x-4x more battery life.

Solar panels are for backcountry use. It’s not practical for everyday.

[admin]

I don’t think anything solar powered that can fit in a pocket can generate enough power to make a difference.

All those charge ratings are under optimal conditions. This means that the panel is tilted towards the sun on a bright sunny day.

Get a external chargeable battery. There’s a thread in the forums, and The Wirecutter has a list of recommended ones. Charge every night when you’re sleeping, and during the day you’ll have 2x-4x more battery life.

Solar panels are for backcountry use. It’s not practical for everyday.

[admin]

What is the brand and modle of your 4600mah?

[admin]

i dont know its got no writing on it not even where its made. i will put a pic up in a couple of minutes i did not notice that before
Xiii

[admin]

ok i found somthing on the back under the computer usb connection MB 3615 S 4600mah i could only find a MB3615 on the web looks the same but only 4000mah but no product name. So for size comparrison i used my newly recieved (today) 8cm Centipede from the EDCF shop. It has a computer usb on back to plug into computer for charging and a usb port on each side. it plugs in as per pic I have the iphone 4 adapter on the end of the cable it comes with 6 different adaptors. they just plug onto end of cable. It also has a built in light which last for ages. i am sorry about the quality of the pics its not the camera its the photographer.
Xiii

[admin]

2 days from bone dry? And 4600mah, single panel solar cell … Very amazing charge time. Time to go hunting. 🙂 tks.

[admin]

You may consider also Brunton’s items, models Restore and Explorer.
Expensive, but found positive comments on web.
Nick

[admin]

For the price and size you’re requesting, the tech does not exist. Maybe a folding panel kit, but even at the $150 mark you’ll be looking at less than an amp at 12v.

Here in New England, you need a large panel area to capture the sun – especially starting this time of year. Maybe you’re in AZ or NM. Depending on where you live drives the overall “capacity” of said panel.

For the price, size, and output maybe take a look at a 4x 18650 portable battery bank. That way when she’s on a trip, her charge times are not time of day dependent.

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