This Solar Charger uses PowerFilms latest high efficiency flexible solar cells that are sewn into a fold able fabric. The solar cells are then hooked up to a charge controller that is used to charge one or two AA NI-MH rechargeable batteries. There is an indicator light that flashes while the batteries are being charged and then lights continuously when the batteries are completely charged (essentially a floating charge as long as there is sunlight). I purchased this from www.solarworld.com for a very reasonable price of $59. The MSRP price is $99. The specifications say that it takes 2.5 hours to recharge the batteries when they are at 50% discharge and 5 hours when Fully discharged. This time will depend on the quality of sunlight available and also the battery capacity. This device ships with 2000 mAh batteries and I also tested with Duracell 2650 mAh cells. I found that when the 2000mAh cells were completely discharged (as evidenced by having them run my cell phone until the phone indicated that they were no longer providing power) it took about four hours to completely charge the batteries again in strong sunlight. I am currently testing the 2650 batteries to see how long they will run my cell phone. Stay tuned for more updates…
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Jon,
Glad to see that you’re giving the PowerFilm charger a try.
PowerFilm is based in Ames, Iowa. I’m Pat N0HR, the VP of Quality & Process Improvement at PowerFilm. Our VP of Engineering is also a ham.
I’m sure that many hams have use for solar power in ham radio - charging small batteries and large. Backpackers especially love our products for small hiking ham radio adventures.
Anyway, let me know if you have any questions or issues.
73
Pat N0HR
PowerFilm: http://www.powerfilmsolar.com
N0HR: http://www.n0hr.com
Nice to meet you Pat. I saw your products at the 2010 CES Show and was very impressed. So far I really like what I have seen with the USB+AA Solar Charger. It is simple and works as advertised. I have also ordered the PowerFilm® F15-3600. So stay tuned for my review on that as well. I am really looking forward to testing it as well as integrating it into my power systems.
Here is an update. I have been using NIMH AA cells in my cordless mice (logitech Anywhere MX). I charged the batteries with a LENMAR PRO541 charger and then started using them in one of my mice. These lasted for 13 days before the light on top began turning red indicating that the voltage was less than optimal. But I am still able to use it and will continue using it until it no longer works. I will then charge the batteries in the PowerFilm USB+AA Solar Charger and compare the run times and report back. I will probably need to do this at least 10 times to get the optimum results. This may not be the best application for NIMH batteries due to the short shelf life of this battery chemistry. So my next set of tests for solar power I want to do with some type of Lithium technology. I have been trying to purchase the RA-5 for this testing but no one seems to have it in stock. I have purchased the RA-4 and will be reporting my findings on that and will be comparing it with the USB+AA charger. By the way the batteries that I am using are DURACELL rechargeable 2650mah NiMh. Your mileage may vary using other brands.
Have you any new news on the charger. Does it have a USB mother connector besides the charger (it should but I cannot find proof)? Is there any way you could measure the output of the USB, in Volts and Amps, at least volts while it’s charging a phone… I have bought a couple of solar USB chargers and they deliver under 5V and my SE Vivaz will not charge so I am really cautious now.
Any info would be great. Thank you.