small SOLAR chargers

[AngryScientist]

does anyone have experience with small solar chargers? i'm interested in the type you might be able to mount to the rack of a bike when touring to charge cell phone and/or gps unit.

the iPhone is so powerful as a navigating tool, camera, and way to communicate with friends and family, it is great until the battery is drained. on a multi-day adventure with no access to power, are any of the currently available products good and reliable.

i see a lot of stuff out there, small chargers, even some flexible panels sewn into messenger bags, etc.

any feedback on these?

[BobbyJones]

Not great output in the smaller panels- expect a full day of bright sun exposure for a usable charge.

Wayne at crazyguy just posted some great info on this:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1&doc_id=9258&v=OC

To go OT (or off question) Hub Dyno + Converter (eWerk, The Plug) seems to be the best solution.

[ORMojo]

The solar panel charger I use while backpacking/camping/etc. is bulky (read: old) enough that I've never considered taking it on an extended bike ride. So I too will be curious to see if any really good options turn up in this thread. I'd be in the market for the right device.

What I carry with me on some longer rides is the Zaggsparq. Essentially just a battery pack-based charger, but it does exactly what I bought it for and I'm very happy with it. Very small & light - 3.5" sq by 1" thick; 8.6 oz. - goes in back pocket for all-day trips. Claims to provide 4 full iPhone charges, seems to do the equivalent of at least that for my Blackberry, Garmin, and other devices I've charged from it, so it could get you through a shorter "multi-day" trip. Can simultaneously charge two devices, and one port is an "optimized" (high-speed) USB charging port to provide (much) faster charges to newer devices that support that standard.

Frequently on sale, I got mine for one-half the MSRP with free shipping.
http://www.zagg.com/accessories/zaggsparq.php
http://www.zagg.com/images/accessories/sparq4.jpg?1

I'll have to look into that dynohub converter idea, since I have a couple of bikes with said hub.

[retrofit]

Haven't tried this, but it looks promising:

Joos Orange (http://solarjoos.com/products)

Its size, approximately 9" x 6" x .8" and 1.5 lbs, might be ideal for touring or camping. It promises 1 hour sun = 2 hours 3G talk time.

[AngryScientist]

Haven't tried this, but it looks promising:

Joos Orange (http://solarjoos.com/products)

Its size, approximately 9" x 6" x .8" and 1.5 lbs, might be ideal for touring or camping. It promises 1 hour sun = 2 hours 3G talk time.

that is nice, thanks for the link.

[93legendti]

I keep this suction cupped to my windshield. It's the size of a smartphone.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00449U3K0/ref=oh_o06_s00_i00_details

[93legendti]

Another option:

http://www.amazon.com/Solio-Solar-Charger-Pearl-White/dp/B005AEQ43I/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1327970536&sr=1-1-catcorr

[AngryScientist]

I keep this suction cupped to my windshield. It's the size of a smartphone.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00449U3K0/ref=oh_o06_s00_i00_details

i sure like the price of this one. probably worth a shot just on cost alone.

[93legendti]

http://www.amazon.com/Powertraveller-Extreme-9000mAh-Charger-Playbook/dp/B004XNLM0C/ref=pd_vtp_e_5

[93legendti]

i sure like the price of this one. probably worth a shot just on cost alone.
That's what I thought. Bought one for my wife as well.

[93legendti]

Here's another option to expand battery life on your iPhone. I have one for my iphone and one for my son's itouch:

http://www.mophie.com/product-p/1059_jpa-ip3g-blk.htm

[93legendti]

Maybe this co. makes solar panniers?

http://www.ebags.com/product/eco-traveler/18-checkpoint-friendly-solar-backpack/225332?productid=10162990&sourceid=cseamazon&couponid=86786467

[thinpin]

I've used this freeloader pro (http://www.freeloaderpro.co.uk/) set up on a recent 10 week trip in Nepal. All I wanted from it was to keep enough charge in my digital camera batteries. Both of which were fully charged at the start. I just made it, and only just. Despite days of perfect sunny weather at 3500m+. The solar panel was mounted on top of my sac while moving and angled perfectly at the sun when not. I never fully charged my battery or the reserve (which was also full when we set out). I have since tried it here in Australian summer conditions also and it only 50% charged my iphone under pretty perfect conditions.

A friend with a Sunlinq (http://www.batterystuff.com/solar-chargers/PF6.5w.html) panel fare marginally better but he had a gps, video and satphone to keep happy.
All in all looks like the technology or the suns reliability is not quite there yet for the tiny stuff. The 6.5w sunlinq might be your man!

[struggle]

solar charger (http://www.goalzero.com/shop/p/11/Nomad%207%20Solar%20Panel/) This is what I used last year on RAGBRAI as I rode self-contained. It worked great and would even charge when there was overcoast non-direct light.

The reason I bought it was I used a larger panel from coleman that I hung on the side of the bike and if it was in anything less than full bright sun it would nto trigger my smart phone to charge.

This one triggered the charge everytime in overcast. It takes longer of course then direct sun but worked well for me. It has a usb port so you can also charge other things as well which I think most do that now anyways.

I bought it on RAGBRAI from a vendor not from this link FYI

[thinpin]

solar charger (http://www.goalzero.com/shop/p/11/Nomad%207%20Solar%20Panel/) This is what I used last year on RAGBRAI as I rode self-contained. It worked great and would even charge when there was overcoast non-direct light.

The reason I bought it was I used a larger panel from coleman that I hung on the side of the bike and if it was in anything less than full bright sun it would nto trigger my smart phone to charge.

This one triggered the charge everytime in overcast. It takes longer of course then direct sun but worked well for me. It has a usb port so you can also charge other things as well which I think most do that now anyways.

I bought it on RAGBRAI from a vendor not from this link FYI
At 7 watts it's similar in output and size to the sunlinq. I guess this is the minimum requirement need to effectively charge small devices.

[reptarlazer]

Another option:

http://www.amazon.com/Solio-Solar-Charger-Pearl-White/dp/B005AEQ43I/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1327970536&sr=1-1-catcorr
I'm not sure, I bought this same one, and it seems to take ages to charge, and even once it does, it doesn't retain much power. It just collects dust.

[rice rocket]

You know, they make phones with removable batteries too...

I have a cache of a half dozen batteries (at $4 or 5 bucks a pop), you'll never find me hugging the wall waiting for a phone to charge. :banana:

:fight:

[struggle]

The one I posted will charge pretty darn fast in direct sun. I was surprised at how well it worked. I don't recall actual time though.

Maybe two hours from a near dead battery.