[pct-l] solar charger for lithium batteries? "Gimicky" Solio?

Tue Feb 13 15:44:13 CST 2007

I've had a Solio for about 18 mos.  I've found it to be exactly what
its advertised to be.  I listen to my iPod and radio accessory rather
continously.  I'ts done the job for me.

Slow

On 2/12/07, Mike Saenz <msaenz at mve-architects.com> wrote:
> "...I would avoid silly gimicky versions such as the Solio..."
>
> I've been looking around for a solar charger since I got my new portable
> Sirius satellite radio receiver (The S-100. it's kinda like an I-Pod).
> I've talked to a few folks who have used the Solio and generally, they
> tell me that the output is less than desirable. However, I'm still
> leaning toward the Solio for a couple reasons:
>
> 1. I only want to charge my new satellite radio receiver while I'm using
> it.
> 2. The solar charger I want needs to be open while I'm hiking.
>
> I first considered the fold-out sheet-type chargers, but I can't see
> these draped across the back of my pack while I'm hiking. My satellite
> receiver operates on about 3.7V at 1370mAh. The Solio advertises an
> output of 4-12V and 0-1 Amp for a max continuous 155mA @ 6V. What this
> means (I'm not an electrical engineer, but what I've been told...), is
> that the Solio will provide enough charge to power my receiver while
> it's turned on but the "left over" charge is barely enough to re-charge
> the battery. To charge the battery, the receiver would need to be turned
> off so the charge is dedicated to re-charging the battery.
>
> At 5.6 ounces, it's much lighter that the 2.6 pounds of the lightest
> fold-out available from the web site you cited. Also- the Solio has am
> internal rechargeable battery that can be charged from a wall plug and
> provide 1600mAh at 3.6V (for how long with my receiver, I don't know).
>
> I've taken my new satellite receiver on a couple day hikes now and found
> that the two batteries it comes with provide 2 and 4 hours for each (it
> comes with a "slim" and a standard size batteries). So, if I hit the
> trail with fully charged batteries, I can expect to have 6 hours of use.
> Add this to the internal battery of the Solio and I can reasonably
> expect to get a full day's worth of use from my receiver.
>
> I don't plan on using my receiver continuously while hiking. So when
> it's not in use, it's being recharged. Of course, this all assumes there
> is sunlight, but that's the issue with all solar chargers. AND- When
> doing big-mile days, I'm walking from sun-up to sun-down, I can't stop,
> fold out a panel and wait for my device to re-charge.
>
> Now, back to the original description of the Solio being "gimmicky";
> What do you mean? From what I've seen and read, the Solio is just a
> simple solar charger. It doesn't do anything else more than other solar
> chargers on the market. Unless you think the 36 ounce difference in
> weight as a "gimmick". It IS a well designed device, aesthetically, and
> the fold-out "leaves" are a clever function as well. But just because
> it's a "better looking" device, I wouldn't call that a gimmick.
>
> I still have not completely made up my mind on solar chargers, so I
> would like to hear what others experiences have been with these. The
> chargers now on the market are MUCH better than what was available a
> couple years ago! It would be great to find one that has that perfect
> balance of weight/power output and be able to be mounted on a pack so
> it's in use while hiking. Maybe one of our esteemed UL pack
> manufacturers can offer a pack with integral solar panels in the pack
> panels itself!
>
> Michael  Saenz
> Associate Partner
>
> MVE & Partners, Inc. | Architecture + Planning + Interiors
> Irvine + Oakland + Honolulu
>
> 1900 Main Street, Suite 800 | Irvine, California 92614-7318 | T
> 949.809.3388 | www.mve-architects.com
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
> [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of c.engberg at cox.net
> Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2007 6:40 PM
> To: paul at bluebrain.ca; pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] solar charger for lithium batteries?
>
> This topic came up a while ago...
>
> The lightest weight solar chargers I can find that produce effective
> power are from a
> company called Powerfilm
> (http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/products/military/foldables/index.htm)
> and are availible from
> Sundance Solar in 5 and 10 watt versions
> (http://store.sundancesolar.com/po10wafosoba.html). REI also sells
> rollable solar panels
> from Brunton that look pretty decent. I would avoid silly gimicky
> versions such as the Solio
> (also available from REI and no offence to anyone that has one) which
> produces insufficient
> wattage to charge really anything effectively. Keep in mind watts
> produced per weight- more
> watts (at the same voltage) means batteries will charge faster. I would
> recommend at least
> five watts (at about 12 volts) to charge your camera batteries,
> especially if you have other
> electronic devices you plan on using or youll run out of time in the day
> to fully charge each.
>
> Basically you end up getting the panel which has a cigarete lighter
> output (male end) that
> you can connet that to anything you want with a female end (read-"car
> chargers").
>
> Minimum you are looking at about 6-10oz for a 5-10 watt panel (not
> including the weight of
> the actual battery and car charger) which isnt terrible considering the
> self reliance (although
> expensive). On a side note: if you feel comfortable voiding you warranty
> and the are handy
> with electronics, the wieght of car chargers can be trimmed down to next
> to nothing.
>
> You might also just consider how often you'll be using your camera over
> a 4-5day trip
> between each resupply and buy a few extra batteries then just plan on
> finding an outlet to
> "borrow" in town while you run and do errands, buy food, shower, hit the
> post office, etc.
>
> Another option might be to purchase a aftermarket eternal battery pack
> which offers the
> ability to use AA batteries for your camera. Not sure of your specific
> model so youll have to
> search on your own. This may be your lightest option and depending on
> the length of your
> trip, the cheapest, although over time this will become expensive (not
> to mention a waste of
> materials and not great for the environment).
>
> Hope this helps
> -chris
>
>
> On 11 Feb 2007 at 17:01, Paul Mitchell wrote:
>
> > Anybody know if it's possible to solar charge the lithium batteries
> that
> > camcorders run on?
> >
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