Solar charging devices. Any good?

In message <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] writes

Quoted message said:

I've got an extended walk comming up. I know my plane hasn't crahsed
in the Gobi desert or anything like that, but the next electricity
source isn't guarenteed.
I've bought a device called 'FreeLoader' which is a couple of
photoelectric panels & a lithium battery.
I've stuck Velcro to the top of my rucksack & the back of the device
so it can charge while I walk.
Has anyone used similar?
How did it perform?

David.

I've got one and it does charge up the internal Lithium-Ion cells well
when it's working properly (and these then charge up your PDA/Phone/MP3
player via the output adapters). My concern is that it is nowhere near
rugged enough when it is opened out with the solar panels on each side.
One of the charging LEDs on mine doesn't light up any more. It's not
the plug-in solar panels (as swopping them from side-to-side has
showed), but is a problem with the central battery unit. I don't know
if both panels are charging properly or not. At least I'm an electronic
hardware designer so I don't have too many fears about opening up the
centre bit to have a look inside. (Of course I was foolish and didn't
save the Maplins receipt when I bought it)
--
Chris Morriss

Chris Morriss said:

In message <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] writes

Quoted message said:

I've got an extended walk comming up. I know my plane hasn't crahsed
in the Gobi desert or anything like that, but the next electricity
source isn't guarenteed.
I've bought a device called 'FreeLoader' which is a couple of
photoelectric panels & a lithium battery.
I've stuck Velcro to the top of my rucksack & the back of the device
so it can charge while I walk.
Has anyone used similar?
How did it perform?

Quoted message said:

David.

I've got one and it does charge up the internal Lithium-Ion cells well
when it's working properly (and these then charge up your PDA/Phone/MP3
player via the output adapters). My concern is that it is nowhere near
rugged enough when it is opened out with the solar panels on each side.
One of the charging LEDs on mine doesn't light up any more. It's not
the plug-in solar panels (as swopping them from side-to-side has
showed), but is a problem with the central battery unit. I don't know
if both panels are charging properly or not. At least I'm an electronic
hardware designer so I don't have too many fears about opening up the
centre bit to have a look inside. (Of course I was foolish and didn't
save the Maplins receipt when I bought it)
--
Chris Morriss

Cheers Chris,
That's interesting.
Shame it's not very rugged.
Do you think I would seriously degrade it's performance if i housed
the whole thing in an outer transparent plastic case?

In message <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] writes

Quoted message said:

Chris Morriss said:

In message <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] writes

Quoted message said:

I've got an extended walk comming up. I know my plane hasn't crahsed
in the Gobi desert or anything like that, but the next electricity
source isn't guarenteed.
I've bought a device called 'FreeLoader' which is a couple of
photoelectric panels & a lithium battery.
I've stuck Velcro to the top of my rucksack & the back of the device
so it can charge while I walk.
Has anyone used similar?
How did it perform?

Quoted message said:

David.

I've got one and it does charge up the internal Lithium-Ion cells well
when it's working properly (and these then charge up your PDA/Phone/MP3
player via the output adapters). My concern is that it is nowhere near
rugged enough when it is opened out with the solar panels on each side.
One of the charging LEDs on mine doesn't light up any more. It's not
the plug-in solar panels (as swopping them from side-to-side has
showed), but is a problem with the central battery unit. I don't know
if both panels are charging properly or not. At least I'm an electronic
hardware designer so I don't have too many fears about opening up the
centre bit to have a look inside. (Of course I was foolish and didn't
save the Maplins receipt when I bought it)
--
Chris Morriss

Cheers Chris,
That's interesting.
Shame it's not very rugged.
Do you think I would seriously degrade it's performance if i housed
the whole thing in an outer transparent plastic case?

Thin clear plastic allows most of the optical and UV spectrum through,
so it'll still work perfectly. (I've already checked this on solar
panels for boat use)
--
Chris Morriss