Solar power is continuously gaining momentum and popularity. There are now solar chargers designed to power cell-phones, cars, laptops, etc. The solar charger harnesses energy form the sun and stores the energy within its battery for later use.

Typically, a solar charger can hold on to its charge for up to a year. The advantage to using a solar charger is that it eliminates all of those unnecessary, bulky chargers for every electronic device.

It may be difficult to choose between the best solar chargers because there are a lot of great models out there that basically perform the same functions. Upon being fully charged, the solar charger can fill a cell-phone’s life twice or play up to twenty hours of music.

Our top market selection includes:

• Go Power! GPDL-20 20-Watt Self Regulating Unbreakable Solar Module
• Sunforce 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit
• Brunton 26 Watt Foldable Solar Array
• HQRP 20W Mono-crystalline Solar Panel

Solar battery chargers 101

Keep in mind that Your panel will produce 100% full wattage output when placed on direct sunshine

Before buying a portable solar power system, it’s good to answer these questions:

• How long would the solar panel take to charge a 12 volt battery?
• What’s the ideal wattage for a solar charger?
• How can I control if it works fine?
• Will it fry my battery?

Most models have an illuminated LEDs that lets you know the panel is charging. Other have a built in controller to block the charge when the battery is full.

When You buy one, You’ll get quick connectors like cigarette lighter adaptors and battery clamps.

Choose the right solar recharger

To explain in further detail about the conversion, basically an hour of sunshine will equal about an hour of music, or 25 minutes of conversation. The batteries in most solar units last up to about a year, and the charger works with numerous gadgets: Bluetooth, iphone, games, digital cameras, etc.

The charger is extremely light and easy to transport making it optimal for travel purposes.

The General rule to calculate the average charge time:

Take Amp/hour rating of the battery and Divide by the charger rating (in amperes) and then add about 10% for the extra time to top off the battery

I.e. Assuming You have a typical full size auto battery, it is about 50 amp hours.

To Calculate how much time You’ll need to charge the battery with a 15 Watt solar charger You’ll need:

1. Calculate the Ampere per hour of the charger: 15 Watts /12 Volts = 1,25 Amperes
2. Calculate the division: 50 amp hours / 1,25 ampers = 40 Hours of direct sunlight
3. Add 10%: 4 hours

A 15 watt charger is great for vehicles such as cars, boats, ATV’s, even electric fences. 7  watts are perfect for laptops and camcorders. A 2  watt charger is perfect for cell phones, ipods, and smaller cameras.

There is a formula to help describe the way solar energy works: the output for solar energy is described as watts. The wattage can be understood by multiplying the voltage by the amperage.

More specifically: volts x amps x watts = / e.g. a six volt 30 watt solar panel measuring ten by 22 inches has a voltage of about 8.55, and amperage of 1.75.

One can determine the correct amount of wattage needed based on how much each electronic device expels.

Solar Battery Controllers

In most case a solar charger controller is highly recommended. The Solar Controller will continuously monitor the charge and cut it off when charging is complete.

It helps in:

• Preventing overcharge
• Improve charge quality
• Prevent battery discharge in low or no light conditions.

Some solar panels are made with blocking diodes pre-installed they prevent battery discharge during low or no light conditions.

Once connected, you can charge your 12-volt battery nonstop for days without damaging the battery.

Inverters

Inverters turn DC (Direct current) power into AC (alternate current) power, the type of current that powers everyday appliances.

Final Suggestions

There is no need to buy multiple solar chargers for each electronic device owned, so invest in one with the best quality. If the solar charger is needed to power a lot of devices frequently, makes sure to buy an additional panel at about fifty dollars to ensure the maximum access to available sunlight; this panel allows for powering two laptops at once, and it should feel good to know that the electronic devices are functioning on renewable energy.

For cars it makes sense to purchase a solar charger that sits on the dashboard and soaks up the sun. These are not designed to jump start the car battery, but rather to keep the existing car battery at full charge and functioning.

Basically, if used properly it can extend the battery’s life, which of course saves money in the long run. Therefore, when individuals use many gadgets by plugging them up to the cigarette lighter, the solar charger helps against stress and fatigue that is placed on the battery.

Of course it is still possible to find one solar charger that supplies power to all electronic devices, including a car battery. As mentioned previously, there are many really good choices out there, so investigate properly, ask professionals which best fits their needs and enjoy the fact that you are participating in the usage of renewable energy, an environmentally wise choice.

Our top market selection includes:

• Go Power! GPDL-20 20-Watt Self Regulating Unbreakable Solar Module
• Sunforce 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit
• Brunton 26 Watt Foldable Solar Array
• HQRP 20W Mono-crystalline Solar Panel

Overall Rating:

Description: It’s a panel designed to avoid natural battery discharge or electronic drain in all deep cycle batteries (RV, boat, truck, mobile home, car).  The solar charger start working when exposed to daylight. An illuminated LEDs lets you know if the panel is charging. You can fix it near a constant sunlight source.

On This Page

• Uses
• Where to Buy and Coupons
• Ratings in details
  • Price
  • Performances
  • Dimensions
  • Usability
• Accessories
• Share Your Thoughts

Uses: Keep charged all deep cycle batteries

Where to Buy & Coupons: Amazon

Ratings in Details

Price:

Nearly 100 Dollars is a good price considering its performances and wattage.

Performances:

The solar panel doesn’t have the wattage to do a complete recharge a deep cycle battery in 1 day. One of the drawbacks of this panel is that most people have noted a discharge on the battery after the charge indicator is off, even though the connected devices are either turned off or not plugged in. To avoid this battery drain the solution is to add a switch.

Dimensions:

Length:41.34 inches Width:18.31 inches Height:2.95 inches

Usability:

It has a blue indicator light on it that shows that it is working.

Made in USA?: Imported.

Accessories: Brunton Solar Controller 12-Volt Battery Charge Monitor

Share Your Thoughts: If you’ve bought the Coleman 18 Watt Battery Charger, tell us what you think.

Note: Comments in the resources section may occasionally be pruned.

If you value technology and you’re simply always away from home, you might want to consider a solar GPS charger. These little devices are especially great for the camper, the traveler, hikers, outdoorsy and wilderness types, road warriors and frequent flyer’s, and international and business travelers.

Another option would be to buy a GPS device which has a built-in solar panel to ensure that it charges without the necessity of one more charger. The Proporta GPS receiver is a great demonstration of this type of device.

The Garmin Nuvifone G60 Solar Charger may also be charged in indirect sunlight, or pre charged via USB from any computer or USB charger if you’re say visiting Alaska at nighttime season and aren’t able to find any sunlight. Guarantee power when it’s needed.

Now, just in case you’re focused on your device with all of this fancy charging, be assured: The circuit design protects your device from overcharging and short-circuiting. An LED indicator light tells you once the solar panel receives power from the sun, and another LED tells you when power is available for the device to charge from.

Solar Charger Power Pack Powerful enough to charge all your portable electronics

I purchased this because I needed something small to retain in my briefcase when ever I needed extra power for my Tomotom GPS receiver, as well as due to this item’s claimed solar recharge ability. The item comes with a lot of different tips.

1. The product did power my GPS for 2 hours. However this system took 3 1/2 hours to recharge in an AC outlet. A portable charger shouldn’t require a lot longer to recharge versus the charge it supplies. As well as for an extended plane or car ride, this unit would quickly “exhaust gas.”

2. When the product is charging within an Alternating current outlet, it is possible to simultaneously power a gadget. That’s fairly standard with any portable power supply. I was hoping, however, which i could possibly do the same using a solar charge when i had sunlight on this unit for an hour or two. No such luck. Instead this unit powered my GPS receiver for only a short time after being exposed to the sun for a few hours and never achieving a complete charge.

3. Any portable power source eventually loses power. However after a couple of days during my briefcase this unit lost more power than I was expecting.

Main point here: This unit works, but features a limited power capacity when compared with other portable chargers. The downside is that it’s smaller and much more compact than most portable chargers, therefore if size instead of charging capacity is much more important, this unit will do just fine. However because the solar charge takes so long, and because the unit won’t power a gadget after a solar charge (as opposed to an AC outlet charge), the solar charge feature has limited usefulness.

Brunton SolarRoll 14 Solar Charger

Brunton’s next-generation solar device could be the ultimate way of powering your equipment in the field. Despite the fact that the SolarRoll 14 weighs just 17 ounces, it’s able to produce 14 Watts of power–enough juice to perform a GPS. Simply stated, here is the item to carry along if you want sufficient, reliable energy without additional weight or bulk.

Solio Universal Hybrid Solar Charger (Silver)

I reluctantly returned the product after a couple weeks. It simply doesn’t charge in sunlight just how I was expecting it to.

The manual say it requires 2 days of sun to completely charge the battery. I placed it in a West facing window for a week and it never fully charged. The manufacturer said the most common stuff. Window coating can diminish results, clouds, haze, etc. As well as the instructions say it needs to be pointed right in the sun to charge correctly. So if you’re driving West using the device on the front windshield it still won’t charge correctly.

Fatcat™ Solar Charger enables you to recharge anywhere, any moment. This versatile battery pack holds 2-three times the electricity required for any GPS. Which means you are able to recharge several devices between pit stops, or use your electronics for extended time periods.

It has a USB port to plug in all portable electronics, and can be completely recharged on just 5-10 hours of sunlight, or with the included dual-voltage AC adaptor. Whether you’re traveling, or in your own home after a power outage, this dependable power supply won’t ever leave you stranded, and also functions as an emergency LED flashlight. Includes adaptor tips for all electronics, and a cloth travel bag. (5½ x 3 x 1″; 7.8 oz)

I’m pubblishing a mail sent by Aaron:

So… I’ve spent the last few hours looking through you website… and there’s some GREAT information here… but a lot of it is very technical… I’m looking for a solar unit to keep the battery on my motorcycle charged through the winter months…

Wow Thank You Aaron, this is an hobby site and reading your words is very important to me!

I’m looking for basically a trickle charger, but something with an automatic shut-off so it won’t overcharge and boil the battery…

Yes all You need is a simple solar charger with a solar charge controller

I’ve seen several different models, but I really don’t know what I’m looking at most of the time. If I need to add a 12V outlet to plug the panel into (as I’ve seen quite a few that just plug into the lighter socket) that’s no big deal, I can do that.  I was just wondering if you could give me
some direction on what I should be looking for… You may or may not be comfortable recommending a specific model, but if so, I’m definitely interested in that… You seem to know what you’re talking about on these issues.

Yes Aaron there are different types of solar chargers, some are good to charge and power batteries and some are good to maintain the battery charged. Here there is a simple “guess so ” Solar panels review chart with a series of points (n° of fingers) for each panel model. If You need a panel good only to charge maintenance and with a cheap price have a look at Coleman Solar 4.5-Watt 12-Volt Deep-Cycle Battery Charger #CL-300

Thanks in advance for your help, and for a wonderful website!!

Thank You too for reading and contacting!

Enrico

The system is based on a paper thin the outside of the bag, it’s a flexible solar panel. It charges a battery pack located inside the bag.

Place the solar panel towards the sun to collect energy (window, home, car, café, walk/bike around). The battery pack will hold the sun’s energy for several days.

Here the screen shot of the user manual available here:

The battery box will keep its charge for a few days if not used. The battery box will take about 6-8 hours of full sun to completely charge.

If the battery box is fully charged, you can get one full charge or more of your device depending on its size.

Technical Details:

• Selectable output voltage of DC 5.2V, 6.2V, 7.2V.
• Internal battery is 3.6V, 3600mAH.
• FCC certified and CE approved.

Solar Panel

• Output is 7.2v, 300mA.

Overall Rating:

Description: This solar charger is designed to protect against natural battery discharge and electronic drain in RVs, boats, trucks, or mobile homes.

On This Page

• What I Liked
• What Needs Improvement
• Where to Buy and Coupons
• Ratings in details
  • Packaging & Design
  • Price
  • Performances
  • Usability
• Accessories
• Share Your Thoughts

What I Liked: For its wattage the panel works good for maintaining deep cycle batteries full charged.

What Needs Improvement: Surely the global wattage output. The panel is not good for charging flat batteries or using it to power devices.

Where to Buy & Coupons: Amazon

Ratings in Details

Package & Design:

It’s a thin panel that looks like a little black board

Installation:

Illuminated LEDs lets you know the panel is charging. In the package are included mounting screws. The charger is plug-in-play compatible for quick connections, and a cigarette lighter adapter and a battery clamp are also included with the panel.

Price:

I looked around and this is a very good price for a solar charger of this wattage.

Performances:

As battery charge maintainer it works well. Battery looks to stay charged much longer with this attached. It produces small current in full sunlight that it can only maintain the existing charge of a battery.

Usability:

The ad copy clearly states “Water resistant” but the instructions state that it is not suitable for outdoor use.

Made in USA?: Imported.

Accessories: Brunton Solar Controller 12-Volt Battery Charge Monitor

Share Your Thoughts: If you’ve bought the Coleman 4.5 Watt Battery Charger, tell us what you think.

Note: Comments in the resources section may occasionally be pruned.