What solar charger specs should I be looking at to charge a tablet or phone?
Which Solar USB Charger for Tablet?
figarow on 14/04/2015 - 19:55
Comments
Much thanks. My phone is HUAWEI Y550. I also have a 10" Pendo Pad. Not really concerned with a fast charge so much as long as these devices can be fully charged in a few hours or 1 full overcast day, so the device can be used at night. I get confused by all the different specs, amps, volts, watts, etc. Was looking at this one.
1) Size: 165x135x2mm
2) Max. power: 3.5W
3) Max. voltage: 6V
4) Max. current: 583mAThe one you linked to seems to have a higher amp though (assuming 1000mA is 1amp?), does that make it faster charging?
Edit: not to confuse, I would only be charging 1 device at a time whichever one I decided to take camping.
Yes, the amperage determines how fast it charges.
The Y550 appears to ship with a 1.0a charger (1000mA) so in full sun the charger you linked will take twice as long to charge as you wall charger does at home.
The one I linked will take about the same time as a wall charger.
Both obviously rely on sunny weather. I'd be inclined to get the one I linked for the small extra cost, as it gives you the margin of error if it is overcast etc.
We take a jump starter camping similar to these, although this is obviously no good if you are hiking:
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/batteries-and-…
Ours has USB ports and the battery is 17Ah, enough to charge your phone from flat about 10 times. We use it for camp lights and to inflate air beds too and it lasts a week without needing a recharge.
And if you have kids you might want to consider the screen ban we have in place when camping, then you don't have the requirement at all ;-)
I think you bought the generic copy of the Levin, which may/not have a low grade battery and solar panel. DOn't get your hopes up thinking this will work anywhere near as well as plugging into a wall charger.
You could be right, however I did watch another video where the reviewer said he tried other generic ones and that they were all the same, ie same factory just rebranded. So based on that I think it's the same product. Either way the eBay feedback is good.
Usb is 5v and 0.5a or 1.0a for more power hungry devices. I think the ipad chargers go up to 2.5amp.
Something like this would charge them in the sun, but note it stores no power itself:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Solar-Power-Panel-Charger-USB-Uni…