New Solar Panel pictures - Goal Zero

[dangerman]

Here is my new solar panel - it's the Goal Zero Boulder 15. It's a 15w panel and made from proper solar materials so it can be left outside. It's about the size of a large laptop which is perfect for me since I'll probably attach it to the top of my large holdall on the back of my motorcycle. No worries about rain or anything. In the pictures you should be able to see the cable - it has a 4.7mm output, but I was able to have GZ send me the 4.7mm to 8mm adapter as well as a 12v outlet. The is handy so that I can use all types of GZ batteries and I can use my Guardian adapter to charge my leisure battery or motorcycle/car battery. I can also stick anything I want into the 12v outlet, I've bought a 3.1a duel output USB to stick in there for now.









I paid $49 for it - about £33ish. Which is a bargain because it's a lot more usually - probably at least double.

I know I'm paying for the brand name, but I really like GZ stuff. I'm always on the hunt for one of their bargains.

[hobo]

GZ do look good. I'm hoping for another 20+ years from my various panels (no GZ unfortunately) so no more for me. Next big purchase will be batteries in a few years.

[dangerman]

Couple more taken with a different camera - I was using phone in these pictures before.





Seems to be nice and quick charging my phone. Got 20% in no time at all - I've taken note of start time so will note later. I'm using a 2.1a USB and I expect a fluctuating power output. The original wall USB has a higher output I think, so I'm not expecting wonders.

[dangerman]

GZ do look good. I'm hoping for another 20+ years from my various panels (no GZ unfortunately) so no more for me. Next big purchase will be batteries in a few years.

Aye, they're supposed to last for decades aren't they? If you look after the batteries is there any reason they won't last for decades too?

[Wulfshead]

My lad is working on our solar prep project so I'll show him this thread when he gets in from work tomorrow, thanks for posting
He is OK with domestic and guitar equipment but solar is making him scratch his head a bit.
Still at least he will have another string to his prepping bow when it's all figured out and made easier by examples such in this thread.

Wulfshead

[dangerman]

If something is making him scratch his head then it's probably out of my league too.

I just plug stuff in and point it at the sun. Hey presto!

[Yorkshire Andy]

My lad is working on our solar prep project so I'll show him this thread when he gets in from work tomorrow, thanks for posting
He is OK with domestic and guitar equipment but solar is making him scratch his head a bit.
Still at least he will have another string to his prepping bow when it's all figured out and made easier by examples such in this thread.

Wulfshead

bit of reading for your son

http://batteryuniversity.com/

http://www.bimblesolar.com/solardesign

http://www.backwoodssolar.com/home-power-basics

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/w ... -grid.html

http://www.motherearthnews.com/homestea ... z3NzeeWqp5

http://www.homepower.com/articles/solar ... pv-systems

[Wulfshead]

Thanks Andy on behalf of my son & me.

I'll tell you what I enjoyed so much about this xmas, this project and spending the lads site shutdown spending quality prepping time with my lad.
Travelling from Chelmsford to the money areas of London and back each day leaves him knackered when he gets in.
Our weekdays went something like this;
Find out why something ain't working as it should,
Look on youtube for clues,
Go into town for bits,
Get sidetracked into Costa's for a sticky toffey latte,
Buy the bits,
Go home,
Work on the project thus far.

All my immediate family have got the prepping bug and I am lucky each brings a skill to the table.
My lad will enjoy reading those links so thanks again.
I miss that father-son working together time and I taught my son his trade up till my fall. I very much miss the laughs we had and very happy prepping projects bring us back on the same page, albeit at weekends mainly.

This is what I also love about UKP, you post something and there is somebody who jumps in to give you a digital helping hand, UKP community at its best methinks

Wulfshead

[dangerman]

Lesson learned: No 1

Without a charge controller, this badboy will possibly discharge your gadget. I left it in the shade and my phone barely received any charge at all. Should I have left it connected I imagine it would have continued to discharge my phone at a faster rate than it would have done on its own.

Once I'm home I'll connect to the charge controller, attach to my old battered motorcycle (buffer) battery and see how consistent the charge from the panel is. By my calculations it should charge my iPad every day and my phone twice a day minimum. Even in cloudy NW England.

TBC

[DustyDog]

Can you charge any battery or phone from this or does it have to be a GZ power pack, if so how would you connect them, looks damn good piece of kit though, just looked on Amazon UK, they charging £80, so it was a bargain, where did you purchase if you dont mind me asking???