Solar Panel

[itsybitsy]

I would like to buy a small solar panel - enough to charge my phone/radio/laptop and rechargeable batteries. Any suggestions please? I am totally new to this solar lark, so please, no big words or confusing diagrams/explanations, please...

[jansman]

Have a look at 'Maplins'. They have a good website, and if you go in store , the staff are knowledgable and helpful. They sell all that kind of stuff.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Maplin are very expensive ...

Kiss

Battery (caravan type) try waudbys at elliker off A63

Solar panel On line photonic universe are good

Battery to CIG lighter adapter and plug in car type adapters....

[Yorkshire Andy]

Staying with kiss

In use with universal phone charger





On charge




I'd look for a minimum of a 30w panel ideally 60w for light use during the winter


Basic power rules

1/2 the ah rating for use able amps from a battery to avoid damage to it

100ah =50ah useable

Aprox draw of that charger pictured 1a per hour (ah)

30w panel on a good bright day puts in about 2a per hour
In short you need more in than you take out

[DustyDog]

I agree with Andy here, looked at Maplin and they did seem expensive. Photonic universe do have good write ups and their stuff seems well priced. I also have the cig lighter adapter that Andy has, bout £4 ish from Amazon, used it camping couple of weeks back, to power cool box and charge phones up, well worth it. I'd go for the best panel you can, that way as again Andy has said, it will work in winter and cloudy days.

[dazthechippy]

once again, Andy to the rescue - i like things simple, a bit like me really..

i must do something about these posts now and actually use the information to achieve something...

its on my list !

[Hamradioop]

I would like to buy a small solar panel - enough to charge my phone/radio/laptop and rechargeable batteries. Any suggestions please? I am totally new to this solar lark, so please, no big words or confusing diagrams/explanations, please...

have a look at the hubi system http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... +&_sacat=0 prices start at

£87.95 should meet most needs.
HUBi 2K can power http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... +&_sacat=0 prices

•Smart Phone: 3 charges
•Tablet: up to 2 charges
•Laptop: No
•12v TV: No
•Single LUMi Light: up to 7hrs
•12v Air Compressor: yes
•12v Tyre Inflator: yes
•12v Water Pumps: 0.5hrs
•12v DAB Radio: 1.5hrs
•12v LED Light Strip: up to 6hrs
•12v Portable Shower: up to 0.5hrs

HUBi 10K can power http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solar-Powered ... 2c9eed4890

•Smart Phone: 15 charges
•Tablet: up to 8 charges
•Laptop: up to 8hrs
•12v TV: up to 6-7hrs
•Single LUMi Light: up to 20hrs
•HUBi Fan: upto 6hrs
•12v Air Compressor: yes
•12v Tyre Inflator: yes
•12v Water Pumps: up to 3hrs
•12v DAB Radio: 6hrs
•12v LED Light Strip: up to 25hrs
•12v Portable Shower: up to 3hrs
•Fully charge HUBi from solar panels in average UK weather conditions: 7-10hrs
•Plug & Play

more info can be found here http://www.solartechnology.co.uk/solar- ... /Hubi-Kits

I have no interest in the Hubi system other than considering purchasing one as a customer.

user manual http://www.pluginsolar.co.uk/plugin/dow ... Manual.PDF

[Yorkshire Andy]

I do like that systems battery unit for its compsctness but its rather small on capacity

For very similar money you could build your own much bigger and expandable system...

http://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/cata ... clips.html

https://www.tayna.co.uk/Lucas-LX31MF-Le ... P7832.html


Very easy to wire there's 6 terminals with pictures 2 solar panel wires +& - battery wires +& - then 2 more which are your load aka power socket

[Hamradioop]

I do like that systems battery unit for its compsctness but its rather small on capacity

For very similar money you could build your own much bigger and expandable system...

http://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/cata ... clips.html

https://www.tayna.co.uk/Lucas-LX31MF-Le ... P7832.html


Very easy to wire there's 6 terminals with pictures 2 solar panel wires +& - battery wires +& - then 2 more which are your load aka power socket

yes that is a solution but you will need some knowledge to put a system together. where as with the Hubi most of it is done for you and is plug and play.

[Hamradioop]

additional items required with a self build system

4-Way Car Cigarette Lighter Socket-Splitter-USB-Charger-Power-Adapter-DC-12 @ £6.95 will not charge an iphone through usb port use a car adapter in ciggy lighter socket

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-in-1-Car-Va ... 1ea1b6eb15

12V-Car-Battery-Terminal-Clip-On-Cigar-Cigarette-Lighter-Power-Socket-Adapter '@ £5.49

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Car-Batte ... 4aece647a7

plus any lighting.