Briefcase style solar panels - which ones?

[Emma&Al]

Ive decided to buy something like this. Id like it to charge my phone ideally, perhaps a laptop or an iPad or similar (although I think that may require quite a bit more power).

So far Ive seen these

http://www.bimblesolar.com/usb-solar-6w-sunpower" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/13w-solar-briefcase-n00cx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Id prefer to buy from Bimble, ethically speaking. But do I need 6w or 13w?

[itchyfeet]

These are vehicle battery chargers, they charge the batt to replace what you take out.
you only get 6 or 13 w in full sun so you need a panel that is rated more than you need.
to be honest these are toy chargers, go for something bigger and don't buy from maplin they are expensive.

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 0#p8091884" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Emma&Al]

Yeah Im not that keen on Maplins to be honest.
The 6w one has a usb charger - i thought you could plug your phone charger directly in to that? Hmmm.

Thanks itchy feet - so how much was your panel and where did you get it from? Id be a bit worried about leaving one outside, especially as I do a lot of festival camping...and last year someone even nicked my water cap on a Talbot Camper I had.... :-/

[California Dreamin]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Portable- ... Swq7JUFbki" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Mildly useful power....wouldn't buy anything less.

Martin

[kevtherev]

I can agree with Martin, anything less is pointless.

[CovKid]

Ditto. As we don't get much full sun in the UK, they're not even likely to see a fraction of their rated output and this even applies to bigger ones so maximum potential is a moot point. I got mine to help get around the short journeys I do in the week on overcast or even Winter days and I gradually increased capacity to a total of 200 watts until it did what I actually needed.

Lots of wild if not outrageous claims about solar output. In reality you need far more surface area than you think and the small 6w and 13w ones are a waste of time (and money). Ghost and I once ran some tests on a 6w panel and discovered that it barely had enough power to make the blue LED flash and that was in mid-summer. We calculated it would take over a week to charge a phone and even then, only if there was consistent full sun.

As Martin says, a 60w one has at least some useable power if you're prepared to sit near it to avoid it being stolen, and happy to keep moving it. If not you have to double or even treble the size for a fixed (ie flat) one which is the route I went. Some will happily pay £400+ for a set of wheels so £250 for (almost) all the power you can eat is relatively cheap.

Looking at the Maplins one, for less than twice the price (£150) you could buy a flexible 100w panel kit and be done with it.

[itchyfeet]

Thanks itchy feet - so how much was your panel and where did you get it from? Id be a bit worried about leaving one outside, especially as I do a lot of festival camping...and last year someone even nicked my water cap on a Talbot Camper I had.... :-/

The 60w one in my post was a bit more expensive than the ebay one Martin posted because I went for a Bosch panel (although most just now say German cells) I it was 140 quid off ebay last summer but no longer listed by the same seller.

like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60W-folding-s ... Sw9N1Vw-QL" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There were some holes on the frame ( drill some if not) I fitted a padlock and chain to the van, yes it could still be nicked but much less likely.

[lloydy]

For charging a phone/iPad I wouldn't bother with a tiny solar charger.. Most phones now need at least 1.2 amps input to charge.
I've been using one of these for a while now https://www.amazon.co.uk/Energizer-5080 ... B016ZKBR0K" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Will give you 4+ charges and can fit in your pocket. When it goes flat just charge it up again in your 12v socket or plug it in to 240v when back home.

[Winchweight]

Got one of these and its excellent. Feels flimsy but works well.

http://www.beamled.com/120w-folding-sol ... l-kit.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kevtherev]

For charging a phone/iPad I wouldn't bother with a tiny solar charger.. Most phones now need at least 1.2 amps input to charge.
I've been using one of these for a while now https://www.amazon.co.uk/Energizer-5080 ... B016ZKBR0K" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Will give you 4+ charges and can fit in your pocket. When it goes flat just charge it up again in your 12v socket or plug it in to 240v when back home.

Well that's no conversation starter is it
Solar panels say "hey look at this.. "

[tforturton]

Big flexi panel on the roof, plus two big leisure batteries, and you're done. Should cope with most things.

[itchyfeet]

Big flexi panel on the roof, plus two big leisure batteries, and you're done. Should cope with most things.

Thats more than the op needs for charging a laptop or phone.

[Emma&Al]

Okay so I'm getting the jist that I need much more than what I was originally going for!!
So the question is should I get something mounted on top of the van then? or go for a briefcase style 60w panel?

[kevtherev]

Okay so I'm getting the jist that I need much more than what I was originally going for!!
So the question is should I get something mounted on top of the van then? or go for a briefcase style 60w panel?

You should go what you're comfortable with.
Panels on the roof means not only charging the phone and laptop.
It also means you can kiss goodbye to hook up forever.

It depends on the step you want to take
Portable or permanent.

[Emma&Al]

Hmm...well id love permanent. I guess I have to look at how much that setup will cost - if I was to roof mount. Im sure this topic has been exhausted , so I apologise to those who've had to discuss it a gazillion times with others!
A 60w looks like as much as I'd need (I think?!) - I have solar power fairy lights, so lights aren't too much of an issue. I don't have a fridge, so it would only be for charging appliances I guess.