While there are many ways to make the job of charging batteries and electronic devices using solar energy, we will meet to focus on different solutions that have been tested and proven, and the most common. We recommend using PowerFilm rollable solar cells, the most appropriate market for marine portable and strapping on the decks of kayaks and canoes.
Step 1: Estimate your power needs
The first step in creating a solarTo determine the power of kayaking or canoeing expeditions on the need for total power, and decide to get a solar panel. Watt-hour is a measure of battery capacity. For example, digital cameras that require 50-10 watt-hours, mp3 player needs 5 need for laptops up to 65 years.
Then, decide how many times you free of charge to the various components. For example, if your digital SLR camera is loaded when the canoe or kayak, you want to know that with a typical use, you get 3 daysthe camera battery before needing to recharge, then your needs are whrs 15 over 3 days = 5 whrs / day
To complete this example we will add the need for two AA batteries each day for a GPS device and an iPod every two days. Total daily consumption of electricity: 12 whrs
For portable applications, such as us to be cautious when estimating the generation of electricity from solar cells. It 's almost impossible to obtain the ideal platform for a solar panel, if you simply tied to the deck of the kayak,draped over your tent or distribution from rail to rail on the canoe. Thus, the solar production is only about half of what could be a mature plant roof. Based on this assumption we can calculate that a 5 watt panel would meet our needs, minimize costs and to minimize the size and weight to carry. Remember that this is our current account, and then we have to live in this amount. The other advantage of minimizing the solar system, as far as possible, that fit on the bridgeYour canoe or kayak. PowerFilm Solar manufactures a range of flexible solar cells developed for use on boats. They are designed to take the dashboard connected with marine applications, and are equipped with the best connections we've seen on a portable solar panel. The R-7 7Watt sliding panel is the smallest in this line of marine-grade, so that the panel would we choose for our example.
Step 2: Choose a conectors Power and battery
Next is to choose a batteryTo save the package on solar energy. Should be small and light so that is not loaded canoe or kayak is no longer necessary. What does it take for the ports you need to send all devices. It should also store enough energy to get you through the times when the sun is not shining as we hope. We want to make an estimate that is less than the daily requirement. In our example, this would mean a storage capacity of at least 12 watt-hours.
Want to work from direct solar radiationPanel, and not in possession of a power-battery-pack? We have to see if the desired device can charge to do so. Read more ...
In our example above, we need the following lines ... USB: for our phone jack: for our camera and AA-battery-charger. Wait! Power is not an option in this small power plants. AC inverter does not work directly from solar cells, and small-power lithium-ion batteries are not able to drive up to asmall inverter. What should I do?
Fortunately, many coming after market lithium camera battery chargers are equipped with a 12V car adapter in addition to the AC adapter. There are also AA battery charger can be powered via USB or 12VDC vehicle power sockets. So, you can get to 12Vdc output directly from the solar module and a USB car adapter, at this point it seems that we can choose to load all our equipment directly from solar and battery power. But we have to go solarright?
We almost always consult with direct solar energy only if the trip is short, the weather is good (and reliable), and the solar panel is actually only needed to recharge the batteries if necessary. According to the package of energy storage is an important source of energy reserve for times when the sun do not mix. It also allows the charger to the best of prices, instead of staying back when you get what the solar panel in a position of the sun. They are alsobe able to capture more energy from the sun during the day.
For our example, we recommend the package Voltaic. The capacity is slightly greater than our need of a day, and it is very small and light. It also contains all the capabilities we need a USB connector and 12V. Although the Voltaic-Pack is not supported Targus camera battery charger for 7.4V, the charger this function by connecting the camera are taken directly to the panel. If the energy storage packyou need to go to the Targus charger battery 7.4 V, then the best option would be to select the unit Voltaic "generator" of the battery.
What About AA batteries?
For most of the canoeing and kayaking expeditions, is one of the most common needs we hear from AA-battery charging for things like GPS receivers and radio. We advise customers to consider two scenarios ... 1 Direct solar charging of AA batteries with a battery of the second average power
In the first option ... TheSolar panel connected directly to an input DC-AA-battery charger. We recommend the following pair equipment ... PowerFilm PowerFilm R15-300 or R-7 Targus Mini 12v DC AA Battery Charger
The battery charger operates whenever the light is bright enough, and is free to the maximum rate of solar panels in the lighting conditions. For example, the 5-watt solar panel 2 batteries a day, from late spring to early autumn in office. Most people will be a "spin battery", where couplesBatteries in the charger, loaded and ready, the device and wait for sales. Every day, replaced the batteries and move the rotation. In this way, charged batteries are never mixed with partially charged batteries in the unit. If you want more power and more batteries per day for 10W or 14W PowerFilm update panel. This is a maximum of 8 AA batteries in a summer free of charge.
The second option ... This network allows you to store solar energyduring the day, and take the power when you need it, even at night. Apart from the fact that access to power at any time, an important advantage of using a half Battey is able to operate the charger at their peak rate, and not just at the present rate of solar panel. We recommend the following equipment ... PowerFilm PowerFilm R15-300 or R-7 ZAP! R07-PL2 Battery Targus AA Battery Charger
Or, for more performance, combine panels from 10W or 14W-voltaic battery and forThe Targus USB AA Battery Charger.
NOTE: It 'essential that all the batteries have sufficient airspace and be a little' deflated, as has been uploaded. If you have a waterproof bag, be sure to leave an air space, and preferably not completely, then seal it. That's it ... I'm ready to go for children with power!
