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I'm thinking I want a hand-held solar power charger for my phone. I realize that solar charging is just one of options for powering up the batteries in these devices.
Anyone here have a suggestion, brands, models or styles? If it makes a difference I have an Android.
Thanks Freddie
I only have limited experience with one. I don't know who actually manufactured it,
but it's sold by "Survival Frog." It does charge a phone in an hour or two, but it may
take 2 days of sunlight to completely recharge it.
I first charged it through the USB port on a laptop. Then I charged my phone with it.
The phone used about half of the battery capacity, and it took a full day in the sun
to recharge the unit.
It came with a small carabiner, to attach it to the outside of a pack, but it's not
waterproof. I think I paid $30 for it.
The solar charging technology is just not that great yet. Physics...
New smartphones have large batteries and consume mucho power. It takes a large solar panel to charge one up. I have one made by Brunton that you unfold and lay out on a flat surface that works well but it's pretty doggone big. I just carry one of those backup batteries that's about the size of the phone.
I have a panel that I purchased for emergency use. It is about 4' x 4'. It will put out 45 watts in bright sunlight, but on a cloudy day, in partial shade, or if not pointed directly at the sun, the output drops off significantly.
Most commonly available solar panels are only 15-20% efficient. If you live in the desert, they work well, but in places that are rainy and overcast like it is in Chicago today, they are not very useful.
my brother who has too much time on his hands rigged up a steam powered phone charger. and it worked.