PowerFilm USB + AA Solar Panel Charger
PowerFilm USB + AA Solar Panel Charger
- Folds up compactly to fit into a pocket
- POWERFILM USB+ AA 2-AA BATTERY CHARGER W/ USB
- Charges 2 AA rechargable batteries
- 0
114582 Features: Capable of charging batteries in 4 hours of full sun; charging lights indicate charging progress and completion Secure it using the 6 built-in grommets Solar operation: 36 v, 4 amps USB charging: 5 v, 1 amp Specifications: Weight (without batteries): 49 ounces Dimensions: 32 x 55 x 14 inches (folded); 24 x 55 inches (unfolded)
List Price: $ 99.00
Price: $ 79.99
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Best Device in its Class,
The PowerFilm USB + AA charger is probably the best product and design I have seen in terms of AA solar chargers, especially for backpackers. Stores like REI and EMS need to carry this charger. Basically, this is 2 devices in 1. It is a solar charger for NiMH batteries (2 NiMH Sanyo 2000mAh batteries come with the product). It is also a voltage transformer that takes the 2.4v of the NiMH batteries and ramps it up to 5v allowing you to charge a USB device (like a cell phone or iPod) using the charged batteries, even when it is NOT in the sun. This means that you can lash the unit onto your backpack or car dash without having to tether your phone to it all day, and then draw from the stored energy in the batteries at night. I charged two batteries in the sun with no problem and then charged an iPod Nano 2G while the solar panel was folded up, and it work perfectly.
In terms of backpacking, I can’t imagine that there is a better option. It is light weight (I weighed it myself and it’s 4.95oz without the batteries, 6.80oz with batteries) and has a large enough solar panel to get the job done. It also has a number of grommets for lashing the unit to the hood of a backpack, and the solar panels themselves are just about the width of a hood on most backpacks (not daypacks for school, but full-on internal frame Gregory, Dana, Osprey, REI backpacks). Most AA solar chargers have a ridiculously small solar panel that would require a week in the sun to charge a AA battery. This unit can charge two dead 2000mAh NiMH batteries in 5 hours of full sun. Given that you might have a cloudy day, that is exactly the type of power you need.
In regard to the reviewer who gave this a 1/5, you have to install the batteries into the unit and charge them some before it will produce sufficient USB power. If you had a lot of sun and dead batteries, then charge them for 2-3 hours first and then plug in your USB device. The instructions clearly state this as follows:
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ATTACHING A USB DEVICE FOR CHARGING
Plug the USB cable that came with your device into the USB socket on the side of the battery compartment. Connect your device to the other end of the USB cable. Check your USB device to determine if the device is charging. Note that the AA batteries are required to be installed for USB charging, and that the AA batteries must have some level of charge. Charge AA batteries from the sun before charging USB devices for best performance.
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The only “con” to this things is that the manufacturer really has not taken the time to explain how versatile and useful the thing is. Prior to making my purchase, I really had to search through a lot of web pages to figure out that it can charge a USB device from the batteries when it is not in the sun. That is a big positive feature that they have not mentioned.
Overall, I can’t think of a better charger that is this small, lightweight, durable and is versatile enough to charge AA batteries for something like a Garmin GPS for hiking (eTrex, 60CSx, Oregon, etc), and it works on USB devices as well. In addition to an iPod Nano 2G, I charged a Nokia cell phone with no trouble. It is definitely the best of the best in terms of solar AA/USB chargers.
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|Better than expected.,
I know solar chargers aren’t that powerful and can be fragile, but I decided to gamble on this one because I really like the concept. I could not be more pleased! Very very versatile. Rugged design, super light, folds up small enough to fit in your pocket, charges AA’s AND USB devices (using AA power). I hang it in my window before I go to bed and by the time I’m leaving for work, the batteries are fully charged. I’ve been experimenting with it to see how good it is –I mainly bought it for camping and when I travel for work (all too often I find myself sitting in airports for hours).
Here’s some random info that I would have found useful in a review:
1) Folds up to about the size of a large men’s wallet.
2) This thing works waayy better than those Radio Shack solar chargers (which you have to buy charging tips for, I might add).
3) I was planning on making a MintyBoost, but now I’ve got no need as this is essentially a MintyBoost that charges itself!
4) The extra flap next to the battery compartment can be wrapped around something (like a pole) and it fastens to itself with velcro. In other words, there is usually no need to use bungees or string to tie it up to something if you’re outdoors on a camping trip or whatever.
5) The solar panels themselves are flexible, really flexible, like you could fold them in half (though I wouldn’t recommend doing that).
6) Battery compartment is NOT waterproof, but it is on the underside (from the solar panels), so a light drizzle isn’t going to harm it.
7) Charges 2 AA’s at a time (I wasn’t 100% certain of this when I bought it).
8) I charged my Android phone from it and got about 50% extra battery power from it before it stopped –note, it did not drain my phone afterwards (I think that only is an issue with iPods). This is pretty impressive considering the amount of power a smartphone uses.
For those interested in it for “alternative power”:
You could use this to take your phone off the grid, BUT not easily. Either charge the batteries before you leave in the morning (I don’t leave at the crack of dawn) or if you have a long commute, you could at least partially charge them by putting it on your dash or whatever. Then charge the phone partway. Hang the solar panel in a window or something (facing the sun!) until it charges them fully again, then charge your phone again in the evening. Turn your phone off at night so it keeps at least some reserve power. Tadaa! (This really only works if you’re sedentary like me.)
For people who have no experience with solar panels:
Don’t expect too much out of solar. This is NOT more efficient than plugging your phone/pmp/etc. into a wall outlet. You need full sun and hours of patience.
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