We've all been there, you're listening to your ipod on a long bus trip and it runs out of power in the middle of your favorite song. No listening to podcasts, no music or audio books, what are you going to do with all the time ahead of you. If not that then surely your cell phone has given up the ghost half way through an important conversation. The phone sounds a beep and you see the low charge warning on the screen. Looks like you'll have to find an un-vandalized phone booth - good luck!
I guess I'm as guilty as the next person. I want immediate access to my entertainment or communications devices. This is the reason why I have this and that gadget for all sorts of things. Unfortunately all these appliances need power from time to time and I have forgotten to recharge them leaving me stranded. The way round this common problem is to use a portable solar power generator.
With the interest in solar power and the increase in hand held devices, there a number of good portable solar power generators around at the moment. The standard design is similar for most of them. A solar panel or cells will react with the photons in sunlight to create direct current electricity. This is passed to a battery that stores the electricity. The generator has a power point where various devices can be plugged in to use the current of the battery as if they where plugged into a wall socket.
The best part is that as long as there is some sunlight, your solar generator will always be charged or at least not losing power. Provided there is some sun out, the battery will always be charging. This should mean that whatever hand held device you may be using will always have a potential power source. You'll never be inconvenienced again from lack of power.
When going for a portable solar generator there are a few things to consider. First should be the type, size or efficiency of the solar panels. Bigger panels will obviously have more surface area and thus provide more direct current. This has to be weighed against bulkiness and aesthetic appeal. You want your generator to be compatible in terms of size with the devices it will be powering. And it should be comfortable to carry in a backpack or something like that, without being heavy.
You also want to find out what kind of capacity the battery has. For example, how long will an power sucking device such as a PSP last. The longer this time is the better the battery but again this has to be balanced against the size and weight of the battery if you want a generator that will be completely portable.
Finally, you should check out what portable appliances can be plugged into the generator and how easy this is. At a base level, it should be compatible with your cell phone and any of personal digital appliances you may have (including a gps device if you do a lot of car traveling). You will probably use it most often with entertainment devices like PSP's , portable dvd players and mp3 players so it should be compatible with these devices too.
Portable solar power devices can run or charge laptops, cameras, cell phones, batteries, lights, and other electronic equipment. Solar electricity should be a part of every emergency kit. They can prove to be a lifesaving tool in case of an accident or any other emergency where you could be cut off from the power grids, but have a need for electricity.
In this article, we'll explain how portable solar power works and how you can use it to your advantage.
Most portable solar power devices use solar photovoltaic cells which produce electricity when they are exposed to light. They usually consist of panels containing two layers of different materials. When exposed to sunshine or another light source, one of the layers becomes positively charged and the other becomes negatively charged. This produces an electric current. You can then use this solar electric power in whatever way you choose. You can charge your MP3 player or make a pot of coffee!
This solar electricity can then be used for anything you want. The amount of electricity a solar cell produces depends on the strength of the sun, how long the solar power device is exposed and how big the size of the solar panels.
How much power can one of these devices generate?
Some solar cells produce only enough current to power small electronic devices. When you are shopping for portable solar power, you will find that different devices have different "watts" ratings. To select the correct solar device, determine what watt rating you need. To find out how many watts you need, look at the output rating of the adapter. It should tell you how many watts the adapter generates. If it doesn't contain this information, then it should contain the ratings for amperes (amps) and volts. Remember that bigger solar panels usually supply more wattage and will power your devices more quickly.
But what happens when there isn't enough sunlight available?
Some companies sell back-up batteries to go with your solar cell. These batteries can sometimes also be charged from a wall socket or from a car charge adapter. You may want to have a solar cell that you can use while you are hiking or traveling, such as a flexible panel that can be carried on your back. This way, you can charge your small equipment or a backup battery while you are busy enjoying yourself. Keep in mind that while a solar cell performs best in bright sunlight, your other equipment usually doesn't. Some solar cells come with a long cord so you can put your camera or laptop in the shade while they are charging.
Portable solar power is the perfect tool to take along when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, but still want the amenities of home.
Electronic devices are a part of everyday living, so why not take them with you? Portable solar energy is becoming less bulky and more affordable so that consumers can have a reliable source of electricity at any time and in any place.
Both Adrian Fletcher & Tony Goggin are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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