Although there are many ways to the task of charging batteries and electronic devices via solar power are approach, we are several solutions that have been tested and proven to concentrate, and cover the most common requirements. We recommend the use of solar PowerFilm rollable the most appropriate market for mobile and marine applications for binding to the decks of kayaks and canoes.
Step 1: Calculate your power requirements
The first step in creating a solar system for expeditions by kayak or canoe to your needs to estimate total power and choose to follow a solar panel. Watt-hours is a measure of the battery capacity. For example, most digital cameras require 50-10 watt-hours, requires require five MP3 players, notebooks up to 65 years.
Then decide how often you have to load your various devices. For example, if you want your digital SLR camera responsible, while canoeing or kayaking, and you know that under typical usage, you get three days after the battery from the device before it needs recharging, then your needs are 15 in 3 days WHRS WHRS = 5 / day
To complete this example we have the need to insert two AA batteries each day for a GPS device is free, and an iPod every two days. Total daily demand for electricity: 12 WHRS
For portable applications, as we have to be careful in estimating the production of electricity by solar cells. It is almost impossible to correct exposure for a solar panel if it is simply fastened to the deck of your kayak, draped over your tent or the development of the rail to rail on your boat to get. Thus, the production of solar energy, only about half of what could be a well-designed roof system. Based on this assumption we can calculate that a 5 Watt group to meet our needs, lower costs and reduce the size and weight to carry. Remember that this is our budget power, and we have to live in this amount. A further advantage of minimizing the solar energy as much as possible is able to adapt to the deck of your canoe or kayak. PowerFilm Solar manufactures a range of flexible solar cells for use on vessels designed. They are designed to the projections with marine applications are linked, and are one of the best links we’ve seen on a portable solar panel equipped. R-7 7Watt rollable panel is the smallest in this line of marine grade, so that the panel we select for our example.
Step 2: Choose a battery energy storage and connectivity
Next is to select a battery to store your solar energy. It should be small and light, so you do not load your canoe or kayak, no longer than necessary. It should also include the connections you need to charge all your devices. It should also save enough energy to get you through the times when the sun is not as bright as we hope. We wish to make an estimate that is at least equal to your daily needs. In our example, this would mean a storage capacity of at least 12 watt-hours.
Will you directly from the solar panel, and not a battery for storage? We will see if the devices can upload you want to do that. Read more …
In our example above, we need the following connections … USB phone jack for our AC-chip: for our camera charger and AA battery. Wait! Power is not an option in this small power system.AC drive is not directly from the solar collector and small packages of lithium batteries are not able to power even a small inverter. What to do?
Fortunately, many aftermarket chargers lithium camera with 12V car adapter is also equipped with power adapter. There are also work-AA chargers could from USB ports or 12VDC car. So, we can direct 12VDC output from the solar panel and get a USB car adapter, this time it seems that we define that all our devices do not include free and direct solar energy storage battery pack. But there is direct sunlight?
We recommend that you almost always is with direct solar energy, if the journey is short, the weather is good (and reliable), and the solar panel really necessary to charge the battery if necessary. Once the package of energy storage is a major source of backup power for when the sun does not cooperate. It also allows your charger at its highest point of limping around, regardless of the solar cell is operating in a position to the sun. They are also able to capture more solar energy during the day.
For our example, we recommend the pack Voltaic. This ability is somewhat larger than we need one day, and it is very small and light. It also includes all the USB connector and 12V capability we need. Although the package will not support a Voltaic battery charger for camera batteries 7.4V Targus, this function by connecting the charger to the camera are obtained directly to the panel. If the store of energy is needed to drive the Charger Targus 7.4V batteries, then the best solution would be to select Voltaic “generator battery.
What About AA batteries?
For most expeditions by canoe and kayak, one of the most common requests we hear is the AA battery charging for things like GPS receivers and radios. We advise our clients, two scenarios to consider … 1st Direct Solar Charge 2 AA batteries. With a battery of energy storage
In the first option … The solar panel is connected directly to a DC input AA battery. We recommend the following equipment couple … Charger PowerFilm PowerFilm R15-300 or R-7 12V DC Mini AA Targus
The charger works in any time daylight is bright enough, and calculates the maximum rate of the solar panel in the light conditions. For example, charging the 5 watt solar panel battery 2 per day from late spring to early autumn. Most people will be a turnover of battery, “that pairs of batteries in the charger loaded and ready in the device, and wait to be loaded. Every day, are the batteries changed and moved into the rotation. In this way, are never charged batteries with partially charged batteries mixed in the device. When you faster performance, want more batteries per day to update the 10W or 14W Panel Power film. These charges will not be less than 8 AA batteries in a summer day.
The second option … This power system allows you to store solar energy during the day, and get the power when you need it, even at night. Besides access to power at any time, an important advantage of using an intermediary Battey is the ability to battery chargers to power its peak, not just at the current pace of the solar panel. We recommend the following equipment … PowerFilm PowerFilm R15-300 or R-7 ZAP! R07-PL2 Pack AA Targus USB Battery Charger
Or, for more performance, 10W or 14W combine photovoltaic panels with battery and charger AA Targus.
NOTE: It is imperative that all batteries have sufficient space and low air evacuated while they are loaded. If you have a waterproof bag, make sure to leave an air space, and preferably are not completely close the bag. That is all … Ready to Start Output!
