Solar chargers can charge lead acid or Ni-Cd battery bank up to 48 V and hundreds of ampere-hours (up to 400 Ah) capacity. For such type of solar chargers, generally intelligent charge controllers are used. A series of solar cell array plates are installed separately on roof top and can be connected to battery bank. Such arrangement can also be used in addition to mains supply chargers for energy saving during day times.
Most portable chargers can obtain energy from the sun only. Portable knob’s are also sold. Some, including the Kinesis K3, can work either way. Examples of solar chargers in popular use include:
- Small portable models designed to charge a range of different mobile phones, cell phones, iPods or other portable audio equipment.
- Fold out models designed to sit on the dashboard of an automobile and plug into the cigar lighter, to keep the battery topped up whilst not in use.
- Torches, often combined with a secondary means of charging, such as a kinetic charging system.
- Public solar chargers permanently installed in public places, such as parks, squares and streets, which passersby can use for free.
Portable Power
Solar battery chargers are generally portable and are almost as small as the length of a netbook. The device is equipped with a few solar panels together with a chargeable Li-ion battery. The battery has a capability of almost 24000mAH that is more than enough to provide you with the necessary charge not considering the fact whether there is any light available or not. Most of the time, portable solar battery chargers are the perfect technology for a number of individuals who really seem to prefer solar energy transportable commodities. The portable nature of the solar charger allows it to be put to use for the purpose of generating immediate electrical power to mechanisms that need 12 volts of power like cars and motorcycles.
The solar-powered batteries are constituted of portable, light and durable compounds that enable it to have lesser transmission of heat. These sorts of enclosures protect the main batteries from the hazards of overheating, weather conditions and also theft. You need to ensure that the solar battery charger is in a good repair condition. If the panels of the battery do not seem to work as well as they should, the battery charger will not be able to provide enough power.
Time to Charge
The amount of power stored in these items will help to determine the period for charging. The process of charging will also be settled by this method – whether you need a wall adapter, a USB connection or the sun’s rays to provide it with charge. Charging starts in a setting ranging between six and twelve volts, is accompanied by a timer of two hours and its test function allows for a quick summary of issues related to the battery along with an alternator result. The item is shipped assembled completely which helps to save both energy and time.
The rays of sun need to reach the panels almost directly in order for the battery to deliver ideal results. During cloudy days or overcast skies, the battery charger is not going to work well. This same principle will also apply to the early hours of the morning as well as night since there is not much sunlight at that time. A convenient solution to this is available. You need to time things precisely since it will take quite a few hours to get the battery and the device charged fully. If you plan on taking your battery charger outdoors for an extended journey or a camping trip, be sure to get the batteries along with the units fully replenished.
( Source : wikipedia.org & ecofriend.com )
