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solar powered chargers and other bits....:)

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  • 30-05-2013 2:35pm
    #1
    Kerry_2008
    Registered Users Posts: 277 ✭✭


    can anyone recommend a solar powered device that doesnt cost the earth and would charge i-pads/pods, phones and laptops.
    also, is it possible to use (on a domestic scale) some sort of solar device to power a tv? random musing :)


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    #2
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 90,976 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    the small stuff is easy

    laptops and TV's need more umph than pocket devices

    in Ireland you can't rely on sunshine so you need a big battery somewhere.

    Is this for a summer home in Wexford where you can rely on 18 hours of diffuse light per day and short nights or is this for Donegal in winter where you've got an average of three hours of sunshine a day and 18 hours of darkness.


    Does any one have data for gaps in sunlight in this climate for planning battery capacity ?
    something like 95% probability that you won't have less than X% of power for Y days in a row. Or even a few years worth of hourly sunshine data

    Very roughly
    Car battery 50Ah means you get 600Watt hours so would keep a 30W laptop going for 20 hours. (but a 60W TV for only 10 hours - invest in a power meter, or with a laptop you can guesstimate from the battery life / size)


    The good news is that a small wind generator or even a pedal generator could power a laptop or small TV so you have a plan B





    To give a ball park price this is €766 and it takes 5 days to charge that battery.
    If you already have ESB connection then you won't save any money, because you have to replace the battery every few years.
    PV is for when you have to pay through the nose for connection.

    http://www.picoturbine.com/50-watt-complete-hybrid-wind-and-solar-system/
    50 Watt Complete Hybrid Wind and Solar System
    ...
    If you had 5 hours of sun per day, you would generate about 42 amp-hours per week with the 50W, 1.2 amp solar panel. This equals about 500 watt-hours per week.

    That 5 hours a day ? That's 450 hours per season
    http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/sunshine.asp


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    #3
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 90,976 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Aldi solar phone charger €14.99

    https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/sunday-specialbuys-2nd-june/products-detail-page/ps/p/solar-powered-charger/?pk_campaign=ie_product_newsletter&pk_kwd=2013-05-31_17-57
    Pocket-sized charger for your mobile, iPod/iPhone/iPad and other devices charged via USB.

    Can be pre-charged from USB in 3 hours
    Lithium battery
    Super-bright LEDs
    Charge with USB or in sunlight for roughly 1-2 hours' usage
    Includes: USB Cable, Carry Strap, 6 x Adaptors

    †iPod/iPhone not included.


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