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Luc
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Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Posts: 1675 | TRs | Pics
Location: accepting wise-cracks like no other |
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Luc
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 Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:30 pm |
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hannibal
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Joined: 08 Nov 2008
Posts: 21 | TRs | Pics
Location: seattle |
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hannibal
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Sat Jun 27, 2009 7:08 pm |
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I've used one that looks similar to that one its made by Brunton. Actually It works much better than I expected to. I can either charge or run most of my electronics directly off the solar cell. Even works well on cloudy days...the more sun the better of course, but it will work.
The smaller 6W cell (Only 7oz) works fine for charging my cell phone, satellite radio and AA batteries. Its not heavy or bulky so I carry it all the time. Its nice knowing that if the camera battery dies I can getting it going again in a few hours. In my book its worth the extra 7oz of weight.
I was so impressed with the smaller Brunton i6 that I decided to upgrade to the much larger Brunton Solaris 26 (26 watts) It will actually power most laptops directly from the sun. The only down side I can see is the price....$299.00
For $17.00 more you could buy a Brunton Solaris USB(Only 5oz) ...it has more power than the one you are looking at. 3 watts @ (5.5 volts) so you can charge anything with a USB connector.
$84.00 Brunton Solaris USB:
http://www.moontrail.com/brunton-solaris-usb-3.php
They also make a battery charger that has a USB connector so you can charge AA or AAA batteries.
Brunton Solo BattPack
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MountainAmoeba
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Joined: 24 Apr 2007
Posts: 1 | TRs | Pics
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In my preparation for a two week High Sierras trek later this summer, I just finished making one of these:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-solar-iPodiPhone-charger-aka-Might/
Weighs about 5 1/4 oz, holds enough charge to juice up my ipod touch 1.5 times. Can be charged up via the wall, or the tethered solar panel that can stick to the top of my pack on sunny days. It's still pretty new, so I have yet to try it out with all my other USB gadgets (gps, etc).
Seems to juice up OK in direct sun - about a day and a half to charge it to full. Could be improved with a larger solar panel. Still working on a mod that will allow me to charge up my canon batteries.
Not really saving a whole heap of money on building it myself (parts cost close to 70$), but the geek cred is worth it. Also planning on changing the case to something cooler/lighter than an Altoids tin.
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Sennin
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Joined: 31 Jul 2008
Posts: 691 | TRs | Pics
Location: West Seattle |
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Sennin
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Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:41 am Re: Homebrewed
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| MountainAmoeba wrote: | | In my preparation for a two week High Sierras trek later this summer, I just finished making one of these:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-solar-iPodiPhone-charger-aka-Might/
Weighs about 5 1/4 oz, holds enough charge to juice up my ipod touch 1.5 times. Can be charged up via the wall, or the tethered solar panel that can stick to the top of my pack on sunny days. It's still pretty new, so I have yet to try it out with all my other USB gadgets (gps, etc).
Seems to juice up OK in direct sun - about a day and a half to charge it to full. Could be improved with a larger solar panel. Still working on a mod that will allow me to charge up my canon batteries.
Not really saving a whole heap of money on building it myself (parts cost close to 70$), but the geek cred is worth it. Also planning on changing the case to something cooler/lighter than an Altoids tin. |
Wait a second....what's cooler than an Altoids tin???? 
Very nice! I want one!
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chiwakum
not credible
Joined: 29 Jun 2009
Posts: 980 | TRs | Pics
Location: Ballard |
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chiwakum
not credible
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Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:18 pm MightyMintyBoost
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MountainAmoeba
Thanks for the reference to the MightyMintyBoost. I've been pondering the best way to make a generic USB power source for hiking gadgets. This little doodad will let me do the necessary DC to DC voltage step up to the 5V required by USB.
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Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker
Joined: 16 Dec 2001
Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics
Location: Cle Elum |
I'm going to pick up one of those Brunton 52's. Gotta keep that refrigerator freezer in the Jeep happy!
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
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Luc
Member
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Posts: 1675 | TRs | Pics
Location: accepting wise-cracks like no other |
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Luc
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Wed Jul 08, 2009 3:05 pm |
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"Backpacker" joe my arse!
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Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker
Joined: 16 Dec 2001
Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics
Location: Cle Elum |
Hey bubba. 7300'! I are a backpacker!  
 Bozo resting at Sunrise Lake
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
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Luc
Member
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Posts: 1675 | TRs | Pics
Location: accepting wise-cracks like no other |
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Luc
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Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:10 pm |
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where's the backpack? 
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Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker
Joined: 16 Dec 2001
Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics
Location: Cle Elum |
| Luc wrote: | | where's the backpack? |
Laying on the bloody ground Jose. How else would I have gotten there? Helicopter? Ya I wish I could afford that.
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
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hannibal
Member
Joined: 08 Nov 2008
Posts: 21 | TRs | Pics
Location: seattle |
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hannibal
Member
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Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:34 am |
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| Backpacker Joe wrote: | | I'm going to pick up one of those Brunton 52's. Gotta keep that refrigerator freezer in the Jeep happy! |
If your freezer is an ARB or Engel it should run on the 26W solar cell. The 52W would be better, but it will work. You can also join up to 3 Brunton 26W panels together for extra output (78W). I may add one more in future to keep the batteries happy when car camping.
Check the link below for info on running your freezer on a 26W cell.
Using 12v solar to power Engel freezer
More on 12v Brunton panels
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