ChrisGarrett
Flashlight Enthusiast
I just reposted this from AR15.com, to save on time.
I got the portable solar charging panel done and tested it out today, 8/1/12 for 20 minutes, before a big rain cloud came in and forced me to pack up.
Pictures are worth a thousand words, so flame away!
Controller and 12vdc female socket mounted on plastic corrugated 'sign stock':
[/URL]ControllerFront by Christopher Garrett, on Flickr[/IMG]
Controller from the side, 'triangle folds' keep panel in the vertical plane, but still allow for 'flat' packing':
[/URL]ControllerSide by Christopher Garrett, on Flickr[/IMG]
Controller laying 'flattish':
[/URL]ControllerFlat by Christopher Garrett, on Flickr[/IMG]
Controller running off of 12v/12Ah battery, powering a Maha C-9000 that's charging 4xAAs at ~1 amp:
[/URL]ControllerMaha@1amp by Christopher Garrett, on Flickr[/IMG]
Hinged panels in the vertical orientation, pink ropes are carry handles:
[/URL]PanelsVertical by Christopher Garrett, on Flickr[/IMG]
Panels from the side, they can be flipped for a more acute angle, when sun is directly overhead:
[/URL]PanelsSide by Christopher Garrett, on Flickr[/IMG]
Shallow tilt, whole shebang charging the battery and powering an Xtar WP2 II Li-Ion charger, note case:
[/URL]SystemRear by Christopher Garrett, on Flickr[/IMG]
Open voltage before the big rain cloud blew in:
[/URL]PanelOpenVoltage by Christopher Garrett, on Flickr[/IMG]
Indoor shot with cereal box for scale:
[/URL]PanelsHinged by Christopher Garrett, on Flickr[/IMG]
Facts and details:
Panels: Two Soplay 30w/1.74a (22"x16.5"x1") @ 5.5#. $178 shipped for both, with 2x12" Y connectors.
Battery: Power-Sonic 12v/12Ah AGM/SLA. $37 shipped.
Gun Case: Plano 4 pistol case cut to fit by me. $25 shipped.
Controller: Morningstar SS-10L 12v. This will take up to a 25v input, 10amp load. $70 shipped.
Mc4 Connectors: 3 pair of M/F for the Controller terminations. I ruined 3 halves, so get a few! $10 shipped.
Assorted adapters: Maha, LaCrosse 12v adapters, USB 2.1a adapter, 12v female socket. $35ish delivered.
Hardware: Hinges, bolts, nuts, washers, rope, Gorilla glue (wire was free!) aluminum bar stock: $20-$30.
Most of the stuff, I got new off of Ebay. The fitted case will hold two 12v/12Ah batteries, even though I only have one for now. The case will also hold the Maha C-9000, LaCrosse BC-700, Xtar WP2 II, all three 12v adapters and the little iPhone/iPad 2.1 amp USB adapter with 6' USB cord. The controller and its backing sits nicely on top of the fitted layer of foam.
Everything fits fine and closes. With 2 batteries, weight should be about ~22-23 pounds, maybe a tad less.
Chris
I got the portable solar charging panel done and tested it out today, 8/1/12 for 20 minutes, before a big rain cloud came in and forced me to pack up.
Pictures are worth a thousand words, so flame away!
Controller and 12vdc female socket mounted on plastic corrugated 'sign stock':
Controller from the side, 'triangle folds' keep panel in the vertical plane, but still allow for 'flat' packing':
Controller laying 'flattish':
Controller running off of 12v/12Ah battery, powering a Maha C-9000 that's charging 4xAAs at ~1 amp:
Hinged panels in the vertical orientation, pink ropes are carry handles:
Panels from the side, they can be flipped for a more acute angle, when sun is directly overhead:
Shallow tilt, whole shebang charging the battery and powering an Xtar WP2 II Li-Ion charger, note case:
Open voltage before the big rain cloud blew in:
Indoor shot with cereal box for scale:
Facts and details:
Panels: Two Soplay 30w/1.74a (22"x16.5"x1") @ 5.5#. $178 shipped for both, with 2x12" Y connectors.
Battery: Power-Sonic 12v/12Ah AGM/SLA. $37 shipped.
Gun Case: Plano 4 pistol case cut to fit by me. $25 shipped.
Controller: Morningstar SS-10L 12v. This will take up to a 25v input, 10amp load. $70 shipped.
Mc4 Connectors: 3 pair of M/F for the Controller terminations. I ruined 3 halves, so get a few! $10 shipped.
Assorted adapters: Maha, LaCrosse 12v adapters, USB 2.1a adapter, 12v female socket. $35ish delivered.
Hardware: Hinges, bolts, nuts, washers, rope, Gorilla glue (wire was free!) aluminum bar stock: $20-$30.
Most of the stuff, I got new off of Ebay. The fitted case will hold two 12v/12Ah batteries, even though I only have one for now. The case will also hold the Maha C-9000, LaCrosse BC-700, Xtar WP2 II, all three 12v adapters and the little iPhone/iPad 2.1 amp USB adapter with 6' USB cord. The controller and its backing sits nicely on top of the fitted layer of foam.
Everything fits fine and closes. With 2 batteries, weight should be about ~22-23 pounds, maybe a tad less.
Chris
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