Thread: Solar Charger

That bit about not charging an expensive device direct off a little portable panel has a bit of merit, as if its a less than ideal day the power output off the charger panel may drop under what the charger circuit in the device requires to run itself and effectively charge itself. Some protection circuits take a dim view of the supply cutting in and out and poo themselves. Damaged charging leads can do the same though to be fair. I blew up a reader thing by that, the replacement parts were more than the replacement cost of the entire thing!

Safer to charge off the battery bank, and then use the portable solar to charge the bank back up. If the panel doesn't want to play and you damage the battery bank it's likely that it's only costing you $40-50 with the current price of battery banks. Also, it's likely to charge the device a lot faster that way as well!

Originally Posted by Shearer

I use Ozzito battery tools and they have this cool little adapter with 2 USB ports on it so you can convert the battery into a power bank. Cheap as chips ($11 from memory). Not sure if the other manufacturers do it.
Edit. Gone up in price I see.
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/ozito-pxc...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
Looks like Makita do them too now.

This sounds great Shearer! Would you lug it around the hills or just have in your vehicle? How many charges do you reckon it can do? Thanks