Compare Prices on Brunton F-SOLARIS26
I like this panel, I like it a lot. Proper now I spend it to charge a all of my electronics. It folds up nicely, and doesn't weigh mighty. I agree with the other posters on the clear things about these panels.
These panels as individuals (not linked) are serving me and my teams very well in Iraq. We employ them to power everything from MP3 Players and cell phones to advanced GPS tracking systems.
There's only one jam I have, and that is linking more than two panels together. The instructions and box say it can be done, and the box says it includes a linking cable, but there is nothing that says how. You are supposedly able to link up to three panels together, but I am unable to conclude this no matter how I configure the cables. I've written directly to Brunton's service department for guidance, but after a month I've only gotten the read receipts from them. No retort so far. No one on any blog or forum can say me how this is done. They are expensive, so finding someone that has bought more than one is rare.
All three panels came with the proper same cables, so I don't mediate I'm missing anything. There are two connection ports on each panel (it will charge two miniature items at the same time) . As far as cables go you acquire one with clamps (like the kind that connects to a car battery), one female car cigarette lighter-style outlet, and another cable that has four adapters on one demolish and a single adapter (for plugging into the panel) on the other.
You have to utilize the four-ended cable to link panels. The jam is that when you stir the destroy with four ends into a panel there is no more room to move in another cable. The two prongs sticking out of the sides prevent this.
Anyone with one panel could perceive what I mean. Try plugging both ends of your linking cable into your one panel, as would be the case on the middle panel in a series of three. Then deem how you would link three of them together.
I would like to hear from anyone that has accomplished linking more than two of these together.
Linking them together would allow us to power (accurate time) our field laptops and mini-satellites, we could even recharge our military satcom radio batteries. Unfortunately this isn't the case yet.
The panel is pleasurable and I like it a lot. I gave it a three star rating because it claims to be able to do something that it cannot (link three panels) . The instructions are also lacking in this space. Brunton's customer service also leaves something to be desired, which should be your only negative consideration if you're buying only one.
Update:
I finally got a retort from Brunton concerning linking the panels. Here it is:
"To your seek information from... The four-pronged linking cable can develop the
connection between panels a bit tight. Admittedly, the execute isn't the
best, but I've got three of our 26s here, crooked them up, and read
increased amperage. On the panels where you're forced to utilize both the
single and multi-tipped wire, I've found it's best to turn the four-tip
plug perpendicular to the flat ground, making it easier to fit the
single wire. I'll be the first to say it isn't resplendent. It creates a
slight fold in the panel, and doesn't allow it to sit completely flat,
but it does construct the connection, and since there's no solar receiver
over the output, it doesn't affect the efficiency.
As I said, the multi-prong cord isn't the best earn. It's something
I'm trying to secure them to change in the development department. Hold in
mind that hooking multiple panels together doesn't increase the total
voltage coming out of your last panel, but rather simply increases the
amperage. "
Update * Click on "Behold customer Image" underneath the main product pic to observe what this looks like *
So I broke out my panels and gave it a try. Yes, by bending the panel you can produce the two fit. This causes me some right problems. My initial intent was to assume some cord and tie the panels down (using the nicely grommeted holes in each corner) . I can't do this because the corner that's curved can't be tied down tightly. When I pull on the corner that's hooked down (behold pic), you can hear the plastic under strain. The four prong outlet tries to straighten out with no where to go, when you do this. I wouldn't want to tie the panel down tightly for terror of breaking something.
The retort to this of course is to execute your bear single male-male cable. In the rest of the email the service pick up offered to send me some cables and cords that I could splice together.
One other thing I noticed is that the female cigarette outlet is completely calm on the inside, there are no ridges or insets. Any male connector you insert into it will not "lock" into region. There is some resistance that will preserve it from impartial falling out, but it doesn't recall distinguished to advance loose. I don't consider this would be a spot if the panel were laying flat. I imagine that if it were hung up the weight of some cables could cause it to approach out. I've had no problems at all with powering any scheme using this outlet.
Update: * Added another image showing the hook up to an EEE ASUS*
I also hold an Asus Eee PC 900 16G. One of the prongs on the four ended cable will fit directly into the laptop. It being such a exiguous laptop the panel WILL accelerate it right time while charging the battery (unprejudiced like it was plugged into the wall) .
According to Brunton the panel kicks out 26 Watts, and says it's at 12 Volts. This means that
12 Volts X 2.2 Amps = 26 Watts
(i'm rounding slightly up on the Amps)
The EEE ASUS Power pack says it has an output of :
12 Volts X 3 Amps = 36Watts
There's obviously a limited play in here, but the Brunton panel is using the same Volts at less amps, so it's valid to swagger it into your EEE PC. In testing this personally it did in fact hasten the laptop right time and charge the battery at the same time.
I would raise my review to four stars (I can't modify it), because the panel does do what it says it will do, but it has a compose flaw that makes it hard to deal with.
I am a nature photographer, and utilize essential intervals a long ways from a power outlet. I recently broken-down this solar charger to preserve lithium ion batteries charged for my digital camera. I am glad to picture that it works even better than specified. I was able to charge two Olympus BLM-1 batteries simultaneously, in a couple hours in sunny conditions and in six hours in cloudy conditions. Even when the temperature fell as coarse as 25 F, the charger worked fair graceful.
The units folds up into a minute comparatively tiny bag. You wouldn't employ it for ultralight backpacking, but it worked sparkling for me, and is comparatively light in relation to my camera gear. The charger got rained on, got mud splashed on it, and was stepped on my a limited child, and survived it all unprejudiced sparkling.
Sturdy, durable, portable, remarkable and effective. Highly recommended.
(I saw one review complaining the unit wouldn't power a laptop computer. That's fair. You'd need two. It won't power a refrigerator or a dishwasher, either. But if you need to charge batteries, this works sizable.)
This is a very useful product. I've faded it to power essentially any low-draw 12V equipment that I normally charge via my car's cigarette lighter. I live in Georgia (not a tremendously strong solar station) yet I was able to hurry anything I wanted to with moderate cloud mask. I stale it today to charge my cell phone with a expressionless battery to rotund charge in less than an hour (as advertised) . I haven't traditional it to charge my boat/auto battery yet but I have purchased the Brunton Solar Controller to consume it. The panel is very easy to employ and comes with multiple adapters. I'm not an electrician but I was able to commence the box and employ the product in less than five minutes. I'm angry to engage it camping and on my boat. It's unprejudiced a really, really useful product all the blueprint around and comes with the Brunton name.
