Solar charger. Solar battery to charge your phone

Do you often go hiking or are you constantly on the move? In the hot summer, even the most notorious geek wants to get away from the stone jungle - to the seas, oceans, and forests. Someone chooses a hotel and completely loses the problems with servicing themselves and their gadgets (sockets and showers are still ingenious inventions). Well, we, lovers of wildlife and multi-day hikes, are faced with a number of problems, one of which is the lack of power outlets. But there is one difference between an advanced and resourceful user from an ordinary man in the street - he will use the scorching sun for his own selfish purposes. How? Of course, charge your tablet or smartphone from portable solar-powered chargers!

But there are so many of them ... From expensive brand names to cheap ones. How to figure it out? What is the difference? What do customers praise? Read our review, we have selected the 5 best chargers for you for all occasions.

Pros of solar charging:

• A saver's paradise - charge your gadgets without power outlets.
• Fast charge your gadget for 2-3 hours anywhere there is sun.
• Quite low price and long service life (more than 5 years).

Disadvantages of charging:

• Most devices (especially those capable of charging large gadgets like a laptop) are large enough to carry in your pocket. The minimum size of a large charger when folded is ~ 20x15 cm. The power bank for transportation is definitely more convenient - 15x7 cm, without the need to unfold the device. Such a gadget will easily fit into your pocket along with a smartphone connected to it.
• Such charging is effective only in sunny weather and does not accumulate charge! This means that there is a great chance to stay with discharged gadgets after sunset. This rule, of course, does not apply to power banks (external batteries).
• The need to deploy some particularly bulky chargers to connect to your gadgets.

How to choose a portable solar charger or an external battery?

Let's now figure out what characteristics are needed to "survive" in a hot summer. What should you pay attention to first of all?

• Water tightness

A splash of summer rain or a damp towel thrown around carelessly can kill any gadget, so the most important point is water resistance.

• Compatible with various gadgets

Ipad, Android smartphone, favorite soap dish - and all with different interfaces. Carrying three different charging devices with you is not very convenient. Therefore, our choice is models with extended compatibility.

• Compactness

You don't want to lug around a mini-power plant, do you? The more flexible, slim and ergonomic your charging is, the better. Pay special attention to the “flexible” models - such a device will not break if it falls to the ground.

• Price

Save or not? The question is difficult, it depends on your financial capabilities. Our top lists the best options in terms of price / quality ratio. In any case, it is hardly worth paying more than RUB 2,000 for an external battery, and more than RUB 7,500 for a solar charger for a laptop (although we will still consider one premium model below). But we also do not recommend noun-name of the model for 300 rubles.

We have selected the 5 best models for you in different categories:

• universal solar charging
• powerful solar charger for laptop
• external sun storage battery for phone
• solar charging in the form of a backpack.

Best Universal Solar Charger

For the title of the best universal solar-powered charger, 2 models are fighting at a similar price:

1. Solar Charger (Upgrade Version), CHOE 19W 2-Port Solar Phone Charger(power 19W), worth 3500 RUB
2. Anker 21W 2-Port USB Solar Charger- more powerful (21W) product for the price 4000 RUB

Both models combine all the necessary qualities and provide enough power to charge two smartphones at the same time in a couple of hours. And despite the fact that the charging from CHOE has less power, it is not inferior to the Anker 21W in solar energy conversion and also promises to convert up to 23% of the sun's energy into charge energy.

They will not fit in your pocket, but they will feel comfortable in a backpack without taking up much space. Both models have 3 solar panels, which is enough for phones, but not enough for a laptop (the next model is for it).

As far as compatibility is concerned, all the necessary interfaces are available. It will be possible to connect all modern mobile gadgets on both iOS and Android.

Thanks to the metal rings on the surface of each of these models, you do not need to stop for a halt and unfold them - you just need to attach the device to your backpack and catch the sun on the go.

Best Solar Powered Laptop Charger

ALLPOWERS 28W Foldable Solar Panel Laptop Charger

Unfortunately, not all such devices are capable of charging large-sized gadgets like a laptop in terms of power, so we turn to a "larger" model. There are 8 panels; produces 28 watts of power, which will be enough to fully charge a 5000 mA laptop battery in 3 hours. Smartphones and tablets - in about the same amount of time. Of course, in the presence of sunny weather. I must say that the dimensions are noticeable only when unfolded - when folded, the charger is a compact bag that can easily fit into a backpack. The set comes with a bunch of adapters that are compatible with all modern laptop models, so the question of compatibility disappears automatically. There is also an interface that allows you to charge mobile gadgets using micro-USB. Hence the rather high price tag. But let's face it - it's fair.

The only negative is the susceptibility to climate change. It is highly discouraged to use the device in pouring rain or around a fire.

Best Solar Powered Mobile Charger for Smartphone or Iphone

Portable solar powerbank

If you don't want to carry a charging folder with you, and you will only charge mobile gadgets, pay attention to this external battery. As you can imagine, the main difference between this model and the previous two is that it accumulates energy, and you can charge it not only during the day, but also at night.

Waterproof, with a rubber shockproof casing, weighing only 317 g, easy to fit in a pocket, with built-in flashlight - isn't it the perfect battery for everyday use? We add here the price tag of 2000 rubles and we get pure must-have for any practical user. But you won't be able to charge anything more than a smartphone or tablet from such a kid.

The best solar powered charging in the form of a backpack

SunLabz® Solar Charger Backpack (7w) INCLUDING 10,000 mAh Power Bank and 1.8L Hydration Pack

And another indispensable companion for traveling through the stone and real jungle - a backpack with solar panels. It is not the largest in size, but a 14 ”laptop with a bunch of useful little things will fit. The solar panel with a power of 6W hides a pocket under it, which houses the connected gadgets. A trifle, but the question "where to put" is automatically resolved. All devices are connected via a micro-USB cable that outputs 5V.

The backpack comes with a 10 mA power bank, which produces all the same 5V, sufficient to charge all portable gadgets. The volume is enough for two full charging cycles of the smartphone. Unfortunately, the included drive does not have a protective cover or a carabiner for attaching it. Also, size can become a minus for tall people, especially men - such a backpack on an oversized back will look too comical. There is such a thing ~ 3500.

SOLSOL Solar Hat

And finally, we have prepared a bonus for you - a promising unusual solar charger in the form of a fashionable cap for ~ 3500. The promising project appeared on Indiegogo in the spring of 2016, and already now such a cap is available for general sale. If classic power banks and solar panels are too boring and commonplace for you and you want not only a useful gadget, but also a stylish accessory - pay attention to SOLSOL. The visor of this cap will definitely not go unnoticed in the crowd.

Doubt can only be caused by the convenience of such a cap. Devices are connected to it using a micro-USB cable to the connector hidden in the back of the cap. And it is up to you to carry the connected smartphone in your hands or find a long wire that will reach the nearest pocket. The visor gives out a power of 50mA - 278mA - quite enough for a standard smartphone charging cycle (2-3 hours). There are no protruding parts inside the cap, just a wire connecting the solar panels to the USB output.

The manufacturer did not limit himself to one color, and Solar Hat is presented in five colors. The device definitely deserves attention - it will be especially appreciated by adherents of a "green" lifestyle. Well, by showing up to their party in such a cap, you will definitely find yourself in the spotlight.

Let's sum it up with a comparison table:

Model	Model price	The size	tenacity	Laptop
Anker 21W		66x28	+	-
RAVPower 16W		63x230	+	-
Panel ALLPOWERS 28W

The proliferation of productive smartphones equipped with weak batteries makes users seriously think about alternative. Unfortunately, convenient solutions for everyday use, apart from ordinary batteries, do not yet exist. The only decent option is the standalone power packs to charge your phone without being connected to the mains. But these options have many disadvantages. At the same time, for those who like to spend time in nature and away from civilization, a capacious Power Bank will not be salvation. In such situations, the solar battery comes to the rescue for charging the phone, which is completely independent from the mains. Such devices allow mobile devices to be recharged by receiving energy directly from the sun. Accordingly, it is also a free way to ensure the functioning of electronics.

The device and principle of operation of the battery

By design, such products resemble small batteries, a feature of which is a wide range of adapters. The standard device provides for the presence of photocells that accumulate energy, which is converted into a power charge. Then, through miniUSB or microUSB, the energy enters the mobile device. Depending on the model, such devices may be equipped with special indicators, the glow of which indicates that there is sufficient light level to complete the charge.

The solar battery must be charged before starting the procedure for supplying power to the phone. This can take several hours, depending on the brightness of the light. After that, the solar battery can be used to charge the phone for its intended purpose. By choosing the appropriate adapter, you can connect the battery to the target device.

Main characteristics

The main characteristic is the power, which averages 4-12 watts. This figure is sufficient to work with small mobile devices, but it is better to charge a tablet or laptop with more powerful batteries. In this case, the solar battery device can provide for the presence of several elements of the NiCd-NiMh type. Accordingly, the more batteries there are, the faster charging will be carried out, but the mass of the device will increase significantly.

By the way, in terms of dimensions, such devices rarely exceed the dimensions of a video cassette, and the weight is usually 400-500 g. But there are exceptions, and if you plan to go on a long hike, it is advisable to initially calculate the mass of an additional power source. If the device is planned to be used as a standard adapter, then the solar battery for charging the phone should also be able to be connected to an outlet or cigarette lighter.

Charging efficiency

Still, the majority of buyers are counting on the possibility of operating solar panels in full autonomy with respect to the power grid. That is, the question arises of how effective, in principle, charging from an alternative source can be. As practice shows, the full replenishment of the battery charge takes 6-10 hours. Such a wide range of time is due to the fact that the sun can have different glow parameters. It is clear that under the most favorable conditions, this method of charging will lose to the supply from the outlet, which takes 3-4 hours on average. In a charged state, the solar battery for the phone is capable of supplying power to the phone for 1-2 hours. This time is quite enough for a low-performance push-button device for a full replenishment of energy. However, modern smartphones with large screens and large batteries often take much longer to charge.

Battery cost

The simplest elements with low power are estimated at no more than 1,000 rubles. As a rule, these are Chinese devices of dubious origin, among which, however, you can find very effective options. The increase in the price tag occurs as the functionality of the solar battery expands. The price of devices that have a wide range of adapters and connectors can be 2-3 thousand rubles. Of course, in this case, the power will be at least 10 watts. The most expensive models of solar batteries cost 4-5 thousand rubles. and more. Such devices can no longer be called compact, since the equipment may include a display, a wide range of ports and plugs, as well as special fasteners. With the help of such a complex, you can recharge not only your phone, but also a full-fledged laptop.

Positive feedback on solar panels

Most of the laudatory opinions about the operation of solar panels come from users who specifically purchase such devices for use in nature. It is in the conditions of separation from civilization that one can highly appreciate the benefits of an alternative energy source - regardless of the outlet, and is the main advantage that almost all solar panels have. Reviews also note the multifunctionality of such devices. For example, in addition to being powered from the sun, batteries can be connected to a regular power grid and subsequently used to charge a mobile device once.

Negative reviews

Most solar cell manufacturers are represented in the Chinese market with all the characteristic drawbacks of such products. Experienced electronics users note that, in essence, the basis of batteries is represented by unfinished photovoltaic cells. That is, such panels are nothing more than blanks for more complex devices. At the same time, the low technological level goes against the price tags. The fact is that even the average cost of solar panels is 1-2 thousand rubles. in most cases, it is unreasonably high. For comparison - in the form only in rare cases cost more than 1 thousand rubles.

How to choose the best option?

In order not to miscalculate with the purchase of a solar battery, you should initially determine the level of required power, connectivity, and the size of the device. The optimal power level for the mid-range model is 3-4 watts. In terms of connectivity, a solar cell for a phone should at least support the USB and microUSB interfaces with which most modern mobile phones interact. In terms of dimensions, the choice is made individually, based on the nature of the device's operation.

Conclusion

Large world manufacturers are not yet striving to fully master and launch on the market chargers operating on the basis of solar photovoltaic cells. Therefore, the niche is occupied by little-known and, as a rule, small companies. Either way, the solar phone battery has no competitors on the market that can replace its function. The same are good only as a way to perform 3-4 power sessions, after which they themselves need to be connected to an outlet. In turn, solar batteries are capable of working for weeks or months in full autonomy, providing power from the photo panels.

This device does not depend on the mains power supply, so it can be used in the event of a power outage or in the wild. It should be noted that such a charger can be used not only for recharging mobile phones and smartphones, but also for devices such as an Mp3 player.

Using this solar cell to charge small devices is not difficult. You just need to connect the battery with a special cable to the charged device and make it so that the sun's rays fall on the solar battery.

Solar cells are quite efficient. Portable mobile phones can be charged in just one hour. The electrical energy obtained by converting a solar battery can be spent on an hour and a half of telephone conversations, sixty minutes of playing MP4 files or an hour of listening to music, as well as about five hours of playing time.

Principle of operation

The solar charger includes the following items:

1. which converts direct current to alternating current.
2. A battery that is equipped with a device designed to monitor the charge level.
3. A DC generator, which is a solar battery that converts solar energy into electrical energy.
4. The generator, in turn, includes a photoelectric converter, which in most cases is made of silicon, which is a rather expensive element. It can be polycrystalline silicon or monocrystalline silicon.

All elements of the charger are connected in series or in parallel. When connected in series, the output voltage is higher, and when connected in parallel, it is lower. So a combination of cells is often used, which increases the efficiency of the charger.

When sunlight hits the silicon cell, solar energy is converted. Then it accumulates in the battery, thereby ensuring a constant charge. With the help of an inverter, direct current is converted into alternating current.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of using a solar charger are:

1. Possibility of saving on electricity. Such a device will pay for itself in the very near future. The sun is a very convenient source of energy, much more convenient than the electrical grid. If there is the sun, then you can charge your mobile device with this device in nature or in the event of a power outage in absolutely any place.
2. A wide variety of charger models equipped with photocells, allows you to choose a charger for almost any device. It all depends on the area of ​​the photocell of the battery and the intensity of the sun's glow. The small charger can charge your phone, while the larger charger is suitable for powering a powerful laptop.
3. Energy from the sun is not only free, but also environmentally friendly. Solar panels do not have any negative impact on the environment.

If we talk about the shortcomings of chargers equipped with photocells, then it is worth noting that they are not very weighty and can hardly become a serious obstacle to the purchase of this charger.

Disadvantages of solar charging include:

1. If there is no direct sunlight, this can happen in cloudy weather, it is impossible to use the charger. For the same reason, the charger can only be used during daytime hours. Also, you have to plan charging, first knowing the weather forecast.
2. Charging time with photocell is slightly shorter than in the case of using conventional charging connected to the mains.

The main parameter that characterizes a charger equipped with a solar battery is the power, which in turn determines the charging speed and the list of devices suitable for charging.

Power is largely determined by the area of ​​the photocell. The larger the device, the more power and energy content of the battery the charged device can have. For example, a small charger equipped with a solar battery allows you to charge a mobile phone or player, but for a laptop it will be ineffective.

Most of the chargers that convert solar energy into electrical energy are designed to recharge small office equipment (cameras, photo frames, navigators, etc.) and mobile devices (phones, smartphones, etc.).

When choosing a charger, the most important thing to look for is power. For devices with high-energy batteries, it is necessary to choose chargers with a large photocell area.

You also need to verify the values ​​of the output current and the current that is needed to charge the device.

In addition, when choosing, you need to pay attention to the compatibility of the plug of the charging cable and the connector of the charged device. Although it is worth noting here that manufacturers rarely produce such chargers, suitable only for charging mobile phones, cameras, tablets or laptops, of only one brand.

Often a set of cables is included with a device equipped with a photocell, from which you need to choose the one suitable for the device being charged. In addition, the same charger can be used to recharge a variety of gadgets, not only mobile phones, but also, for example, cameras, although it all depends on the power of the charger.

Overview of models: their characteristics and prices

As mentioned above, the most important parameter of a charger equipped with a solar battery is power. The power of such devices varies from two to fifteen watts.

Devices with a power of up to three watts are suitable for charging only small devices, for example, players. It is not always suitable for mobile phones. Batteries are suitable for phones that can support power from three watts.

Devices with a capacity of five and a half six watts, in addition to mobile phones and smartphones, can charge small tablets, e-books and cameras, as well as other fairly functional devices with a relatively small energy capacity of the battery.

In order to be able to charge energy-intensive devices such as laptops and large tablets, you need to purchase a charger equipped with a photocell that is capable of supporting at least nine watts of power.

What determines the cost of a charger with a solar panel? First of all, on the size and power. The fact is that the most important parameter - power, depends on the area of ​​the photocell, and only then on the intensity of the glow. Accordingly, the larger the cell surface, the more energy the charged device receives after conversion. As mentioned above, silicon is an expensive material, therefore, a device created with its help will cost a lot.

Also, the cost of a charger equipped with solar panels is influenced by other materials used for production. The main function of elements made of these materials is to provide protection for the device and transfer energy.

Copper alloy cables are the best for power transmission, which have lower losses but are more expensive. Aluminum are cheaper, however, and the rate of energy loss during transmission is higher.

If the device is made using high-strength materials, then it will also cost more. However, it will last longer as it is protected from damage.

The cost of devices with low power - three or less watts, varies from one thousand rubles. Chargers equipped with photocells with a power of five to six watts cost from one and a half to two thousand. More than two thousand are devices with a capacity of about nine or more watts.

Examples of models of chargers for solar panels:

Sun-Battery 2198

The device is small in size, has a power of five watts and is used to charge phones and a player.

The cost is 1200 rubles.

Sun-Battery S-01 White

Can be used to recharge mobile devices and navigators.

The cost is 1750 rubles.

AP-3020

With a power of five and a half watts, it is suitable for charging tablets and mobile devices.

The cost is 2075 rubles.

SITITEK Sun-Battery SC-09

With a power of five watts, it is suitable for recharging small office equipment.

The cost is 3500 rubles.

POWERTRAVELER SOLARGORILLA

Has a high output power up to 20 watts and is suitable for charging all mobile devices, as well as laptops.

The cost is 15,990 rubles.

The author came up with the idea to create a solar charger for my phone. Typically, in order to charge a mobile phone, a constant voltage of 5 V is required. The voltage generated by solar panels is not constant and largely depends on the lighting conditions. Looking for a way out of this situation, the author drew attention to the KR142EN5A voltage stabilizer, which will allow the phone battery to be powered from the energy supplied by the solar battery.

Materials needed to create a solar charger:

1) solar panels with a voltage of 3V 2 pieces
2) a 5 V voltage regulator, in this case the KR142EN5A microcircuit
3) USB connector for phone power cable
4) wires
5) solder
6) hot melt glue
7) soldering iron

Consider the main points of creating this device.

The KR142EN5A stabilizer is a foreign analogue of the L7805CV, you can order them online or look at the radio parts store in your city. The main advantage of such a stabilizer is that when a voltage from 5 V to 15 V is applied to the input, it outputs stable 5 V.

This, in turn, means the possibility of using a solar panel with a generated voltage from 5 V to 15 V, according to the range of the stabilizer.

However, this circuit also has a drawback, which is that if the voltage supplied from the solar battery is less than 5 V, then the device will not charge the phone battery.

In addition to this stabilizer, a solar battery, USB connector, wires and other minor things were also purchased.
After all the necessary elements were prepared, the author proceeded to assemble the components of the charger.

Below you can see an example diagram of a solar battery charger:

The author had two solar panels with an operating voltage of 3 V. Since the device requires a voltage of at least 5 V to operate, the author simply connected these two batteries in series.

After that, all the elements were soldered into one circuit.

After assembling the device, the author tested its work on the phone. The solar battery was placed under light, and a mobile phone was connected to it via a USB connector.

As you can see in the photos, the phone battery started charging, which means that this device is working properly. This charger turned out to be very easy to assemble, contains a minimum of work with a soldering iron, but at the same time is very useful. Since its dimensions are minimal, it is quite convenient to take it with you and charge your phone if necessary.

Any person at least once in his life has come across an untimely discharged battery of an urgently needed electronic device, and many of us have such a nuisance on a regular basis.

The way to solve the problem is simple - you just need to get a compact external battery, recharge it in a timely manner and do not forget at home when going on business. We offer you a rating of the best external batteries in 2018 - the first half of 2019, compiled by feedback from experts and ordinary buyers. Just do not forget - in order to choose the best external battery, you need to really assess your needs and choose a device with the optimal capacity. As a first approximation, its value should be two times higher than the corresponding indicator of the battery of the gadget, which is supposed to be charged most often.

External battery capacity - what does it mean

By specifying the passport capacity for their external batteries, manufacturers write the truth, but not the whole thing. For example, the 13,000 mAh claimed for the Canyon CNE-CPB130, its built-in battery does. Only now it will be possible to fully charge a smartphone with a 4000 mAh battery with such a power bank only twice. The fact is that the nominal capacity here means the energy reserve accumulated by the device battery at its operating voltage. In this case, it is approximately equal to 3.7 volts, which is noticeably lower than the value determined by the USB specification. And insofar as mobile equipment has to be charged through this particular interface, the internal voltage is converted to standard 5 V with a proportional decrease in the available capacity. In addition, part of the energy is spent on the operation of the corresponding electronic circuit. For reference: currently external batteries use lithium-ion (3.6-3.7 V) or lithium-polymer (3.85 V) batteries, and the efficiency of the converters is in the range from 0.9 to 0.95.

Thus, knowing the "capacity" of the power bank and smartphone batteries, it is easy to calculate how many times you can charge the second device with the first device. To do this, the passport value of the capacity of the external battery must be multiplied by the operating voltage of its own battery (if the type is unknown, we take 3.6 V), divided by 5 volts of the USB interface, and the result must be multiplied by the efficiency (set by 0.9). As a result, we get the useful capacity of the device, which can be used when charging.

Concluding our example, we have (13000 * 3.7 / 5) * 0.9 = 8658 mAh, which is enough for two full charges, say, Xiaomi Redmi 4X with its 4,100 mAh battery. And a little more will remain "in reserve".