Built-in Blocking Diode Protects Battery Discharge at Night
Made of Durable Nylon with a High Efficiency Thin Film Solar Cell
Works with Automobiles, RV’s, Boats & Small Electronics
Customer Reviews
Takes a beating
This baby charges up the 8 volt battery in my 1949 international tractorparked out in the orchard quite well. I even ran over it with an empty trailer, and left it out in the rain! I can use large metal spring clamps to hang it anywhere to catch the afternoon sun. Haven't tried it camping yet.
November 14, 2008
(San Jose, CA) | Helpful Votes: 40 | Rating: 5
Saved Us in the Forest
I often go Gold & Gemstone hunting and use quite a bit of 12volt equipment, including a forgotten 12v cooler plugged into the dash. Upon leaving the car for a day to prospect a small stream, the cooler drained our battery dead. We returned with only about 2 hours of daylight left, found the battery dead and I immediately removed the charger from my backpack and began charging the battery with direct sunlight. As the sun was setting we "tried it" and there was just enough charge to start us up and we drove the 12 miles out of the forest instead of having to walk it out for help.Not only does the product work, but it has changed the way I think about solar energy. Needless to say, since it saved us that day in the forest, I am rating this product with 5 stars.
Excellent
I bought one of these about three years ago. I put it on the dashboard of my pickup to keep the battery charged, as the truck did a lot of sitting in the driveway. It worked fine for at least a year. Actually I don't know how long it worked. One day, just on a lark, I put a multimeter on it to see if it was still working, and found that it wasn't putting out 12 volts. After almost two years since I bought it, I sent it back to Sunforce (in Canada) and they sent me a brand new one! I've since had the new one installed in the truck for over a year. Just checked it yesterday and it's still cranking out the volts. I have it wired directly to the battery, as my Toyota pickup cigar lighter outlet isn't active unless the ignition is on.I am buying another one for backpacking to run a AA battery charger and keep GPS battery charged. Because it's so lightweight, it should be very good for this purpose.Nice of them to send me another one after nearly two...
Built-in Blocking Diode protects battery discharge at night
Customer Reviews
Very useful
I use this folding solar panel to recharge my battery-powered equipment when I am camping and sea kayaking. So far it has worked very well. I have recharged my portable DVD player, my cell phone, my camera batteries and my VHF radio. All you need is sun, which can be a little iffy here in the Pacific Northwest. The good news is that the panel still charges even when the sky is lightly overcast, although not at the rate when it is receiving direct sunlight. It has been durable, and is compact. Definitely recommended!
January 30, 2011
(Charleston, SC USA) | Helpful Votes: 9 | Rating: 4
No, I didn't own one, but...Now I do
This is another example of Amazon's tendency to toss all reviews into the same pot in a "close enuff is good enuff" kinda way.Just thought I'd point out that there are two models of this product - 6.5 watt and 12 watt. The 6.5 watt model is named "12-VOLT". 12 watt is named "12-WATT" and costs about twice as much (logical, since it is has twice the panel surface). You can tell which one is being reviewed, if you happen to notice "Volt" or "Watt", but it is easy to miss unless you previously stumbled onto the "option" button on the product page.The "12-Volt" fella producing 6.5 watts puts out a little under half an amp current. A nice trickle charge for smaller gadgets. The "12-Watt" model puts out almost one amp. This would charge smaller gadgets faster and provide a reliable charger for, say, a motorcycle battery. Either would get a car battery to a useable level after a while, and keep a charged battery topped off safely, but would not to provide a (car...
May 5, 2011
| Helpful Votes: 12 | Rating: 5
Lives up to its promises.
This solar panel is a very capable and compact power source. In the cold February sun I measured 14.96 volts DC at 890 milliamperes, well in excess of rated power .. and I can only imagine what June's sunshine will deliver. The unit folds well and lies flat when unfolded once it's been allowed to warm a little in the sun. Doesn't appear to 'crinkle' when folding or unfolding as I've read some will do. The connector is very secure and the supplied cables well made. I haven't yet determined if the supplied 8ft extension cord causes any line loss.This panel fits nicely into its carrying bag, goes in easily but can be difficult to pull out .. owing to an inside seam that catches the panel; you soon learn to curl the array a little to facilitate removal from the bag. I would also advise against putting any real weight on the folded panel as the electrical connector is contained inside when folded and can create an impression on the cells. I'm looking for a small clear plastic...
List Price: $149.99
Price: $79.99 You Save:$70.00 (47%)
Customer Reviews
Durable Lightweight Solar Charger
This product is primarily for 5vDC recharge of AA/AAA 1.5v batteries, but can also be used to recharge anything using up to 4.5vDC input*.These type of CIGS flexible solar panels have evolved over the last decade to be the most used portable lightweight and dependable DC sources for the military electronics worldwide anytime/anyplace.Match your INPUT requirement to an appropriate OUTPUT voltage/wattage DC panel, and everything is great. But do not try to just get something cheap, thinking they are all the same. Check your requirements before buying any solar panel, then get what whatever size panel you need.*NOTE: there is a reported problem with iPhone error messages, but the problem is with Apple configuration, not the iPhone or the panel, ignore the messages, panels work fine to recharge. Also see USB solar panels.
January 30, 2012
(Cleveland, OH USA) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 5
Can't charge Iphones
I tried to charge my iphone 4 when there was complete sunlight out. My iphone said the accessory isn't compatible. It doesn't produce enough juice to charge my iphone 4.
July 11, 2011
| Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 1
Review of 15-Watt 1.5 amps at 12 volts Sunforce solar panel 7-Amp solar charge controller
