[Elecraft] Folding solar panel

[Mark Schreiner]

I think NorthernTool also sells a solar panel charge controller.  I 
bought one with the same solar panels that Don got but I haven't used it 
yet.  It is in the box waiting for the sun to come back out someday, HI 
HI!  When I bought the folding flexible solar panels I was thinking they 
might go well with backpacking for portable QRP operation.  I also 
bought a pair of smaller panels that folded like a book.  They came with 
a variety of adapters, presumably for charging a cellphone or something, 
maybe a K2.  It also had a compartment for AA batteries (I think).  
Again, it is still in the original shipping box with the other items I 
bought about 6 months ago, but there are some plans to use them someday.

Mark, NK8Q

Simon Brown (HB9DRV) wrote:

> What would be interesting for portable use is a whizzo box where I can 
> connect a Ni-MH battery and a solar cell and ensure that I neither 
> overcharge the battery nor provide too high a voltage to the radio (in 
> my case K1 or IC-703).
>
> Ideally I can then connect battery and solar cells as inputs and take 
> the Ni-MH's 12 to 13 volt (or so) output.
>
> Simon Brown
> ---
> http://blog.ham-radio.ch/
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Don Brown" <DolfinDon at msn.com>
>
>>
>> I just ordered 2 solar panels from Northerntool.com to experiment 
>> with. These panels are on close out and are rated at 5 watts. They 
>> appear to be about 4x5 when folded and fold out into 5 sections. It 
>> has a weather proof nylon shell with grommets at the corners for 
>> mounting. This looks like a great little panel for backpacking or 
>> other portable use. They are only $35 on sale now catalog number 
>> 339974-1615.
>>
>> I have seen similar panels go for much more than this and these are 
>> higher power than the popular VW panels. A small 2-5 amp gel cell and 
>> one of my low power solar controllers would be great for a K1 or KX1. 
>> You can also easily charge a 10 cell 2000-2500 mAH NiMH battery pack 
>> without a controller as long as you did not leave them on charge too 
>> long, about 4-5 hours with full sun. Usual disclaimers no connection 
>> with Northern Tool
>>
>
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