Solar Charger?

[Dave L]

I tried the search feature and didn't find much, so I'll start a thread. Has anyone ever seen, or perhaps cobbled up, a solar charger?

What I was thinking was that one could salvage a bunch of solar cells from old yard lights and put together a charger for ecigs (or laptops or cell phones). I don't know much about electrics, thinking I should learn. Dunno if there would be a market for such an item but it might be handy one day. You could take it camping - or if the SHTF like some folks think it will, it'd sure be cool to still be able to vape!

 

[Boiler]

I ran across this once - seems like it's at a dead end:

Solarplex solar powered e-cig mod reviews

 

[LKnives]

Solar Mobile Charger for Electronic Cigarette

My job here is done, now I must return to the internet. (Or my bed, which is a better sounding idea)

 

[Dave L]

Thanks, guys!

 

[mommyofdoom]

Since most have a USB cord, wouldn't just a USB solar charger work? They run around $25 on Amazon

Here's one example:

Amazon.com: Opteka BP-SC4000 Ultra Thin Solar Powered High Capacity (4000mAh) Backup Battery and Charger for Cell Phones, iPhone, iPod, and Most USB Powered Devices: Electronics

 

[LKnives]

Eeeyup, now I'd just need a USB charger for my 18650 batteries.

 

[wyldman82601]

i have a solar power cell phone charger i bought at walmart that i use to charge my passthrough ego battery when im at work , works awesome, i can charge my ego batts twice off of on echarge on the solar

 

[Haktuspit]

If I was to ever buy a solar charger it would def have to be this one.

Imagine: A world full of zombies. Food and water are hard to come by. You're on the run but you have a backpack full of e-juice, clearos, carts and batteries you've been hoarding for months (other non essential items have been left behind). All the tobacco fields are gone and those that are cig smokers have nowhere to turn. You however happily vape away on your ego's all day and charge them up every time it's sunny out!

Solar Charger, Solar Backpack, Solar Laptop Charger, USB Battery

 

[adeline]

Here's one built into an eGo case! 4,000mah battery.

Solar Powered PCC Case

 

[mkbilbo]

What I was thinking was that one could salvage a bunch of solar cells from old yard lights...

Not really, no. I salvage those for potential future widgets. They're meant to trickle charge NiCads over a ten to fourteen hour period and have no real charge regulation, just blocking diodes. The ones commonly used in LED "garden decorations" usually put out 60 to 70mA per hour at around 3v. That's a good four hours in full sun to charge a 280mAh battery. You'd need four to get the charge time to an hour. And this is all talking NiCad batteries. Not LiPo.

Lithium polymer (LiPo as they call 'em) is trickier. Now there are chips that do regulation (lot of vape kits must use them) but typical input is about 5v at 510mA. 5v half amp solar cell... so 2.5 watt minimum. Add some for inefficiency, not getting direct sun all the time... at least 3 watt?

I can find a durable 6v 3.4w for $35. A LiPo circuit kit, $25. So $60 to start. But you can get solar USB for less.

Come to think, though, what would be kinda cool would be something like a Sunforce 15w panel charging a small sealed lead acid, drop that to a 5v regulated USB and charge away...

 

[Beardo]

Eeeyup, now I'd just need a USB charger for my 18650 batteries.

I call this 'the eVic'

 

[Stef1821]

This sounds like an awesome idea. I could use one when I go camping and hiking.

 

[Light Seeker]

I've seen those radios with cranks on it ... Often sent to third world countries without electric. Thats just what we need - a provari with a crank generator handle on it

 

[jazon1]

i was actually thinking of getting one of the laptop solar chargers that run 12V but have usb so i could charge up my 18650's and egos when out camping and stuff without having to leave battery's charging in the car unattended.