Practical mini-solar charging station

[red-beard]

We've been designing some mini-solar charging stations. I saw this system for sale at Costco for $99

Goal Zero Switch 8 & Nomad 7 Kit | Complete Solar Kits | Goal Zero

The problem is, this thing can't fully charge an iPhone off the battery.

I have a design which could charge up to 6 iPhones off the battery plus it would have a 12VDC outlet. The battery could run a LED flood lamp (75W equal) for 5 hours. Solar panels would be 15W. You could run any 12V car accessory with the unit.

Is $99 a breakpoint for you? Could you afford $199 for my version?

How much is weight an issue? Would 5 lbs be too much for everything? Would you pay $279 for the unit to weigh only 3 lbs?

Is UL rating important to you? The Goal-Zero unit is not UL rated.

How about made in USA?

Our present product is $750/$999(light)

10 lbs/6lbs
144 Watt-hours - Will charge at least 25 iPhones from dead, 4 at a time.
30 Watt Solar Panel
NEMA 4X/IP67 rated
UL Rated
Will run the LED flood light (75W equal) for 15 hours.

[stealthn]

I saw a unit yesterday it was a solar powered car jumper, air compressor and outlet all in one, very cool for $99

Back on topic $199 is too much, UL is important, 5 lbs is fine.

[stomachmonkey]

The 4 P's.

Performance: How fast do I need to charge something?
Portability: Do my activities dictate I carry it all the time or can I leave it at base.
Practicality: How many devices do I realistically need to charge / run.
='s Price: How much I am willing to pay.

Performance and Practicality are somewhat co-dependent. If it charges quick I don't need to charge X number of units simultaneously.

For me it's not a one size fits all product.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by stealthn

I saw a unit yesterday it was a solar powered car jumper, air compressor and outlet all in one, very cool for $99

Back on topic $199 is too much, UL is important, 5 lbs is fine.

Any brand details on the unit? I see a lot of units out there, but most can't really do what they claim. Running an compressor I can see. Jumping a car? No.

James

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

The 4 P's.

Performance: How fast do I need to charge something?
Portability: Do my activities dictate I carry it all the time or can I leave it at base.
Practicality: How many devices do I realistically need to charge / run.
='s Price: How much I am willing to pay.

Performance and Practicality are somewhat co-dependent. If it charges quick I don't need to charge X number of units simultaneously.

For me it's not a one size fits all product.

The cell phone ports will charge an iPhone at 1A and an iPad at 2A, which I believe are the standard rates you would get from a wall charger.

Again, our designs are presently for the industrial market, but I see people wanting these for use at hunting camps, camping, etc.

For something to retail for $99, I will see what I can do. It will still be at least twice what the other guys are doing...

James

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by stealthn

I saw a unit yesterday it was a solar powered car jumper, air compressor and outlet all in one, very cool for $99

Back on topic $199 is too much, UL is important, 5 lbs is fine.

Oh, and I would check out the unit you saw and see if it has UL. Most say CE and FCC...

James

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by red-beard

The cell phone ports will charge an iPhone at 1A and an iPad at 2A, which I believe are the standard rates you would get from a wall charger.

Again, our designs are presently for the industrial market, but I see people wanting these for use at hunting camps, camping, etc.

For something to retail for $99, I will see what I can do. It will still be at least twice what the other guys are doing...

James

Would like. Need enough for back country and bicycle distance touring / camping. Charge for led bike/flashlight, GPS and universal (non-apple) smartphone.

Ps: Skip the UL marketing and wasted dollars for acronyms.

[scottbombedout]

Can I sell it in the UK for you?

BTW sounds like it could be a great product.

[intakexhaust]

mini? go big time

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by scottbombedout

Can I sell it in the UK for you?

BTW sounds like it could be a great product.

I think you need sunshine for the solar part.

[porwolf]

$99.- for "'Goal Zero" 8 Watt solar panel? Why not get HF 45 Watts for $199.-?

Solar Panel Kit - Save on this 45 Watt Solar Panel Kit

[red-beard]

The Harbor Freight kit doesn't include a battery

And UL isn't marketing. It is safety.

[nota]

lite and anti-corrosive for boat use ?

lots of boats are keep at anchor not on a dock with shorepower

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by nota

lite and anti-corrosive for boat use ?

lots of boats are keep at anchor not on a dock with shorepower

The Solar Panels are 6061, so they are marine grade. The systems are NEMA 4X, waterproof and non-rusting. So, yep they will work in a Marine environment,

[BeeMaster]

I would say you need a couple different models, does your devise have a 110 outlet
To run a power tool? Or is it set up to drain and recharge slowly.

[rusnak]

I think compactness, durability, quality of materials, and ease of use are more important that sheer weight. You sacrifice all of the above for less weight. Look at hiking gear.

I would buy a charging station that came either in a case or was durability coated, has an attached cord so that you can't lose all of the little pieces, and was well made. I'd spend up to a few hundred bucks if it could recharge my laptop and phone. I don't need to run power tools off of it. I have generators for that kind of thing.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by BeeMaster

I would say you need a couple different models, does your devise have a 110 outlet
To run a power tool? Or is it set up to drain and recharge slowly.

With a system this size, a power tool is a little ambitious. The 144 watt hour battery would run a regular drill (5 amp at 110VAC) for under 15 minutes, and at that draw, probably more like 5-10 minutes.

I do make larger systems which incorporate inverters, but we're talking about a tiny system for around $199.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by rusnak

I think compactness, durability, quality of materials, and ease of use are more important that sheer weight. You sacrifice all of the above for less weight. Look at hiking gear.

I would buy a charging station that came either in a case or was durability coated, has an attached cord so that you can't lose all of the little pieces, and was well made. I'd spend up to a few hundred bucks if it could recharge my laptop and phone. I don't need to run power tools off of it. I have generators for that kind of thing.

That is basically what this will do. High quality Gas Proof/Water Proof box. Accessories fit inside the box, except solar panel which is in its own case.

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by red-beard

And UL isn't marketing. It is safety.

It is a big part of product marketing and a lot of bs too. I happen to be near the labs and without getting my azz dragged into some legal fiasco, have heard of some troubling tactics. Money grab by an independent company. BTW: Have had not one BUT TWO U.L. approved Bunn coffee makers gone bad and of a dangerous design. In fact, one was recalled and the replacement had the same problem.

Old article but nothings changed.
UL Drawing Fire on Product-Safety Tests - Los Angeles Times

Just build a quality product and c.y.a..