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Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Houston, Tejas
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Practical mini-solar charging station

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.
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The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the engineer adjusts the sails.- William Arthur Ward (1921-1994)
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Old 05-06-2014, 05:14 AM
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