Club Arnage

Club Arnage => General Discussion => Topic started by: Lord Steve on June 07, 2009, 09:57:30 am



Title: Solar Charger
Post by: Lord Steve on June 07, 2009, 09:57:30 am
For anyone who hasn't left yet and who may be contemplating problems with mobile phone batteries......I picked up a natty little gadget yesterday in Millets. It's a solar charger called "Free Loader" the size of a fag packet and will charge phones, i pods and similar. It needs an initial charge up from the usb socket on your computer but after that takes it's energy from the sun. Cost me £32.99.
www.solartechnology.co.uk



Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: landman on June 07, 2009, 11:43:07 am
I like/need

Cannot find it on Millets website though  ???


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: nopanic - neil on June 07, 2009, 11:49:16 am
Maplins are good for gadgets,

I know it's not solar, but still good.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=228533

Maplins are good for lots of junk, you can even be your own pizza delivery man £ 19.99 -(http://images.maplin.co.uk/300/a03jh.jpg)


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: jpchenet on June 07, 2009, 12:04:51 pm
Maplins do the FreeLoader as well....same price



Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: Barry on June 07, 2009, 12:48:27 pm
I like/need


I hope the new iphone has a better battery life than the present one. ;)


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: Andy on June 07, 2009, 05:04:37 pm
If it helps anyone I have packed a Mains to usb charger


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: Steve Pyro on June 07, 2009, 05:23:36 pm
For anyone who hasn't left yet and who may be contemplating problems with mobile phone batteries......I picked up a natty little gadget yesterday in Millets. It's a solar charger called "Free Loader" the size of a fag packet and will charge phones, i pods and similar. It needs an initial charge up from the usb socket on your computer but after that takes it's energy from the sun. Cost me £32.99.
www.solartechnology.co.uk



Very optimistic Steve - you're obviously expecting sun  ;D


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: Lord Steve on June 07, 2009, 05:32:00 pm
For anyone who hasn't left yet and who may be contemplating problems with mobile phone batteries......I picked up a natty little gadget yesterday in Millets. It's a solar charger called "Free Loader" the size of a fag packet and will charge phones, i pods and similar. It needs an initial charge up from the usb socket on your computer but after that takes it's energy from the sun. Cost me £32.99.
www.solartechnology.co.uk



Very optimistic Steve - you're obviously expecting sun  ;D
Actually I am Steve, just checked on www.weather.com and it shows Le Mans as cloudy and wet up until Wednesday then Thursday to Monday inclusive are all sunny and 75 - 79 degrees. Rain is due to come back on Monday 15th but who gives a damn?????
This little charger thing actually seems to work well.
I did something right!!


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: Bas on June 07, 2009, 06:02:00 pm
This little charger thing actually seems to work well.
I did something right!!
Don't wanna rain on your parade Steve but you're on Houx, so what do you think we run the fridges, TV and stereo on?

I'm bringing my regular charger  ;)


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: wishy on June 07, 2009, 06:38:40 pm
I think i'll use neil's cigarette socket in his car ;D


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: Mr. Invincible Mou on June 07, 2009, 07:54:44 pm
I find that one of these usually does the trick  >:D

(http://www.bradleyequipment.com/assets/images/Portable_Generator_GP_6600A.jpg)


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: Lord Steve on June 07, 2009, 08:39:03 pm
This little charger thing actually seems to work well.
I did something right!!
Don't wanna rain on your parade Steve but you're on Houx, so what do you think we run the fridges, TV and stereo on?

I'm bringing my regular charger  ;)
Ah, I'd thought of that then realised that I don't have a mains charger for my phone. It's my eco-Le Mans this year so I'm harnessing the power of the sun. If it doesn't perform very well I may have to pinch a bit of your gennie-power providing someone has a Sony Ericsson charger. Come to think of it a new charger might have been considerably cheaper than my gadget.......

Steve


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: Piglet on June 07, 2009, 10:34:53 pm
We usually use an inverter in the boot of the car to power phones and camera batteries (well that and a feed off Smokie's electric connection that he usually manages!)


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: redstu on June 08, 2009, 01:24:54 pm
I use a solar charger left in the car windscreen to top up the battery, in essence it should be enough to replenish the load put on the battery from the alarm system, As our car typically does only short trips and is sometimes not used for days it seemed like a worthwhile investment. 
They were bought at maplins for £9.99 last year.


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: fagey on June 08, 2009, 03:32:04 pm
just ordered one from maplins for my car that is parked for a month at a time in St Malo.. got hacked off with having to get it jumped or keep disconnecting the neg terminal.. so over this weekend (unfortunately cant get to LM though :'() so hopefully those days will be over!!!


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: redstu on June 08, 2009, 10:58:08 pm
just ordered one from maplins for my car that is parked for a month at a time in St Malo.. got hacked off with having to get it jumped or keep disconnecting the neg terminal.. so over this weekend (unfortunately cant get to LM though :'() so hopefully those days will be over!!!

It should work fine, they will actually charge a flat battery if left long enough.


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: landman on June 09, 2009, 08:17:57 am
Thanks to Lord Steve I am now the owner of a Freeloader.

Parted with just over £30 at Maplins, which was the 3rd store I tried.

Millets and Argos had sold out.

Hope you're on commission!


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: Mr. Invincible Mou on June 09, 2009, 01:36:56 pm
In view of the weather reports from the scouting drinkers on the campsites, it would seem that your best option might be one of these

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Water_turbine.jpg/260px-Water_turbine.jpg)

 ::)


Title: Re: Solar Charger
Post by: Lord Steve on June 09, 2009, 07:02:51 pm
Thanks to Lord Steve I am now the owner of a Freeloader.

Parted with just over £30 at Maplins, which was the 3rd store I tried.

Millets and Argos had sold out.

Hope you're on commission!

Well done - I hope it works or you'll be chasing me with a warranty claim!!
We'll recognise each other in Le Mans as we'll be the two people walking around holding little panels up to the (hopefully) sun.
Eco Dudes!!