Portable Laptop Computer Charger Plan

[dabbler]

Hi everybody,

I have browsed YouTube and researched a bit -- but I am a newbie to all things solar. I want to construct a simple (I hope) solar setup to run my laptop when I am in the mountains or on a hike. Here is my plan, and I would like to get your feedback:

(1) PowerFilm F16-1800 30W Foldable Solar Panel Charger (Amazon) :
Operating voltage: 15.4V, Operating Current: 1.8A

(1) Energizer XP18000 Universal AC Adapter with External Battery for Laptops, Netbooks, and More : Rated Input: 19V, 3.5A

From what I have inferred from the web, the XP18000 has built-in circuitry to regulate power input and output to/from the battery. The most appealing thing about this setup to me is that I can use the XP18000 for multiple uses in addition to powering my laptop.

With my limited knowledge, I "think" that I can simply use the (included) female 12V cigarette lighter connector from the solar panel, and a auto charge adapter from Radio Shack to plug in the XP18000 for its daily charging. I "think" that the battery will charge with this, but that it will take longer time due to the reduced wattage of the solar powered input. I also considered the 60W foldable solar panel, but I don't want to spend that much money for now. I suppose at some future paycheck, I could daisy-chain two of the 30W panels together to get effectively the same thing.

What do you think? Is this workable, or am I missing something? And thanks in advance for considering the question of a total newbie.

[Mike90250]

Unless you will be off grid for weeks, just carry a spare laptop battery. Or get a low power tablet PC. Folding solar and battery is buky and expensive.

[Sunking]

I want to construct a simple (I hope) solar setup to run my laptop when I am in the mountains or on a hike.

Unless you will be off grid for weeks, just carry a spare laptop battery. Or get a low power tablet PC. Folding solar and battery is buy and expensive.

So you want to carry around 75 to 100 pounds of dead weight while climbing a mountain huh? Let us know how that works out for you.

[inetdog]

So you want to carry around 75 to 100 pounds of dead weight while climbing a mountain huh? Let us know how that works out for you.

What about using the solar panel to supplement the built-in battery of the computer (using an airline/car power supply)? Would that have any chance of working AND making any useful difference?

[billvon]

What about using the solar panel to supplement the built-in battery of the computer (using an airline/car power supply)? Would that have any chance of working AND making any useful difference?

You could if:

1) you build a regulator to limit voltage to your laptop's voltage limit. 16V works well. 19V doesn't work as well.

2) you use a panel about 50% larger than your laptop's minimum draw. (which means around a 30 watt panel.)

3) you use it only in full sun.

If you don't hit the laptop's minimum draw it will exhibit all sorts of odd behavior - cycling on and off, refusing to start a charge etc.

[DBaldwin]

So you want to carry around 75 to 100 pounds of dead weight while climbing a mountain huh? Let us know how that works out for you.

Obviously your picking up rocks on your hike, the solar module weighs something like 2 lbs and the battery cant weigh more than a pound.


I would recommended the battery not the solar module. They are way over priced, what I would do is get a normal aluminum frame 30w panel like a suntech or solarworld to charge your battery before your adventures. That way your just taking your battery with you. Which should completely charge your laptop once. Also those aluminum frame panels weigh less than 9 lbs, so those would be manageable on a hike. Just a suggestion. Hope that was helpful.

[russ]

Obviously your picking up rocks on your hike, the solar module weighs something like 2 lbs and the battery cant weigh more than a pound.


I would recommended the battery not the solar module. They are way over priced, what I would do is get a normal aluminum frame 30w panel like a suntech or solarworld to charge your battery before your adventures. That way your just taking your battery with you. Which should completely charge your laptop once. Also those aluminum frame panels weigh less than 9 lbs, so those would be manageable on a hike. Just a suggestion. Hope that was helpful.

2 lbs or 1 lb or 9 lbs? Carrying a solar panel along to recharge a laptop means sitting and not hiking.

[Sunny Solar]

I know this sounds crazy,,, (mabe it is) how about getting a bicycle helmut and make a very lightweight aluminium frame and stretch out a lightweight foldup solar panel on it. ?/
You only need carry a small SLA battery about 3ah to even out the panel output.. and a 12v to 19v? laptop car charger.
Even one extra laptop battery wont extend the life that much really. my net book lasts about 6 hrs on one charge and a spare and expensive battery weighs about 1 lb . that still only give a max 12 hrs.

[russ]

I know this sounds crazy,,, (mabe it is) how about getting a bicycle helmut and make a very lightweight aluminium frame and stretch out a lightweight foldup solar panel on it. ?/
You only need carry a small SLA battery about 3ah to even out the panel output.. and a 12v to 19v? laptop car charger.
Even one extra laptop battery wont extend the life that much really. my net book lasts about 6 hrs on one charge and a spare and expensive battery weighs about 1 lb . that still only give a max 12 hrs.

How to insure adequate cells are facing the sun at any given time to get enough power to use - unless you somehow install a tracker system that rotates your head or you walk in circles to follow the sun

[Sunny Solar]

well if you are walking most of the time you are facing straight ahead. so if the panel is mounted flat on top of the helmut it would not matter which way you are walking.
Even if it worked only 76.347 % of the time it is still going to be better than no chargiing at all .. and really its the lightest solution. and it would make a great sun shade.And its easily placed on the ground whenever you need to rest.
Carrying a few extra laptop batteries is a lot more weight.

[russ]

I consider any unit that is to produce when it moves a total waste - 99% of the time that will be correct

[Sunny Solar]

mabe. Do you have a viable alternative suggestion for the person ?

[russ]

mabe. Do you have a viable alternative suggestion for the person ?

The old way - without electronics

[Mike90250]

I know this sounds crazy,,, (mabe it is) how about getting a bicycle helmut and make a very lightweight aluminium frame and stretch out a lightweight foldup solar panel on it. ?/......

Do you have any idea what a lightweight, fold up PV panel costs ? about $5K per sq foot, if you can find them for sale.640px-Earth_horizon_and_International_Space_Station_solar_panel_array_%28Expedition_17_crew%2C_A.jpg

[Roil]

Gentlemen (and ladies?)

Modern computers are hight power consumers. The kids Macbooks are our biggest consumers when we are off Grid. The chargers typically consume 60-80W and needs charging for hours. I can not understand how any portable solution should be capable of producing that kind of power.

How about using an ipad?