Solar panel charger

Anita · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject: Solar panel charger

Can anyone advise whether this would be suitable for a GO720?

I'm planning a trip to South Africa next year, and am trying to find a cheap alternative charging method in case the ciggy lighter socket in the hire care is faulty. At £4.67 with free worldwide shipping from the US it looks like the ideal solution, but I don't want to risk damaging my TomTom or having it not adequately charged.
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Anita
TomTom VIA 135 - App 12.075
UK map 1125.12264
Samsung Galaxy S21

Andy_P · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:55 pm Post subject:

So long as it adhered to the USB spec for voltage (which it appears to do) it shouldn't do any damage, but from the figures quoted it might well charge VERY slowly.

Solar battery: 0.4 W
Output voltage: 5.1V

That implies a max current of 0.08 Amps

A standard USB power connection (like on a PC) can provide 0.5 Amps
and a TT cigarette lighter adapter more than that (they are rated at 1 or 2 Amps on the 12Volt DC input.

I'd have thought you'd be better off with a mains charger and international plug adapters (the TT "fast charger"reckons it does a full charge in 2 hours).
Or if you think it has to be kept charged on the road, then a "Heath Robinson" cable with a cigarette lighter socket on one end and crocodile clips to go straight onto the car battery at the other would cover all eventualities.
I keep one in the car for camping trips for charging mobile phones etc. after I changed cars for one that didn't have a permanently powered cigarette lighter socket.

253 · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:24 am Post subject:

Morpeth Mobiles have a 'booster' for about £10, takes 4 x AAA batteries (not included). So you could buy rechargeable batteries and charger from Maplins, and use them. At least you would have a chargeable unit in car.
But a lot of stuff to carry around.

I have seen other solar chargers for mobiles and laptops, but no idea how good they are. I bought one that was supposed to trickle feed a car battery about 4 years ago - it was crap. I think they are still 'touted' in some magazines.
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Triumph Tbird 1700. And now a Bonnie T100.

Anita · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:26 am Post subject:

Thanks for the advice, Andy.

I shall take a mains charger to use overnight, so I start each day fully charged. I had hoped the solar charger would provide enough power to keep the TT running if necessary, but obviously not, so I won't bother.

I shall probably get a usb battery box and take loads of rechargeable AA batteries in case of problems when it just might help a little (and would be useful for the mobile phone anyway), and hope that the ciggy socket in the hire car works.
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Anita
TomTom VIA 135 - App 12.075
UK map 1125.12264
Samsung Galaxy S21

Anita · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:33 am Post subject:

Thanks, 253. It looks as if we were both typing about the same thing at the same time! Very Happy

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Anita
TomTom VIA 135 - App 12.075
UK map 1125.12264
Samsung Galaxy S21

Oldboy · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:50 am Post subject:

A bit more expensive, but something like This might be want you want.
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Richard

TT 910 V7.903: Europe Map v1045
TT Via 135 App 12.075: Europe Map v1120

AndyBB · Lifetime Member Joined: Sep 25, 2004 Posts: 11

I have got both of the Solar Chargers you are looking at and can support Richard with his comment that the Freeloader may be a better option for you. The freeloader has a rechargeable battery pack inside it which charges up from the solar cells or any mini USB type voltage supply. At a time when the car TT power cord is working or when you can use the mains charger you could also boost up this pack I have just taken mine from the cupboard not used in the last month and plugged it into a TomTom One for you and it looks to be charging it ok. The cheap one I cannot test right now for you ..... it is dark here ! I used the cheap one in brilliant sunlight and it was fussy over what it would and would not charge so I suspect it operates a bit lower than the 5V USB rating.

Anita · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:20 am Post subject:

Thanks, Richard.

Do you think that would deliver enough power to keep the 720 running if it was fully charged overnight?
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Anita
TomTom VIA 135 - App 12.075
UK map 1125.12264
Samsung Galaxy S21

Anita · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:28 am Post subject:

Thanks, Andy. I've ruled out the cheap one anyway, but if the FreeLoader can be charged via the TT mains charger that looks a possibility. I'll look into it further.
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Anita
TomTom VIA 135 - App 12.075
UK map 1125.12264
Samsung Galaxy S21

Oldboy · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:35 am Post subject:

It should have a reserve from it's own internal battery, and can supply another 120mA from the Solar Panel at the same time, so it should, in theory, double the battery time.

At a guess. Smile

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Richard

TT 910 V7.903: Europe Map v1045
TT Via 135 App 12.075: Europe Map v1120

Darren · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:53 am Post subject:

What about the PowerMonkey I reviewed a while back> It has a solar charger AND backup battery with power tips and international adapters, reviewed here.
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Darren Griffin

253 · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:05 am Post subject:

Anita · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:23 am Post subject:

You're right there, 253! Laughing

Thanks for all the help, everyone. Lots to look at and think about.

The PowerMonkey is very tempting, Darren, but sadly I really don't think I can justify spending £65 when, hopefully, the hire car will have a working ciggy lighter socket so I won't need it anyway.
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Anita
TomTom VIA 135 - App 12.075
UK map 1125.12264
Samsung Galaxy S21

wazzzzupmate · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:37 am Post subject:

I have the freeloader and would not recommend it to operate the tomtom in the car. It will charge the tomtom, switched off, for about 30 mins. But with the tomtom operational, screen illuminated, you will get a much reduced operational time.
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Tomtom Go 400
Tomtom 1.15.1 for Iphone

Darren · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:43 am Post subject:

I too have a Freeloader and found it pretty poor tbh. The battery pack isn't capable of charging a GPS nor an iPhone or even some of my mobile phones without expiring mid-charge.
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Darren Griffin

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