solar charger

mrgrimsby · Regular Visitor Joined: Mar 05, 2007 Posts: 147

Could this item; http://www.solartechnology.co.uk/products/Solar_chargers/freeloader.asp
power the tomtom 1 v2 sat nav??? it has a mini usb adapter??

mikealder · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:41 am Post subject:

Yes and No, the Free Loader contains a re-chargable battery that is topped off (charged) using the solar cells, the battery itself when fully charged will power the TT device for a short duration (certainly less than two hours). Once the battery is depleted you would have to wait for the solar panels to charge it back up again. The solar cells do not have sufficiant electrical capacity to power the TomTom device outright.

I use one of these as a portable power pack for my phone/ GPS etc, it worked very well while the sun was about, not much of that around at the moment though - Mike

Darren · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:28 am Post subject:

I've got one and even when left to charge from a USB source for 12 hrs it wouldn't re-charge my mobile expiring after a few minutes.

Mine also does not operate as a charge hub as claimed. Your supposed to be able to connect it to a USB source to charge and then connect another device to it to charge even if the battery is discharged. I though this would eb sueful as it has charge tips for devices that i don't have USB cables for.

Sadly it doesn't work, does yours Mike? As it is I couldn't recommend it.
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Darren Griffin

mikealder · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:33 am Post subject:

I does work and will charge a normal phone or BT GPS unit, it also connects and charges the TomTom One XL - but there is no way it could solar power a TomTom device on its own, you should take yours back as it sounds like its faulty to me - have you tried charging it from the PC before using it? - Mike

Darren · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:41 am Post subject:

It does sound as if mine is faulty. I don't have the packaging or receipt any more so I'll have to put it down to experience.
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Darren Griffin

mrgrimsby · Regular Visitor Joined: Mar 05, 2007 Posts: 147

thanks for the info chaps, I will give it a miss for now, I reckon technology will improve in this area over the next few years anyway .

PaulBt · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:12 am Post subject:

This might be a better option, it has more power, and comes with a cigarette lighter socket, which the GPS can plug straight into.

Sunlinq

Cheers
Paul
_________________
TT720 V8.010, regular audio book user.
WestEuro v805 connected to E90 on O2
TT910 V6.525, TTN5, TTN3, TT on Psion 5mx

PaulBt · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 2:27 pm Post subject:

I just tried one of these Sunlinq 6.5W and when attached to the screen mount and using the vehicle power cable, the green light came on and it powered up the TT910 and under the battery symbol it sometimes said charging. It only said charging some of the time as it is very cloudy, the TomTom even got drops of rain on it.

I haven't tried it with any other units yet, but as long as I'm using the TomTom supplied cigarette lighter cable then it will sort out the voltage conversion from panel to GPS.

Cheers
Paul
_________________
TT720 V8.010, regular audio book user.
WestEuro v805 connected to E90 on O2
TT910 V6.525, TTN5, TTN3, TT on Psion 5mx

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