Solar Handheld Scanner

[BeerNutz]

Because I'm retired, I camp a bit in the national parks/forests, do nuisance bear removal, mountain rescue and disaster cleanup where there is usually no power. Seems kind of silly to run a loud generator just to charge a handheld scanner.

I recently received a solar AM/FM/NOAA radio as a gift. The thing is so small I thought it was a toy as it almost fits in my hand. I let it charge in the sun and turned it on. I was in shock it worked so well. Amazon sells them for $30, so they are not expensive to make.

Now, if GRE would only make a solar handheld scanner. I reckon there would be no room on top for a solar panel. I'm sittin here looking at my PSR-800 and there is plenty of room for a solar panel on either side. Lay it on its side in the sun and BOOM, a few hours later the radio would be charged.

Till someone makes one, I am looking for a portable, solar charger. Any better ideas out there?

 

[mrdquick]

I'm a ham (KD5WUV) and I've heard lots of recommendations for really mobile setups... Mainly portable handhelds. But here is some good stuff.

VoltaicSystems.com

 

[ResQguy]

Till someone makes one, I am looking for a portable, solar charger. Any better ideas out there?

Foldable Products | USB+AA | PowerFilmSolar.com does USB and AA batteries

 

[scannerboy01]

It would sure be handy to have a solar powered scanner and handheld transceiver. It always seems like the batteries are about to die or are dead, so I think a good idea for scanners and handheld transceivers would be to have a solar panel just like calculators, so that you never have to worry about checking the battery level.

 

[nanZor]

Till someone makes one, I am looking for a portable, solar charger. Any better ideas out there?

The portable foldable PowerFilm AA solar charger would work very well in this situation. They make a version that charges 4 AA's. They also make a version for only 2AA's, and has a USB port, so be careful - the 4 AA version is what you'd want for that radio.

With fully depleted 2300mah batteries, it will take about double the rated charge time for a FULL charge. About 7-8 hours. That's about 2 days or so, or perhaps less since they are thin-film and will charge in light shade (albeit at a much lower rate).

The trick to the PowerFilm chargers is NOT to pull the batteries when the indicators go solid, signifying a full charge. They are not - they are only 80% charged. At that rate, they go into trickle, so they need an additional 2 hours of trickle for a full charge. If you aren't babysitting them to watch for the solid-charge signal as soon as possible, then no problem.

I've used a LOT of solar charger setups, and found that the Powerfilm AA charger works great - as long as you remember to let them trickle for an additional 2 hours after the "full charge" indicator goes solid. This is for safety reasons for the full charge indicator to come on so soon - typically the whole setup is in the hot sun, or laid out on a hot surface, and this helps protect the cells from overcharging/cooking - allowing the slower trickle near the end to get that last 20% into them. Typically they run from anywhere from 300 to 400 mah fast rate, and then about 100mah trickle after the indicator goes solid.

I've tested cells charged via the Powerfilm AA charger on a Maha 9000 analyzer, and they do a good job if you let them get that additional trickle in - just let them stay out in the sun with a solid indicator for an extra hour or two and you'll be all set. Of course you could pull them sooner if you wanted.

This also applies to the 2-cell version with USB, although I've found that nearly all usb chargers that only use 2 cells pretty useless except for dire emergencies. Would be great for other radios that only need 2 cells however. Of course you don't have to use the usb port, and use it solely as a solar 2-cell AA charger.

They are also pretty smart - if it detects a cell with high-impedance, instead of kicking it out, it will attempt to trickle charge them at first, and then switch to full current charging if it can. I recommend starting out with high-quality cells first however.

I guess you can tell I'm a fan. At first I was disappointed because I could actually measure the capacity with the Maha, and then found the trick of allowing for 2 hours of trickle at the end was the cure. Highly recommended.

 

[BeerNutz]

Oh, you men are good. I was looking at my solar AM/FM/NOAA radio with its non-removeable battery through my typical narrow minded, alcoholic haze. Most handheld scanners have removeable batteries. With this setup, while using a radio, another set of batteries is back at camp, solar charging for the next day.

Looks like Powerfilm makes a number of excellent solar charging products. Rechargeable batteries with one of these units would go together like fish & sticks.

 

[nanZor]

Yep - and it easily fits folded up into a cargo pants pocket, or baggy pant.

I forgot to mention that another reason that the Powerfilm doesn't use something like a delta-v full-charge detection is that a charger powered directly by solar will tend to overcharge already full batteries every time a cloud / shadow etc passes over - starting the delta-v detection all over again. If it misses the delta-v that would be a bad thing. So initially fast-charging up to about 80% and then allowing the user to continue with slow-charging the last 20% means somebody was thinking when they designed it. Unfortunately they forget to mention the last part in the manual.

They normally come in black, but if you hunt around, you might find them in camo.

 

[LowBat]

I had the PowerFilm 4AA charger in the past. While it's a good little unit, my newer Goal Zero panels and charger are way way better. It even chargers my iPhone 4S via a USB port. Even better, I charge the 4 AAs in the charger during the day and use the charged pack to charge my phone overnight while sleeping. Shop around online for the best price.

Guide 10 Adventure Kit - Goal Zero | Portable Solar Power

 

[nanZor]

I've had 3 Goal Zeros, but had a bad run of QC problems with the chargers. The first one, I burned up by trying to charge only 3 cells for my Uniden handheld. Didn't see the warning about ONLY using 4 cells. My fault, so I didn't opt for the manufacturer replacement offer for melted chargers at the time.

Unfortunately the PowerFilm only charges in pairs, so I use a different solar setup for my uniden 3-cell packs.

Second Goal Zero charger failed with the dinky power slide switch. Third charger (the new one with internal temp sensor and better battery terminals) failed immediately when it smoked a coil that wasn't soldered onto the board.

They are a nice company, with good humanitarian efforts, good return policies, but my qc problems were frustrating.

 

[LowBat]

I guess I got lucky. I did have one of the original Guide 10 chargers that was reported to have overheating problems using the direct connect cord (not USB).While mine never overheated, I took advantage of their free replacement program and was mailed the upgraded model.

The only issue I had with clouds was charging my iPhone directly off the panels. iPhones are very picky and once the voltage dropped so did the charging. When the clouds passed I had to replug in the iPhone to restart the charging. The Guide 10 charging 4 AA batteries seems to restart itself after the clouds pass.

Another plus over the PowerFilm is the speed you can charge up your batteries or phone. Just takes a few hours and not most of the day.

 

[BeerNutz]

What if...

Instead of looking for a portable solar charger with dedicated AA charger or USB port, get one with a female DC outlet.

Years ago I use to travel the rivers of America in a trailerable houseboat. For large screen GPS, I used a laptop plugged into a power inverter so no loud, vibrating generator was needed.

Many portable electronics and rechargeable camp stuff are made to charge with a DC outlet. For AC, just plug the inverter into the solar panel. A mobile/base scanner or handheld could plug into the DC outlet. I could plug the PSR-800 into the solar panel or with an inverter, charge AA batteries with my AC charger.

Anyway ya go, it appears that no matter the solar panel output, (USB/AA/DC) they cost the same. If ya have a power inverter laying around, the female DC output may be the most efficient and cost effective??

 

[nanZor]

For AC, just plug the inverter into the solar panel...

Logical conclusion, but it doesn't work that way. Inverters need to be attached to batteries, not panels directly. And, you take at least a 30% hit in efficiency converting from dc to ac. Strive for direct dc chargers.

Also note that inverters are switching devices, and most are inherently noisy across the HF and sometimes vhf/uhf spectrum. If you can, go direct dc to help keep things quiet.

If you want to take it further, definitely check out these two forums for solar:

Solar Electric Power Discussion Forum by Northern Arizona Wind & Sun
and
Solar Forum - Discussion Board on Solar Panels and Solar Power Products

They will explain some common things like

Why a direct panel connect to an inverter doesn't work.
Why testing a solar panel attached to a solar charge controller without a battery doesn't work.
Why attaching a dc power supply to a solar charge controller might work in the bulk-charge phase, but will put a dead short across your power supply output when the battery reaches the voltage trip point. And why you no longer have a working power supply.

 

[BeerNutz]

What a ton of help I've received on this subject. For now, these items are on order.

Amazon.com: Goal Zero 19006 Guide 10 Adventure Kit with 4 Goal Zero AA Batteries: Automotive With this panel, I can use it as a dedicated AA/AAA battery charger. Or with the USB and 12 volt, use it to charge any small gadget. It is small enough to hang on backpack and charge as you walk.

Amazon.com: StrongVolt Solar Charger- 18W Portable Folding Solar Kit - Charges iPads, iPhones, Tablets, Phones or Anything with a USB Connection - Includes High Capacity Li-Polymer Power Bank - Features DUAL CHARGING - Charge 2 devices at the Same Ti Will be using this panel for charging a tablet, camcorder and other slightly larger units when back at camp. With its rechargeable battery, I can throw it is the sun and charge stuff while sleeping.

Amazon.com: Goal0 19004 Nomad 7 / Rockout Combo: Sports & Outdoors This solar setup is for fun. Really a duplicate of the other 7 watt panel cept will be mostly dedicated for charging an Mp3 player and rechargeable speaker. Can also be worn on a backpack or to charge other small gadgets.

Thanks again.