I am headed into a situation where I have to manage my power footprint carefully. Gas for generators is expensive and hard to get. Solar panels with batteries is also available.

I can take my inverter if I have to but would rather not. Is there a way to charge SWIT 8U62 batteries from the solar power system without the energy loss of an inverter then AC to DC charger?

Only peripherally related to your question but in my experience working in the developing world, WE always had a car and driver at our disposal for getting around and made CONSTANT use of the 12v cigarette or power point outlets to charge using SMALL output DC-AC converters and then plugged in the normal charger.

Of course if you don't have a vehicle, you are back to your initial question.

As far as I know no one makes a specific EXcam charger that can use 12v (11-17 is what you get from a car battery).

Maybe someone here knows of a third party 12v DC charger for Sony / Swit EX batts.

There are many inverters available. There is some loss but that is your only bet I think.

My new production vehicle a Chevy Traverse actually has 110AC outlets built in, I use them all the time for charging cam batts. Earlier in my Tahoe I used an AB brand inverter, it served me for 10 years w/o problems, it had a circuit that cut power if voltage dropped below 13v I think, so you always have enough power to start the Truck.

Our chargers will do that with the help of a DC adapter. It is covered here FAQ (http://dolgin.net/FAQ.htm) scroll down to the middle of the page
HTH

Alex. Thanks. That solves it. To leave bread crumbs for those who follow, the voltage regulator site doesn't have a URL to the part number but I have included a screen shot. It's listed under DC to DC Chargers section of PowerStream Power Supplies and Chargers for OEMs in a Hurry (http://powerstream.com/)

TC200-EX Charger: Battery charger TC200-EX 2 position [TC200-EX] - $289.00 : Dolgin Engineering, Camera Power Solutions (http://dolgin.net/zen_dolgin/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=47)

You are welcome Les. I suggest you check with the Solar Panel manufacturer to see what max. voltage it might develop on a sunny day, to make sure the converter will not get damaged with too much...