Solar Battery Charger at DVinfo.net

Michael LaFortune · February 13th, 2011, 01:56 PM

I'm looking for a solar battery charger that can handle Canon and Sony batteries. The system must be durable enough to stand high humidity and heat typical of tropical climates. Anyone have any experiences or suggestions on a system? Tried B&H and their response was there are no solar chargers on the market for those cameras.

Allan Black · February 13th, 2011, 04:58 PM

There was a thread on another forum about some guy adapting a solar charger rig for his DV cam batteries for a canoe trip.

Try Googling camping and outdoor sites.

Cheers.

Michael LaFortune · February 14th, 2011, 05:55 AM

Will give that a try.
Thanks Allan.

Wayne Reimer · February 14th, 2011, 10:17 AM

Michael,
You may want to have a look at Horizon Fuel Cell technologies. I purchased a minipak ( around $100) for a trip in Central America last fall and it worked extremely well.
It's about the size of a point and shoot camera, and is effectively a very small hydrogen fueled generator. You screw in a small unpressurized hydrogen container, and it pumps out electricity...The containers are safe for travel, can be refilled, and each one gave enough power to recharge a set of 4 AA batteries about a dozen times. I wouldn't rely on it as a sole power source, but for complete off the grid recharging, it's a pretty slick little device

Erik Norgaard · February 14th, 2011, 12:01 PM

I think this might be what you're looking for, Brunton SolarRoll:

Brunton SolarRolls™

Seems to meet your requirements: "The SolarRoll is designed to operate in a temperture range of -22°F to +122°F (-30°C to +50°C) ... The SolarRoll is waterproof and can be submerged all the way up to the electrical connectors and not be damaged."

I don't know how to hook that up to charge your batteries.

EDIT: I haven't tried these. Note: Estimated charging time for a video camera is 4-7hs for the biggest one, you should get extra batteries as well.

BR, Erik

February 13th, 2011, 01:56 PM	#1
Michael LaFortune New Boot Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bonaire N.A. Posts: 8	Solar Battery Charger I'm looking for a solar battery charger that can handle Canon and Sony batteries. The system must be durable enough to stand high humidity and heat typical of tropical climates. Anyone have any experiences or suggestions on a system? Tried B&H and their response was there are no solar chargers on the market for those cameras. __________________ Michael LaFortune ArcturusProductions.com

February 13th, 2011, 04:58 PM	#2
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	There was a thread on another forum about some guy adapting a solar charger rig for his DV cam batteries for a canoe trip. Try Googling camping and outdoor sites. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

February 14th, 2011, 05:55 AM	#3
Michael LaFortune New Boot Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bonaire N.A. Posts: 8	Solar Battery Chargers Will give that a try. Thanks Allan. __________________ Michael LaFortune ArcturusProductions.com

February 14th, 2011, 10:17 AM	#4
Wayne Reimer Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Canada Posts: 255	Michael, You may want to have a look at Horizon Fuel Cell technologies. I purchased a minipak ( around $100) for a trip in Central America last fall and it worked extremely well. It's about the size of a point and shoot camera, and is effectively a very small hydrogen fueled generator. You screw in a small unpressurized hydrogen container, and it pumps out electricity...The containers are safe for travel, can be refilled, and each one gave enough power to recharge a set of 4 AA batteries about a dozen times. I wouldn't rely on it as a sole power source, but for complete off the grid recharging, it's a pretty slick little device

February 14th, 2011, 12:01 PM	#5
Erik Norgaard Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 238	I think this might be what you're looking for, Brunton SolarRoll: Brunton SolarRolls™ Seems to meet your requirements: "The SolarRoll is designed to operate in a temperture range of -22°F to +122°F (-30°C to +50°C) ... The SolarRoll is waterproof and can be submerged all the way up to the electrical connectors and not be damaged." I don't know how to hook that up to charge your batteries. EDIT: I haven't tried these. Note: Estimated charging time for a video camera is 4-7hs for the biggest one, you should get extra batteries as well. BR, Erik