Re: A Solar backpack for hikers?

From: Bill Cotton (Billcotton_at_comcast.net)
Date: 10/28/04 

Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 20:59:17 -0400

"Gymmy Bob" <nospamming@bite.me> wrote in message
news:IpmdndUuvYMmgh3cRVn-rA@golden.net...
> No!
>
> This unit is used for a 12V car substitute and therefore is based on about
> 14VDC output. At 2.5W , which is based on full sunshine, standing at the
> correct angle and not moving in full sun this would net about 175mA.
On this page http://www.billcotton.com/tripmate.htm is this type of solar
charger. My Garmin II+ gps will switch between internal and external power.
With the solar charger wired direct to the GII+ and mounted on my touring
bicycle rear rack, whenever I had the sun at my back, the GII+ would show
external power, it would switch back to internal power when the solar
charger didn't get sun. The GII+ use four AA cells. I did get longer runtime
since the akline would have a rest period. I consider two solar charger, one
on the front rack and one on the rear. However, when I upgraded to the eMap
gps, I gave up on the idea. The eMap uses only two AA cells and I began to
use NIMH 2200 mAh and get a full day of riding in warn weather. Also, when
its external power is lost, the eMap began a countdown to turn off.
The GII+ accepted 10 to 32 volts. The eMap only accept 3.15 volts. When the
eMap is fed from the solar charger, a power consuming adapter has to be
used. 

-- 
www.billcotton.com
N40° 3.744' W75° 6.180'