What could possibly go wrong when you're trying to test a USB solar panel? Lots of things. Cloud (of course), the UK's high latitude, wind blowing stuff around, OLEDs hard to see in bright light, camera refuses to focus, powerbanks behaving badly, variable quality USB cables. Is it worth the hassle?
Suaoki Panel links:
UK: http://amzn.to/1UC5avz
US: http://amzn.to/1Nd7Wa4
Suaoki Panel links:
UK: http://amzn.to/1UC5avz
US: http://amzn.to/1Nd7Wa4
The USB Output is 5v 2.1alp the same as a usb output from computer or (ac phone charge plug with ac or usb) which are the same, Not to be confused with the 16 watt that the panel produces from the sun converted to be stored to a 12v car/solar battery or solar panel storage battery bank.
All suaoki panels 16w-25 have a max output of just over 8W. You should try the choetech, its a 19W panel that has a peak output of over 9W while charging an iPad.
guess that answers the question whether you really need a high wattage porta panel. im going for the choetech. tnx.
can you do a review of the halfords 15w solar panel?
why you need those solar panels in country which is known for crappy weather? 😀 You have so much panel, you could charge your batteries for 5 years for 'free' 😀 And solar panels do not help environment.. the less people use electricity from mains -the cheaper it will be… so pollution will be the same-but just even more cheaper.
I think charging a smart phone on a day where the sun keeps going behind clouds, might be hard on the phone with all the start and stops. Better to charge a power bank. Cheaper to replace than a phone.
What about using the USB 1A/2A load? Maybe even use two of them, I spotted two usb ports on the panel. If you want to review them you need a artificial "Sun" in the form of a studio light or similar. Edit: Or move to Malta, that works too!
I see the hideous monstrosity is still in the garden… Brave man Ilett, brave man.
Remember that the laser isn't used for the temperature measurement. It is only meant to point in the center of the big spot that is being measured. To measure correct, go close to the object.
is it inefficient to just plug a solar panel directly in to a step down buck converter set to 5v ?
Had some first hand experience with the frustrations of clouds recently.
Went on a trip to the Rockies and the Anker 14W panel I brought worked brilliantly, back in Seattle however, it barely works.
In EBAY they have a Bluetooth module for your USB Voltage/Power meter that might make your data collection easier, look for "Bluetooth Module UART Serial Interface SPP-CA"
I thoroughly enjoyed this, but maybe not for all typical reasons. Just Julian, good with that, technical with at home delivery. But his video has an edge the others usually don't have, maybe due to lack of editing. The difficulties and frustrations easily come through, enjoyable in a "watching others' pain" sort of way. Nice to see, but maybe distract yourself, take the wife out, be happy.
As for testing, as other have said, reduce the number of variables involved at one time, even fabricate some to be consistent.
Hi
I like your take on solar equipment, keep it up makes an interesting update. but on another note as our summer fades here in the UK have you ever though of small wind generators to keep your batteries topped up over the winter, it would be interesting to see the difference in output from the vertical turbine types against the normal propeller design.