Applications Notes - Solar Binders (IP15B and IP22B)

This note is being provided as a guide to those customers who have often found themselves with dead batteries in a portable device and nowhere near a wall plug to recharge things like cell phones, iPods, PDAs, and even laptop PCs.  The solutions to this problem are varied (i.e. auxiliary power packs using AA primary alkaline batteries) but this approach is costly and not environmentally friendly unless the AA’s are properly recycled.

Our focus is on a combination of solutions that introduce renewable energy to those who have been thinking about taking some small steps towards powering devices using the power of the sun.  Why the sun?  Think of this amazing fact…In only one minute the amount of sun light that hits the earth contains more power than the inhabitants of earth have used through its entire history.  Time to tap into that awesome power and the two solar binders (IP15B and IP22B) are great ways to let that sun power start working for you.

The best way to break down this portable solar power solution is to think of the Power Source (Sun); the Power Storage (Battery) and the Power Distribution (Adapters/Connectors).

Power Source – When it comes to tapping into the power of the sun two of the most popular and efficient ways to do this is by using a convenient zippered binder that includes solar panels on the inside and a 12V DC outlet at the end of a 10’ cord.  Either the 15 Watt or the more powerful 22 Watt solar binders are lightweight, easy to store and/or carry.  You can instantly begin to tap into the power of the sun simply by unzipping the binder, opening the unit, laying it on a flat surface in full sunlight and then you’re ready to plug in the same car adapter cord that would power your device from the DC (cig plug) outlet in your car.  In the case of a cell phone, with a totally depleted battery, once the device is plugged into the solar binder, in full sun, the phone can be activated and used since it requires such little power to operate.  The 15 Watt solar binder can recharge a totally dead cell phone battery in about two hours.

Power Storage – Since the sun only shines for a portion of each day, there are also various options available in terms of capturing that sun power and storing it for use when the sun is not shining.  One very convenient approach that we make available here at Innergy Power is through a rechargeable 12V, 5Ah (Power Plant) battery that can be recharged using either the 15 Watt or the 22 Watt solar binders.  When charged, the Power Plant battery can be used in the same manner as the solar binders in that it comes with a detachable 12V cig plug that allows the car charging adapter cords for cell phones, PDAs, iPods, etc to be plugged in and powered and/or recharged from the Power Plant battery.  This battery also comes with a wall charger and a car charging cord so there are three ways to recharge it…from the sun, the wall outlet or the car.

Power Distribution - First we had the power source, then the option of power storage and now we need to deal with how best to distribute that power.  Depending upon the devices you want to power, you’ll find that manufacturers generally provide auto adapter (car charging cords) that will allow you to tap directly into the solar binders when the sun is shining or into the Power Plant auxiliary battery at any time you need extra power and/or you need to recharge the battery in your portable devices.  These adapter cords allow you to plug into any 12VDC power system that offers DC sockets like the one in your car.  Using these DC outlets is a more efficient use of the available power versus the AC inverters that are available.  These convert the DC power to AC power allowing you to plug in the wall plug for recharging your device.  However, the efficiency of this power conversion is not good so you’re better off trying to use the DC (cig plug) approach if possible.

There are also two-way and three-way DC socket accessories that allow you to plug in more than one device at a time.  For example, with the 22 Watt solar binder, you could plug in a two-way DC socket and recharge two cell phones at the same time or one cell phone and an iPod.

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