Solar powered reader?

donovanh · 07-23-2007, 11:43 AM

I was sitting in the sun reading the other day, and was wondering if it would be possibly to rig up a mini solar cell to the power input on the reader. Did you ever use a solar powered calculator with the little panel at the top? I pictured a similar sized solar panel either affixed to the top of the reader, or maybe folding out from under the cover so that it was out of the way when not in use.

Perhaps something like this:

http://store.sundancesolar.com/minsolpan3v2.html

Personally I don't have access to a soldering iron to give it a go. But perhaps if someone with more technical knowledge would care to comment on whether something like that would work?

JSWolf · 07-23-2007, 12:28 PM

Nice idea, but the Sony takes 5v so that cell would be too underpowered. Sorry.

RSaunders · 07-23-2007, 12:41 PM

You'd probably want something more like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Logic-PSP-Sola.../dp/B0009F1EEC

It's a solar panel+battery that pretends to be a PSP charger.

NB: I haven't actually tried this, but my nephew has a similar gizmo that he uses to power his Nintendo-DS.

anotherchance · 07-23-2007, 12:48 PM

How about a Solio ? I've heard good things about these, but unless you can acquire an appropriate "tip" to charge the Reader (as if from a wall outlet), then even this wouldn't be much good. It's just a shame the Reader won't charge from any powered USB, because otherwise this would be perfect.

donovanh · 07-23-2007, 12:53 PM

That's a pity about the power use.

Perhaps one of these on the inside of the cover...

http://store.sundancesolar.com/po6v10flsopa.html

Edit: Wrong url :P

Fain · 07-23-2007, 01:07 PM

This would be a great addition to the Sony Reader if anyone actually finds one that works with it.

I'd think that the Solio would work with the psp tip, but then again I wasn't aware about the Reader not charging off of any mini-usb connection.

Wasn't it confirmed that the Reader would charge off of a PSP charger?
How does the Reader tell what kind of power it is being fed and if it should "accept" it?

anotherchance · 07-23-2007, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fain

I'd think that the Solio would work with the psp tip, but then again I wasn't aware about the Reader not charging off of any mini-usb connection.

Ah!! I didn't know about the PSP charger. Maybe that could work. Although I don't have a Reader, a PSP or a Solio, so this is all speculative at this point.

So would this Solio tip be any good I wonder?

My understanding (from reading these forums) was that the Reader couldn't be charged via USB unless it was from a PC that had the Connect software installed. Did I get that right?

Without devices on hand, and someone brave enough to try it we'll never know...

Fain · 07-23-2007, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anotherchance

Ah!! I didn't know about the PSP charger. Maybe that could work. Although I don't have a Reader, a PSP or a Solio, so this is all speculative at this point.

My understanding (from reading these forums) was that the Reader couldn't be charged via USB unless it was from a PC that had the Connect software installed. Did I get that right?

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...&highlight=psp

There it is. I knew I had read something about the PSP charger working on the Reader somewhere here.

So I would think the Solio should work. I read over the specs, sounds like it should do the trick just fine.

Great find anoutherchance.

I went ahead and ordered a Solio, I travel very heavily, and while I rarely need to charge the Reader, the option of being able to do it without being tired to a powerplug is appealing to me (paper books themselves have this perk over the Reader, but looks like the Solio may take that advantage away from them

)

I'll let everyone know if it works with the Reader or not.

anotherchance · 07-23-2007, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fain

Great find anotherchance.

I went ahead and ordered a Solio, I travel very heavily, and while I rarely need to charge the Reader, the option of being able to do it without being tired to a powerplug is appealing to me (paper books themselves have this perk over the Reader, but looks like the Solio may take that advantage away from them

)

I'll let everyone know if it works with the Reader or not.

Well done Fain for taking the plunge on that. If nothing else, you should be able to charge your phone and your ipod(?) and things with it, so I look forward to hearing how you get on. I assume you ordered the PSP tip with it?

Here's the full list of Solio connector "tips" for those who haven't clicked through that far.

Fain · 07-31-2007, 12:49 PM

Received my Solio, and it works fine

At least the Reader says it does. I'll only charge it from the Solio (I use SD card and my laptops card reader to transfer new books) for awhile to confirm that it is indeed getting charged.

anotherchance · 07-31-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fain

Received my Solio, and it works fine

At least the Reader says it does. I'll only charge it from the Solio (I use SD card and my laptops card reader to transfer new books) for awhile to confirm that it is indeed getting charged.

Great news. Fingers crossed for lots of sunny days....

HarryT · 08-01-2007, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fain

How does the Reader tell what kind of power it is being fed and if it should "accept" it?

According to the connector that the power is coming in through.

Anything will work that provides power through the 5.2v wall charger connector, but it will only charge via USB if some type of device driver is present, rather than a "dumb" USB power supply.

anotherchance · 10-04-2007, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Anything will work that provides power through the 5.2v wall charger connector, but it will only charge via USB if some type of device driver is present, rather than a "dumb" USB power supply.

Am I right in thinking that this limitation will go away with the 505?

mogui · 10-04-2007, 10:22 AM

Yes, the 505 will charge on a normal USB connection on any computer whether the Sony app is running or not. It also acts like an external hard drive.

BTW, I bought a smartphone the other day that had what looked like an extra battery. Turns out it is a solar cell and they supplied a windowed battery cover to go with it. I guess you have to hold it in the sun to use it. I haven't tried it yet.

delphidb96 · 10-04-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mogui

Yes, the 505 will charge on a normal USB connection on any computer whether the Sony app is running or not. It also acts like an external hard drive.

BTW, I bought a smartphone the other day that had what looked like an extra battery. Turns out it is a solar cell and they supplied a windowed battery cover to go with it. I guess you have to hold it in the sun to use it. I haven't tried it yet.

This has been an interesting thread. The Solio also comes bundled with a standard mini-USB tip and that's exactly what my Cybook Gen3 requires! So, with the PSP tip and the standard Solio 1000 I can charge both of my readers via solar!

Derek

07-23-2007, 11:43 AM	#1
donovanh Enthusiast Posts: 39 Karma: 40 Join Date: Feb 2007	Solar powered reader? I was sitting in the sun reading the other day, and was wondering if it would be possibly to rig up a mini solar cell to the power input on the reader. Did you ever use a solar powered calculator with the little panel at the top? I pictured a similar sized solar panel either affixed to the top of the reader, or maybe folding out from under the cover so that it was out of the way when not in use. Perhaps something like this: http://store.sundancesolar.com/minsolpan3v2.html Personally I don't have access to a soldering iron to give it a go. But perhaps if someone with more technical knowledge would care to comment on whether something like that would work?

07-23-2007, 12:48 PM	#4
anotherchance Zealot Posts: 115 Karma: 666 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Philadelphia, PA Device: PRS-505	How about a Solio ? I've heard good things about these, but unless you can acquire an appropriate "tip" to charge the Reader (as if from a wall outlet), then even this wouldn't be much good. It's just a shame the Reader won't charge from any powered USB, because otherwise this would be perfect. Last edited by anotherchance; 07-23-2007 at 01:00 PM.

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07-23-2007, 12:28 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,835 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Nice idea, but the Sony takes 5v so that cell would be too underpowered. Sorry.

07-23-2007, 12:41 PM	#3
RSaunders Groupie Posts: 162 Karma: 2054 Join Date: Jan 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500	You'd probably want something more like this: http://www.amazon.com/Logic-PSP-Sola.../dp/B0009F1EEC It's a solar panel+battery that pretends to be a PSP charger. NB: I haven't actually tried this, but my nephew has a similar gizmo that he uses to power his Nintendo-DS.

07-23-2007, 12:53 PM	#5
donovanh Enthusiast Posts: 39 Karma: 40 Join Date: Feb 2007	That's a pity about the power use. Perhaps one of these on the inside of the cover... http://store.sundancesolar.com/po6v10flsopa.html Edit: Wrong url :P

07-23-2007, 01:07 PM	#6
Fain Member Posts: 18 Karma: 18 Join Date: Jul 2007 Device: Sony PRS500	This would be a great addition to the Sony Reader if anyone actually finds one that works with it. I'd think that the Solio would work with the psp tip, but then again I wasn't aware about the Reader not charging off of any mini-usb connection. Wasn't it confirmed that the Reader would charge off of a PSP charger? How does the Reader tell what kind of power it is being fed and if it should "accept" it?

07-31-2007, 12:49 PM	#10
Fain Member Posts: 18 Karma: 18 Join Date: Jul 2007 Device: Sony PRS500	Received my Solio, and it works fine At least the Reader says it does. I'll only charge it from the Solio (I use SD card and my laptops card reader to transfer new books) for awhile to confirm that it is indeed getting charged.

10-04-2007, 10:22 AM	#14
mogui eNigma Posts: 503 Karma: 1335 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The Philippines Device: HTC G1 Android FBReader	Yes, the 505 will charge on a normal USB connection on any computer whether the Sony app is running or not. It also acts like an external hard drive. BTW, I bought a smartphone the other day that had what looked like an extra battery. Turns out it is a solar cell and they supplied a windowed battery cover to go with it. I guess you have to hold it in the sun to use it. I haven't tried it yet.

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