Solar powered reader? - Page 2

aru · 10-24-2007, 03:32 PM

I just ordered one of the flexible solar panels described in the beginning of the tread to attach to the cover of my reader. It would just be great if I would not have to worry about batteries at all when I am on a trip. Something like "eternal" battery life. I'll post some pictures about the result later.

yvanleterrible · 10-24-2007, 04:16 PM

When the included battery has become worthless, because it won't charge anymore, you will all brobably be on you third or fourth generation reader. And all those worries we've had about durability will just be souvenirs.

aru · 10-25-2007, 06:34 PM

For whatever it's worth, I measured the voltage needed to charge the reader. The 500 requires 4.25V to begin charging, the 505 only 4.06V, at least this is the Voltage needed for the LED to come on. This means that it charges the battery way under the 5.2V and should make a solar cell viable.

aru · 10-27-2007, 10:14 AM

Here is a prototype of the solar panel implementation. In principle the system works, but...
I used the flexible panel from Sundance Solar, the B-plug from Radio Shack and a diode I had. At about 9 1/3 eV illumination the red charging light comes on. So I left it under a flourescent light over night with an illumination of 11 eV (which corresponds to f4 1/125" at ASA100). This corresponds to an overcast day outside. The Reader started out with 2 out of 4 dots for the battery, however in the morning, after 13 hours of illumination it was still at 2 dots.
A few things I learned:
First, with the efficiency of this module it only works outside in the sun. So no charging inside, not even enough on an overcast day in the northern latitudes outside.
Second, you would have to deposit your reader all day outside.
Third, it does take a lot away from the beauty of the reader.
Fourth, if one could integrate one panel in the front AND one in the backside of the cover AND use the hinges to make electrical contact to the reader it could be a nice system.
For now I am not pursuing this, the panels are too expensive to buy another one and I am not ready to modify the hinge mechanism, as it might void the warranty...

yvanleterrible · 10-27-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aru

The Reader started out with 2 out of 4 dots for the battery, however in the morning, after 13 hours of illumination it was still at 2 dots.
A few things I learned:
First, with the efficiency of this module it only works outside in the sun. So no charging inside, not even enough on an overcast day in the northern latitudes outside.

That reminds me that with the 500, if you don't have the latest firware, you can't trust the power display bars. Try this: leave the reader on before charging.

This is interesting, I'm looking forward to see the result.

Electronics is not easy for me, if you could show us an easy way to build this I would appreciate it, I'm kind of a solar nut.

aru · 10-28-2007, 10:19 AM

I charged the reader last night on a usb cord

so it was fully charged this morning. Right now the unit is outside playing music and is attached to the solar panel, its overcast and it is charging at 11-12mA. Should get sunny later on and then I can see what full sunshine will do. I'll report about that later. Maybe I just let it run down on music until completely empty and see how long it takes to be fully recharged.
I wonder whether there are higher efficiency solar panels out there.

As far as the assembly is concerned, it is really simple you just have to make three solder connections. You buy the B-plug from Radio Shack, the mating cord which has two ends and solder one end to the left side of the solar panel then solder a diode to the right side of the solar panel and the other end to the second wire of the power cord. The picture on the right showe all connections to be made. The only trick is to get all polarities lined up. When the tests are finsihed and you are still intersted I'd be glad to make you a plan. The total cost was $33.50 (incl SH) for the panel and $9 for the plug assy.

yvanleterrible · 10-28-2007, 11:54 AM

Could you put a second identical panel to the back of the jacket? All you'd need to do is lay the jacket open for charging. Or you could add an array of the same panels hinged together with at least one facing top.

Instead of a plan, could you take pictures of all steps required for assembly. I can't read E-plans.

aru · 10-28-2007, 05:57 PM

I left the reader on this morning, playing music at full volume, while connected to the solar charger. It was collecting about 12-20mA from the charger, nevertheless the battery display went from 4 to 2. So I turned the reader off (including pause of the music player) and left it connected to the charger. Later when the sun showed itself the current went up to 60mA, however after several hours the battery indicator did not move.

Well, it looks like either you use the solar panel in full sun-light (maybe that's why it is called solar-panel and not light-panel) or you need a much bigger surface.

At this point I am not going to beat the horse any longer and will just carry a usb cable with me when the battery starts getting low.

aru · 10-28-2007, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

Could you put a second identical panel to the back of the jacket? All you'd need to do is lay the jacket open for charging. Or you could add an array of the same panels hinged together with at least one facing top.

In principle you could do that, however it would make the whole contraption rather bulky - and expensive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

Instead of a plan, could you take pictures of all steps required for assembly. I can't read E-plans.

If you like I can send you mine at material cost (i.e. $40), if you are in the US I ship for free. If you live in a very sunny spot and and are willing to leave the reader mostly outside and read only at night and don't use the music player it might work. Just send me an e-mail with your address.

yvanleterrible · 10-29-2007, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aru

In principle you could do that, however it would make the whole contraption rather bulky - and expensive.

If you like I can send you mine at material cost (i.e. $40), if you are in the US I ship for free. If you live in a very sunny spot and and are willing to leave the reader mostly outside and read only at night and don't use the music player it might work. Just send me an e-mail with your address.

I think I'll pass.

But does it charge if music is off?

Barcey · 10-29-2007, 11:41 PM

You'll probably need solar panels with a higher wattage output. Something like this. --> http://www.backup-power.ca/catalog/i...32/3676677.htm
I haven't tried them but I was thinking of trying the backpack for hiking.
http://www.backup-power.ca/backpacks.html

aru · 10-30-2007, 10:35 AM

I am glad that is being delivered with the girl to carry the thing, because it looks bulky and heavy. :-)

10-27-2007, 10:14 AM	#19
aru Likes to read on e-ink Posts: 68 Karma: 50 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Jersey Device: Kindle DX	Solar Powered Reader - a working prototype Here is a prototype of the solar panel implementation. In principle the system works, but... I used the flexible panel from Sundance Solar, the B-plug from Radio Shack and a diode I had. At about 9 1/3 eV illumination the red charging light comes on. So I left it under a flourescent light over night with an illumination of 11 eV (which corresponds to f4 1/125" at ASA100). This corresponds to an overcast day outside. The Reader started out with 2 out of 4 dots for the battery, however in the morning, after 13 hours of illumination it was still at 2 dots. A few things I learned: First, with the efficiency of this module it only works outside in the sun. So no charging inside, not even enough on an overcast day in the northern latitudes outside. Second, you would have to deposit your reader all day outside. Third, it does take a lot away from the beauty of the reader. Fourth, if one could integrate one panel in the front AND one in the backside of the cover AND use the hinges to make electrical contact to the reader it could be a nice system. For now I am not pursuing this, the panels are too expensive to buy another one and I am not ready to modify the hinge mechanism, as it might void the warranty... Attached Thumbnails

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10-24-2007, 03:32 PM	#16
aru Likes to read on e-ink Posts: 68 Karma: 50 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Jersey Device: Kindle DX	I just ordered one of the flexible solar panels described in the beginning of the tread to attach to the cover of my reader. It would just be great if I would not have to worry about batteries at all when I am on a trip. Something like "eternal" battery life. I'll post some pictures about the result later.

10-24-2007, 04:16 PM	#17
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	When the included battery has become worthless, because it won't charge anymore, you will all brobably be on you third or fourth generation reader. And all those worries we've had about durability will just be souvenirs.

10-25-2007, 06:34 PM	#18
aru Likes to read on e-ink Posts: 68 Karma: 50 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Jersey Device: Kindle DX	For whatever it's worth, I measured the voltage needed to charge the reader. The 500 requires 4.25V to begin charging, the 505 only 4.06V, at least this is the Voltage needed for the LED to come on. This means that it charges the battery way under the 5.2V and should make a solar cell viable.

10-28-2007, 10:19 AM	#21
aru Likes to read on e-ink Posts: 68 Karma: 50 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Jersey Device: Kindle DX	I charged the reader last night on a usb cord so it was fully charged this morning. Right now the unit is outside playing music and is attached to the solar panel, its overcast and it is charging at 11-12mA. Should get sunny later on and then I can see what full sunshine will do. I'll report about that later. Maybe I just let it run down on music until completely empty and see how long it takes to be fully recharged. I wonder whether there are higher efficiency solar panels out there. As far as the assembly is concerned, it is really simple you just have to make three solder connections. You buy the B-plug from Radio Shack, the mating cord which has two ends and solder one end to the left side of the solar panel then solder a diode to the right side of the solar panel and the other end to the second wire of the power cord. The picture on the right showe all connections to be made. The only trick is to get all polarities lined up. When the tests are finsihed and you are still intersted I'd be glad to make you a plan. The total cost was $33.50 (incl SH) for the panel and $9 for the plug assy.

10-28-2007, 11:54 AM	#22
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Could you put a second identical panel to the back of the jacket? All you'd need to do is lay the jacket open for charging. Or you could add an array of the same panels hinged together with at least one facing top. Instead of a plan, could you take pictures of all steps required for assembly. I can't read E-plans.

10-28-2007, 05:57 PM	#23
aru Likes to read on e-ink Posts: 68 Karma: 50 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Jersey Device: Kindle DX	I left the reader on this morning, playing music at full volume, while connected to the solar charger. It was collecting about 12-20mA from the charger, nevertheless the battery display went from 4 to 2. So I turned the reader off (including pause of the music player) and left it connected to the charger. Later when the sun showed itself the current went up to 60mA, however after several hours the battery indicator did not move. Well, it looks like either you use the solar panel in full sun-light (maybe that's why it is called solar-panel and not light-panel) or you need a much bigger surface. At this point I am not going to beat the horse any longer and will just carry a usb cable with me when the battery starts getting low.

10-29-2007, 11:41 PM	#26
Barcey Wizard Posts: 1,531 Karma: 8059866 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Device: Kobo H2O / Aura HD / Glo / iPad3	You'll probably need solar panels with a higher wattage output. Something like this. --> http://www.backup-power.ca/catalog/i...32/3676677.htm I haven't tried them but I was thinking of trying the backpack for hiking. http://www.backup-power.ca/backpacks.html

10-30-2007, 10:35 AM	#27
aru Likes to read on e-ink Posts: 68 Karma: 50 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Jersey Device: Kindle DX	I am glad that is being delivered with the girl to carry the thing, because it looks bulky and heavy. :-)

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