Solargorilla Laptop Charger
Solargorilla Laptop Charger
Find out about the Solargorilla - a rugged solar powered laptop charger
shopping | solar | electronicsA very common request we receive at REUK is for information on how to safely charge a
laptop computer with a
PV solar panel. While it is perfectly possible to put a suitable system together yourself assembled from available components, most people would prefer to purchase a guaranteed dedicated commercial
solar powered laptop charger. Unfortunately these have always tended to be
extremely expensive.
Pictured above is the
Solargorilla Laptop Charger from UK-based
Powertraveller. This device though still expensive is much cheaper than its competitor products at
just £139.99.
Solargorilla is basically speaking a scaled-up version of the very popular
PowerMonkey Explorer, but without its own battery storage. Instead it will
trickle charge the lithium-ion battery in the laptop when it is sunny.
Solargorilla is a foldable
24 Volt photovoltaic solar panel with a water resistant rubberised casing. An LED indicator displays the strength of the charge - i.e. the UV intensity of the sunshine hitting it.
Solargorilla is fitted with
two power output
sockets (one 20V 500mA for laptops and one 5V 500mA for mobile phones and small media devices), and so can be used to charge a laptop and a mobile phone at the
same time.
A total of
17 adapters are supplied to connect Powergorilla to a range of mobile phones, laptop (notebook) computers, and the Sony PSP. Mini- and micro-USB connectors are also provided. The Powergorilla and its connectors can all be stored in the supplied hard wearing neoprene case.
Click here to view the official
Solargorilla specification sheet.
Limitations of Solargorilla
Even in the sunniest conditions, it is
unlikely that this device will be able to power a laptop
directly (i.e. the amount of power generated will be less than the power required by the laptop), but will greatly extend the time the laptop will run on one full battery charge, or boost the battery charge when the laptop is switched off.
The
Powergorilla (pictured above) is a battery pack which can be charged by
Solargorilla and then used to charge the laptop battery quickly at a convenient time - e.g. at night. Unfortunately the Powergorilla costs a further £150 making a Solargorilla-Powergorilla system a very expensive proposition.
Buy Solargorilla Now
Solargorilla is available for £139.99 from
Ethical Superstore. Click here for more information and to
buy Solargorilla now.
Article Last Modified: 12:55, 25th Sep 2008
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