Win a Waterproof Solar USB Charger! Reply here to enter.
 

http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1431615618

Forum user BenNelson is working with a friend of his on a Kickstarter campaign for waterproof solar USB charger. This is a high output (8-16W) very rugged solar USB charger made for all environments. Check out the video on their page, they torture this thing and it still works. He has generously offered a free solar charger to one of you guys in return for a little publicity here on the website. We figured you guys wouldn't mind that at all! :)

So, if you're interested in one of these solar chargers, please post below. In two weeks, we'll randomly select one of your names and you'll get your solar charger.

Also, don't forget to check out the kickstarter page. They got a lot of other goodies that come with the panels too.
The Badger: Waterproof USB Solar Charger

http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1431616595

http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1431616646

I could use one of those!

Need it, need it, got to have one.

Any estimate on the price when these are available for sale?

They have way more backers than they were aiming for - that's good to see!

I could totally use one for backpacking!

I like it! That looks much more portable than my current rig which wouldn't stand up to their torture tests, especially the bowling ball, shotgun, or car.

Perfect addition to the portable Bluetooth speaker system I'm building! (Wavin' my hand)

Thanks for your support everyone!

What really helps us is if you can help spread the word! Tweet, Post, Like all you can. If you can share this on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, or whatever part of the inter-webs you happen to be on, we would really appreciate it.

We are real people, not some giant corporation. We have no advertising budget, but think this really is a great product. We try to make good things happen in the world, and try to eek by a living as best we can.

Profits go towards getting us to educational conferences, designing kits to get kids into alternative energy, and keep on making and sharing.

Theoretically, the more Kickstarter backers we get, the better price we can offer of the finished product after manufacturing. (At this point, we expect final prices to be about what the Kickstarter Non-Early-Bird prices are, but more initial orders could help get us a price break on manufacturing runs.)

Josh is the one who has really been the electronics designer on this one, and I've been in the use and functionality, and testing. I can tell you, from personal use, it IS great for camping, backpacking, canoeing, and ice-fishing. Also, it's the best thing ever for charging GoPro cameras when you are off the grid.

Please help support our project by sharing the link to the kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...-solar-charger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofur3AjkLkw

Also, it's bowling-ball proof. Did I mention it's bowling ball proof?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj1lbXrY70c

Pledge if you can. Even if you can't please help share!

Thanks in advance, and good luck to the contest winner!
-Ben

count me in!

Looks great!

Im in looks great.

I could use one but I never win.
But that is ok I know I am not lucky.

Wow! This is really neat.

Will it charge the 12V in my car?
 

My Insight came with a tiny solar panel (unfortunately) fixed to the hood of the car that the previous owner installed as ghetto-ily as possible. I assume it's to top off the 12V battery, but I'm not even sure it's functioning.
Would it be feasible to bungee one of your panels to the top of my car during the day at work, where it sits in the hot Florida sun every day, and then roll it up and throw it in the trunk every night? What kind of connections would I need to make that happen if it's possible?

Yes, but you'd need a dc-dc converter. These panels are made to charge USB devices, and USB runs on 5V. So, the real answer is not real well.

Got it, thanks man!

The more solar the better. The sun shines on all of us.

A similar unit is already being made in China. Dual voltage too! :thumbup:

Aliexpress.com : Buy 14W 18V Dual Output Waterproof Outdoor Foldable Folding Solar Panel Charger External 12V + 5V USB output from Reliable charger for 18650 battery suppliers on Ningbo Star Solar Co.,Ltd | Alibaba Group

Neat concept. Hope it gets legs.

Sign me up :) Good deal!

Not sure it'd be as tough and it's mainly water resistant whereas this one looks pretty much waterproof...and bowling ball proof.

I met up with Ben the other day at an alternative energy car show in our area. We talked a bit about the solar panel, it is not your run of the mill panel. It has some additional nice features in addition to the ruggedness that make it pretty nice. For instance, it has an automatic restart. So, if a cloud goes in front of the sun and the voltage drops and say your phone stops charging. The automatic restart will automatically start charging your phone when you get enough voltage again. A regular solar panel will not restart charging.

Cool product that looks well thought-out. Good Luck!

Tim

Ooo, can I win?

I probably can't, eh? I didn't see any small print!

The winner is... *drum roll*












































jeff5may! Congrats! :thumbup:

Yay! It is people like Ben and Josh that drive this eco culture. Without them, the people like us could not point at actual products that were designed by a tangible, specific person or team of actual individual people to touch or speak to in person. This "builder" type of individual is dying slowly in society, as the industrial age makes way for the information age. I pledge to mercilessly promote this product to all I know . Just give me some cards and literature to spread the awareness.

Congrats! That's a sweet gizmo.. ;) Enjoy it, I would..

I can build you a nice 5 volt portable stereo amp/speaker to go with that. Bluetooth and all..

Here's an example..

https://imageshack.com/a/IZw4/1

Jeff Congrats! on getting the cool solar product.

Its temporary solar recharge via USB but there were interrupted will come when charging some device so far would install solar panels in your home might be better utilized.

Most of these were designed for the 5 volt Amp/Bluetooth units that I build except for the Whammer-Jammer with all of the LiPo's and the Lepai. It operates at 12 volts and the Bluetooth unit operates from a separate 5 volt bank battery. All totally portable and will operate for many hours on battery. Connect via Bluetooth and yer jammin'..

Took the Whammer-Jammer to the drive-in. Everyone around me turned their junk off.. LOL..

Here's some pics on ImageShack. Note that I moved the same Amp/Battery/Bluetooth around to most of the other speakers..

https://imageshack.com/a/7J94

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/280...537/XF2Qov.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/280...909/l2fzqy.jpg