help, which solar charger?
 

Hi guys,

i'm off to Nordkapp in a couple of months. i'm taking a two cameras both of which charge via mains chargers and have propriety batteries in them.

is there a solar powered charger that will output mains voltage with a UK mains socket that i can plug the camera chargers into?

i've seen lots that have a USB output but not many with a mains output?

thanks for your help guys

sort of
 

While your cameras come with mains adapters they charge using direct current rather than alternating current. Technically this lends itself to solar pannels rather well. Having large and cumbersome pannels aligned with the sun is not so useful, effectiveness varies with the amount of cloud cover and takes a very long time even using modestly sized pannels.

You don't say if you're taking a vehicle but if I were you I would find a 12v adapter and use that instead. Robust, proven and convenient. If you still need solar then you can buy solar pannels, probably quite sizable in order to be fast enough, and a power inverter to give you your AC mains output.

As an example, a 60w panel I found on the internet has these specs.
Dimensions fully assembled:142(w) x 77(l) x 79(d) cm Net weight:28.4kg

A laptop needs say, 100-150w. Charging cameras requires much less.

Get a 12v charger like this...

Hahnel PowerStation Ultima Digital Camera Battery Charger - www.cameraworld.co.uk

I do have a solar panel, it's made by Silva and has a 12v output socket.

Silva Solar Ii-12vÂ*charger

I've successfully charged my phone and iPod from it as well as AA/AAA batteries. The limiting thing with a solar panel, unsuprisingly, is the sun. Northern European summer sun is ok but it'll take hours to charge your batteries. Last year I used it in Arizona and California. With their sunshine it was perfect. It charged straight away and at full power from the off.

I know this isn't a 12v thread but...
 

This is even cheaper and you can buy the different adapter plates for peanuts. I got one for an overland trip through Africa and it has never missed a beat!

7dayshop.com - Online Store

thanks for your help guys, i think i'll investigate the bike powered universal systems