Solar panels and laptops
 

Hi all, Jason here, myself and two friends are embarking on a london to Cape Town trip for charity and need to be able to update our website and therefore charge a laptop and camera, I was wondering if anyone has advise on type of laptop, how to charge them and can you get a small soler panel capable of doing the job while still fitting on top of a pannier. I have an Africa Twin- would it provide enough juice to keep my batteries charged.
I dont know much about these things so alladvise welcome and appreciated. Cheers

Just buy a car adapter and install a socket on your bike. Less breakable and probably cheaper than a solar panel.

------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

A small solar panel that would fit in a pannier would be capable of only charging a mobile phone and it will take a while to do so. I would also recommend the car adapter and get the smallest least power hungry laptop you could find.

------------------
A.B.

OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
ShortWheelbase.com – Jeep preparations.
Coordinates Converter – Lat/Long <-> UTM Conversion Tool.

I've been through the same exercise you have .. I decided to buy a Targus gimmick:
http://tinyurl.com/6prk7 which allows all sorts of power to be converted for your laptop¡¦s use. As far as the camera goes, get one that uses AA batteries and use rechargeable batteries. This one http://tinyurl.com/3jwi allows you to use 12V to run the charger. I have both these items and they¡¦ve stood up well under all sorts of abuse. I have a Fujitsu P5020 laptop, also withstands said abuse ¡K ƒº

Thanks very much for your quick responses, I'll look into them. Cant wait only 8 weeks to go.

I've seen these car adapters for half the price and more voltage options online.

------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

yes,
Mine was 25$ and it´s as good.
http://www.trust.com/products/product.aspx?artnr=14129
You´ll get the best car 12V socket from touratech, they´re a bit expensive but worth the money.
Matt



[This message has been edited by Matt595 (edited 08 February 2005).]

ICP Solar make some flexible solar panels.
http://www.icpsolar.com/ssfamille.php3?id_rubrique=11
I have the 10 watt setup and it will charge my laptop, iPod, cell phone or AA battery charger. I can hook it up to the bikes battery to charge it as well if needed. Rolls up into a small package taking up very little space.