Solar Powered Laptop

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HiggsPrime

HiggsPrime

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Apr 19, 2014
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Hello Readers,

I am going out to camp at lake district for 2 weeks. Now during these days I am hoping to work on my blog, check email and reply, watch Netflix and twitch and make skype call. Spending 5-7hrs a day on the ultrabook. I have been surfing the web for a solar powered laptop but so far not successful. I am looking for an effective solar kit to run my ultrabook just like plugging into a power socket. So far I am thinking to get Poweradd 6800mAH [Ultrabook: 19V, 3.6A, 65W]for £70 but is this going to maintain my laptop as I am hoping to?

If not then how about I buy 12v car battery and its a solar charger and then use an inverter that converts 12v DC to 300W 240AC so that I simply plug it in the laptop, will this work?

But if you guys have any idea for a mobile laptop power let me know.
 
Solution
Eximo
RV generator?

Average 60 Amp/hr car battery can conceivable deliver about 700W, so roughly 10 hours, however, any DC to AC inverter is only going to be so efficient, so you can assume somewhere between 70 and 80% of that. Which would work okay.

Recharging it will require at least a 12V (13.8V-15V) 6amp source (.1C rate for a 60 Amp/Hr battery), or have a 12V BAT+ charging circuit to step up a low voltage.

http://www.amazon.com/Renogy-100W-Mono-Starter-Kit/dp/B00BFCNFRM/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1436384730&sr=1-1&keywords=solar+panel

http://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-Monocrystalline-Photovoltaic-Battery-Charging/dp/B00V4844F4/ref=sr_1_11?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1436384730&sr=1-11&keywords=solar+panel

and an inverter...
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Eximo

Eximo

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May 27, 2010
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RV generator?

Average 60 Amp/hr car battery can conceivable deliver about 700W, so roughly 10 hours, however, any DC to AC inverter is only going to be so efficient, so you can assume somewhere between 70 and 80% of that. Which would work okay.

Recharging it will require at least a 12V (13.8V-15V) 6amp source (.1C rate for a 60 Amp/Hr battery), or have a 12V BAT+ charging circuit to step up a low voltage.

http://www.amazon.com/Renogy-100W-Mono-Starter-Kit/dp/B00BFCNFRM/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1436384730&sr=1-1&keywords=solar+panel

http://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-Monocrystalline-Photovoltaic-Battery-Charging/dp/B00V4844F4/ref=sr_1_11?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1436384730&sr=1-11&keywords=solar+panel

and an inverter:

http://www.amazon.com/BESTEK%C2%AE-Inverter-Adapter-Charger-Notebook/dp/B0040U3MI8/ref=sr_1_17?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1436384840&sr=1-17&keywords=12v+dc+to+ac+inverter

Or something a little bigger (probably more reliable for 7+ hours use)

http://www.amazon.com/BESTEK%C2%AE-Outlets-Inverter-Charging-Smartphones/dp/B004MDXS0U/ref=sr_1_7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1436384840&sr=1-7&keywords=12v+dc+to+ac+inverter

Oh, and a deep cycle battery:

http://www.amazon.com/60Ah-Sealed-Battery-Color-Green/dp/B00SR80YNU/ref=sr_1_18?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1436385054&sr=1-18&keywords=deep+cycle+battery+60ah

 
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xdeathbyreaperx

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Jul 7, 2015
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What you have to realize is that you lose a TON of energy when converting from solar to chemical(in a battery) and then again lose more power when using the battery. While this is definitely doable ( a fellow Trine University student did this for a senior design project) I would say this would be more of a fun/experimental project. If you're just wanting a way to use your computer without a wall outlet, I would say there are a lot "easier" solutions out there- such as:

+Buying a small generator.
+Buying a few extra or a large external battery pack & simply charging them before you leave.

While these options may be easier and more quick, I think it would be a nice project to create a solar power source to charge laptops as it is definitely a possibility. If you decide to go with this route, please post back the end result as I would like to compare it to similar situations =)
 
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akseli

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Jun 6, 2009
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I don't think portable panels currently can charge a laptop yet. Specially if you don't stay at same place whole time. If you have a vehicle then you can get enough power for laptop with larger panels.
 
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HiggsPrime

HiggsPrime

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Apr 19, 2014
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Firstly most of you are like why go for camping when ur spending 5-6hrs a day on laptop. The reason is, I am an entrepreneur, already have 2 self sustaining business and I have another one. So I am goin on a "thinkin Trip" to think clearly and stay away from home. My first business idea was successful by staying in Hotel for 2 weeks concentrating on the project. My second business was in a more expensive hotel but this time I want a change, a change to get inspired by nature and peace to get the perfect pitch for my next investment. I will be spending many hours talking to my partners on teamspeak, onenote, documentation, skype, email and offcourse Netflix to catch on series.

@ xdeathbyreaperx -------------------------------------------------------
Yes i realise that from the beginning. converting dc to ac and then back to dc is a lot of energy waste but thats all heat only if we had the technology to use this heat for a better efficient solution.
1. Generator: too noisy and its very big to carry plus the fuel.
2. Battery: these are charge batteries and will run out soon in a day.

@ Eximo --------------------------------------
Yes that this was my concept http://imgur.com/6HQrEIC

Things to buy:
1. http://shop.theaa.com/store/view-all-1/car-battery-solar-charger
2. http://www.halfords.com/motoring-travel/bulbs-wiper-blades-batteries/batteries/halfords-lead-acid-battery-hb075-3-yr-guarantee
3. http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00INW611Y/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=11VF8YMRFJ9V8&coliid=I2RE69HGHN1E4I&psc=1
4. and an extension cable to connect 3 plugs.

So will this work? or do I need a bigger PV cell i.e. 100W ones?
 
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akseli

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With a peak power of 2.4 watts you can keep a phone battery at full charge, and do occasional calls. Small laptop uses something between 10W-30W. (when trying to conserve power)

You will need quite much more powerful panel.
 
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Eximo

Eximo

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Yeah, way too small.

Standard car battery isn't designed for full discharge and recharge for the use of independent power. They are designed with an alternator in mind that charges the battery every time a car is running. They also aren't sealed. Certainly cheaper though.

 
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