We all carry an electric device with us, whether it is a mobile phone, iPod, GPRS or even a tablet. Well, more often than not these devices may run out of charge when we need them the most. To make things even worse you may find yourself in a situation where there is no any electricity charging port near you. Initially, the obvious solution was to sit back and curse the day you were born. However, with the advancement in technology and in particular in harnessing solar energy department, when your phone runs out of battery you have the least to worry about. 

With the numerous allpowers solar charger, all you have to do is ensure that you carry one around, the rest will be done by the sun. Most of these all power solar generators can be charged through harnessing solar energy which is the main purpose and hence the name, however, they can also be charged using a normal USB charger connected to your computer or electrical outlet.

The best allpowers solar chargers available in the market today

So as to avoid disappointments and ensure that what we purchase will perform the required duties effectively, choosing the best there is in the market isn’t optional, its something you must do. And just like any other product in the market even with allpowers solar charger, there are those brands that will disappoint and there are those that will live up to the reputation and offer you with nothing short of the best services. This article will walk you through some of the best allpowers solar charger available in the market. All you have to do is read through and decide which suits you best.

It is available in either 10000 amps or 23000 amps meaning that it can charge at least three phones. Even better is the fact that the device has to USB port, meaning that you can charge two items simultaneously. The 23000 amps Allpowers Solar Charger Battery Power Bank can also be used to charge a laptop. And, yes, you read that right, it can be used to charge a laptop. And that’s not all, there is one special feature that no other company has been able to beat, this device has an over-current protection. What this means is that in case of a short circuit the device will go off to prevent overheating or even worse damaging the device you were charging.

2. Allpowers 16wts Solar Panel Charger

3. Anker 21W Solar Charger

It is easy to carry around and has a security system to prevent it from getting damaged in case of a short circuit. This security system also prevents damage to the device that you are charging.

It is small and compact in size making it easily portable. You can easily fold it and put it in your pocket without feeling rather bulky and uncomfortable.

Conclusion

It is my hope that you enjoyed reading this tutorial and most importantly found it useful. Don’t keep all this information on the best allpowers solar charger to yourself, share this article with a friend or two and don’t forget to leave a comment in the comment section below. Thank you.

With the introduction of electricity and over 70% of the people in the world being connected it was all good news. And why not, back in the days, people used candles and lanterns which other than not providing enough light were prone to many accidents. For example, what would happen if a candle fell on your books after you rushed to the grocery shop? Well, the worst can be imagined. Electricity is good news until when you get your monthly electric bill and realize that depending on the what electrical appliances you have, it will be required of you to part with over $100. Well, getting solar lights would be an appropriate option if you seek to cut the cost but do you know how to charge solar lights without sun? 

Most sources of energy and in specific fossil fuels are the major causes of the current global warming crisis we are experiencing currently. Well, we understand that must it have so many side effects? On the other hand, solar energy is the opposite of what fossil fuels are. Electricity and fossil fuels are very expensive; in fact, this explains why most of the third world countries have not been able to successfully provide electricity to the majority of their citizens living below the poverty line mark. Solar energy, on the other hand, is absolutely free. There is nobody that will charge even a cent for harnessing the light from the sun. Meaning that once you install your solar appliances you are good to go and you won’t incur any additional cost whatsoever. When it comes to solar lights there is always one frequently asked question. What if the is no sun, does that mean that I will have to be in the dark? Well, the answer to that question is, you won’t be in the dark if you learn how to charge solar lights without the sun, and, this article will walk you the various ways in which you can do so.

The Truth about solar lights

You would be surprised by how much people know very little about solar light. It is this lack of knowledge that has discouraged many to consider solar lights the best substitute option for electricity. Well, here is all you need to know about solar lights.

Solar lights produce the same amount of light as that produced by an electric bulb. There are those who believe that solar lights only produce deem light and that at the time you would have to guess where you kept something since you can’t see it clearly. This is not the case when the battery is fully charged there will be enough light to run even your electrical appliances. The light will only get deem if your battery is running out of charge which is very rare given the fact that it gets recharged every day during daytime.

There is also another group of people who believe that so as to harness enough sunlight; you have to install your solar panel very high. This is not the case, all you have to is ensuring that you station your solar panel in a place free from obstacles such as trees or buildings where it can get direct sunlight for the most part of the day.

Finally here comes the most asked question: what is there is no sunlight? Does it mean that I will have to be in the dark? For those in Africa and Australia, its good news, they have over 200 sunny days in a year; however, those of us who are miles away from the equator have a season called winter where which can go for up two months without seeing the sun. The good news is that you won’t be in the dark; this article will walk you through some basic ways on how to charge solar lights without sun. 

3 Ways on how to charge solar lights without sun?

The following are some of the ways in which you can charge your solar lights without the sun. 

1.Harnessing the light on a cloudy day

No one can oppose the fact that the sun is our greatest source of heat and light. Even better is the fact that we get it for free. On a cloudy day, the sun is blocked by the clouds and hence preventing its rays from reaching the group. A lot of people think that solar lights will only charge if there is direct sunlight and that on a cloudy day you would have to stay in the dark. Well, if this is what you believe then you are misguided. Solar lights will still charge even on a cloudy day since there are made from very sensitive light receptors that will convert even the slightest light to electrical energy. So your question is answered, your solar lights will still charge even on a cloudy day, the only drawback is that it won’t be as effective as when the sky is clear and there is direct sunlight. 

2.Using incandescent light

I am very confident that very few people if any knew that you can actually use incandescent light to charge your solar light. Well, many would say why would I have to charge my solar light using another source of light? There are those of us who rely on solar lights as a backup in case there are technical problems with electricity. In that case, you can charge your solar lights with the same light you are using around the house, it just has to be bright enough and the receptors will convert the light into electric energy storing it for use later when needed. 

3.LED lights

The same concept applies also to the LED light. If you think of it as using another source of energy to provide light that is in turn harnessed by the solar light can be very expensive. But, look at it this way, you are using LED light basically for other reasons, why not take advantage and charge your solar light yet it’s absolutely free?

Conclusion

It is my sincere hope that you enjoyed reading this tutorial and most importantly found it useful. There is a lot of confusion when it comes to solar lights since many people are of the belief that with no sun you will be in the dark. On the positive side, this article has informed and walked you through the various processes on how to charge solar lights without sun. As a good friend, don’t keep all this knowledge to yourself, share this article with a friend or two and don’t forget to leave a comment in the comment section below. 

8 decades ago, we didn’t have electricity in most part of the world. In fact, even in developed countries like the USA and Russia, electricity was strictly confined to the cities and even then not everyone could afford it. As time passed, people discovered new ways to generate electricity and this explains why in our current generation over 75% of the people have electricity in their home. But, there are those of us who would like to get off the grill and go old school by choosing to power things around using solar energy. With that said, then it is important to know the various ways on how to build a solar generator.

Research has indicated that the main reason as to why we have global warming is due to the smoke emitted by the fossil fuels. To some extent you might say, how does global warming affect me? Well, it does. Solar power is clean, has no pollutants and most importantly free. If you learn how to build a solar generator there is no one will charge you a cent for trapping the sun’s energy. It is free and renewable in the sense that the sun will always be there for you to trap its energy. This is debatable since there are those who would argue that there are a few months in a year when they never see the sun, but that doesn’t change the fact that solar energy is renewable and for your information, there are some countries that are sunny for over 300 days in a year. 

Why learn how to build a solar generator?

Whether you want to cut off your electricity bill, run some electrical appliances through solar energy or simply want to run everything through solar energy; whatever your reason is to be least assured that solar energy won’t disappoint you. 

On this article, we are talking about how to build a solar generator. Why not go to the shop and buy one? Well, you can buy a solar generator but this will cost you quite a fortune. Solar generators are very expensive, maybe it’s due to the fact that the manufacturers know that they won’t charge you for using it to harness the solar energy and on buying it everything shall be free. Whatever the reason behind the high prices it’s not worth it. You can easily build your own solar generator at home; all you need is a few things from a hardware store or the internet (Amazon). What you could have spent over $3000 to buy you will make your own in less than $300. And, yes the price difference is that large and this explains why you have to learn how to build a solar generator.

Basic equipment that you need when building a solar generator

You basically have to spend a few dollars and purchase a few types of equipment so as to build a solar generator. So, which are these equipments that you need to buy?

1.Solar panel​

You can’t say you didn’t see this coming. You need a solar panel so as to harness the solar energy and convert it to electrical energy. The most recommended solar panel while building a solar generator has the following dimensions:

(529×641×25) open

(296×641×50) closed

2.Charger controller

As the name suggests, the work of this tool is to control and regulate the amount of charge that gets in and out of the battery. It particularly helps prevent the battery from overcharging and sending surge electricity signals to the inventor.

3.Cycle battery

Basically, this is a lead-acid battery that you can get from any hardware store near you. The battery must have the capacity to regular charge and discharge. Though the effectiveness will fade away with time you can easily replace it and get a new one.

4.Inverter

The inventor changes the direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). Most household appliances use the (AC) current. What the inverter does is, it increases the DC voltage then converts it to AC where it is then sent to the circuit.

5.Wires and wire connectors

There is no explanation needed on wires, everyone knows what wires are. Wire connectors are used to safely connect different wires. 

Steps on how to build a solar generator

Now that you have bought all the necessary things, then it’s now time to get connected.

Step 1

Connect the DC meter to the top of your battery box using a drill. The same should also be done on the DC input module which will enable easier access to the both when you finally connect everything and your generator is working.

Step 2

Connect the inverter to the batter using insulated wires. It is important to ensure that you connect the positive wire on the inverter to the positive module on the battery and the same should also be done on the negative. As a precaution, when making the connection ensure that you first connect the negative module before proceeding to the negative on so as to avoid getting an electric shock. 

Step 3

The same way you connected the inverter to the battery do the same and connect the charge controller to the battery. Ensure that you use insulated wires and see to it that both the positive and negative wires are connected to their respective poles on the battery correctly. 

Step 4

Connect the charger controller to the solar panel. It has to be noted that, the solar energy harnessed by the solar panel has to first go through the charger control so as to be regulated before charging the battery. Again, on this, ensure that the positive and negative wires are connected to their respective correct terminals. As a precaution, you should also ensure that you firmly close the lid of the battery box since this will help prevent any unnecessary moisture from getting in the battery or the terminals. This will ensure that your battery performs effectively for long. 

Step 5

Position your solar panel in a suitable place where it can harness maximum sunlight. When the battery is charged you can now connect your household appliances and you are good to go.

Conclusion

It is my hope that you enjoyed reading this tutorial and most importantly found it useful. Whatever the reasons you may have that drives you learning how to build a solar generator are, one thing is for sure; you will be saving quite a fortune if you build one yourself other than buying it. The average price of a solar generator is $1500 yet this article has walked you through a process in which you can make one of your own at only $300. Don’t keep all this knowledge to yourself. Share this article with a friend or two and don’t forget to leave a comment in the comment section below. 

The solar panel is a good alternate source of renewable energy of which many countries are already utilizing the potentials. Harnessing the power from solar energy requires technical knowledge for the connections and installation. Proper knowledge is required to know how to wire solar panels to get the best power from it.

There is need to know how to wire the batteries, the panels, and the supply. This can go a long way in determining the output rating and also the longevity. The output is very important as it determines what load capacity it can carry. This is one vital aspect of solar panel which determines the purpose and the usage.

Types of solar panels

Glass Solar Panel

Glass solar panel is arguably the most applicable in a household and commercial installation. The solar cells are made of glass and have been around for a very long time.

Semi Flexible

This one is relatively more expensive than the rest and it usually ideal for mobile application. The solar cells are flexible and can be bent into some shapes for easy transit.

Portable Solar

Portable solar is very popular with travelers and campers for lighting in isolated regions. It is flexible and made with glass. The only challenge is that the power rating is usually low and may not produce very high watts.

Parts of solar panel

Charge Controller

The charge controller is the device that controls the charging terminals of the solar panel. The solar panels are connected directly to the input terminals of the charge controllers using the proper wires.

The charge controller outputs to the batteries delivering the watts that charges up the batteries. It is usually located very close to the batteries to reduce wiring and easy maintenance.

Power Inverter

This is the brain of the solar system and one of the most critical parts of the system. This is the device that converts the DC produced by the solar cells into AC during normal operation. The major work of this device is to reverse the direction of the current from DC to AC and increase the amperage depending on the settings.

The power inverter draws its input from the batteries and supplies to the mains. It, therefore, requires the large size of wires since it may be supplying up to 10 or 15amps.

Batteries

The batteries are like the heartbeat of any solar system, it produces the necessary power. The battery receives its input from the charge controllers and output to the power inverters. The batteries are usually rechargeable and come in different ratings depending on the design.

The rating and output of the batteries can be altered boosted or reduced by the kind of wiring. The battery wiring is of utmost importance as it determines the quality of the output. There are two basic ways of wiring the battery which are series or parallel.

Wiring

The wiring instruction for solar panel often comes from the manufacturers indicating the wire thickness and colors. The thickness of the cable is important in the output rating and the distance of the panels to the batteries.

The cables for connecting the batteries are often pre-made battery lead which different from the supply. Correct wire sizes are essential to avoid loss of energy and prevent overheating of the system.

Improper wiring may also cause damage to the system this why a wire chart is usually available for selecting the ideal wire. It is ideal to follow the chart to avoid this error and also prolong the lifespan of the solar system.

How to wire solar panels: Parallel and series wiring?

Wiring of solar panel is very critical to the battery longevity and output quality. The wiring can have a great impact on the overall performance of the solar system. The output capacity of every solar panel is measured in watts which can be calculated by simply multiplying the current by the voltage.

There is need to find the right balance between the ampere and the voltage to ensure normal and steady output. The installer may decide to wire the solar in series or in parallel or even a combination of both depending on the required output.

Wiring in series

Wiring solar in series involves connecting the batteries with a string a cable running from the charge controller. The trick here is that the voltage is summed up for each of the batteries but the amperage across the line remains the same.

The process of wiring in series:

• It involves connecting all positive terminal of the first solar panel to the negative terminals of the next solar panel.
• Connect the negative terminal of the first solar panel to the positive terminal of the next solar panel. This way, the positive and negative terminals of the last solar panel would connect to the inverter. For instance, if you have six solar panels with ratings of 12volts and 7amps, connecting the entire array in series would produce 72 volts and 7 amps. The voltage becomes the summation of all the voltage across the solar panels while the amperage remains the same.

The series connection of solar panel is akin to the old string of Christmas lights. It come in a long continuous loop such that if one of the bulbs breaks the whole string goes off. This is because all the current in the circuit flows through the entire load connected to the system. The current travels only in one path so breaking the circuit at any point will cut off the entire series. This is one major setback of wiring solar panel in series.

This means that more wiring is required to completely loop all the terminals from each of the solar panels. Remember that solar panels are like a battery, they have both positive and negative terminals and the current flow from the negative to the positive terminals.

Wiring in parallel

Wiring in parallel means connecting the terminals of solar panels with a single wire leading from the roof. The advantage here is that the amperage is summed together while the voltage remains the same across the load line. Depending on the technical specifications, parallel wiring provides higher ampere compared to series.

For instance, if you have six solar panels with ratings of 12 volts and 7 amps and wish to wire them in parallel. The resultant output would be 12 volts and 42 amperes which mean the voltage is the same while the ampere is summed up.

Connecting solar in parallel entails:

• Using a single wire to connect all the positive terminals of the first solar panel to the last one.
• Then connect the negative terminals of the first solar panel to the last one and terminate the connection to the inverter.

The parallel connection uses less wiring compared to the series wiring.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether it is series or parallel, the choice of a wiring of solar panel will go a long way in determining its output rating. If you do not know how to wire solar panels it is advisable you seek a technical expert advice.

This will ensure you avoid errors that could damage the system and also get the best performance from a solar panel.

The solar panel is user-friendly and some quality products can last up to 25 years which is long enough to get the ROI from it. So, you choose wisely when determining the kind of wiring to go for.