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Reviews > Electronic Devices > Solar Chargers > Exponent Flex 5 System with Batt Pak > Bill Jeffrey > Initial ReportICP Solar Technology Exponent Flex 5 System with Batt Pak - Initial Report
Tester Personal Biographical Information Bill Jeffrey
I have over 30 years backpacking experience, starting with Scouting as a youth. I am currently the High Adventure Leader for a Scout Troop. I try to get out once or twice a month, plus at least one week-long trek each year. My trips are of two types. First, I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in sections, and generally use a lightweight approach on these typically solo trips. Other trips involving family involve more traditional backpacking equipment. Terrain varies from sea level to 14,000 feet (4,300 m), desert to mountain, and trail to cross country, occasionally including snow travel. I usually carry several electronic devices with me - cell phone, ham radio, digital camera, and GPS - all of which eat batteries. This is the first of three reports of the ICP Solar Technology Exponent Flex 5 System with BattPak describing the system and my initial impressions. Future reports will describe my experiences with the system over two and then six months. Product Description: Two separate items are being tested:
Product Description: The system was shipped in a rather flimsy corrugated cardboard box, with the contents well-padded by foam peanuts. The two items were each packed in their own retail clamshell package. Coleman Exponent FLEX 5
The Coleman Exponent FLEX 5 solar charger packaging lists various electronics that it might charge, including cellular phones and GPSs, and states it is "great for campers, backpackers and kayakers." I particularly like the claim "NO BATTERIES REQUIRED." Besides charging batteries, the website and instructions say FLEX 5 can also be used to power small electronic devices, such as cellular phones and GPS units. The solar charger consists of a weatherproof navy blue ripstop nylon fabric, with yellow trim. The fabric surrounds a backing material that gives the charger a bit of rigidity. It is folded into five sections. There is no strap or snap to keep it closed, but this is not needed, as there are no removable parts to lose. Four of the fabric sections contain the solar cells panels, measuring approximately 7 by 3.75 inches each (18 x 10 cm). The cells are embedded in the fabric and have a maroon and gold hue and a rough texture, not like the smooth plastic surface I had expected. A thin wire can be felt running through the fabric connecting each solar panel. The instructions caution that the solar cells should not be folded or creased as this could damage them. There is a 3/8-inch (1 cm) (inside diameter) grommet on each corner of the solar charger for use in attaching it to a backpack, kayak, or structure. A blue plastic connector protrudes slightly from the back of one panel and contains a 6-inch (15 cm) electrical cord thathas a male plug surrounded in black plastic with a cap to keep out dust. The cap is attached to the cord with a plastic leash to protect against lose. The cap was initially rather tight and slightly difficult to remove at first, which is good in that it should seal well. The device is claimed to be fully weatherproof and made of impact and ultraviolet resistant materials. Two separate cords are included with the Exponent FLEX 5:
The instructions, printed on a single sheet of paper with English on one side and French on the other, are easy to follow. In summary:
The instructions further state the FLEX 5 should be used with the electronic device's cigarette lighter adaptor to serve as a regulator, and not directly connected. Average claimed times to charge batteries (in full sunlight) are:
BattPak
The BattPak packaging declares itself "The most versatile batter charger in the Universe." The front of the package states the BattPak can charge 10 batteries in as little as 4 hours and be a power source for portable electronics. The back side says it would take an average of 8 hours using AC power, 12 hours using the sun, and that DC power is not recommended for charging more than 6 batteries, which would take an average 9 hours. Batteries are not included. (The instructions indicate some models come with batteries.) The BattPak is made of black plastic. An opaque hinged lid has push-button latch, but I can easily just pull the lid open. It holds up to ten batteries. At least two batteries must be installed to use the charger. The battery slots are spring-loaded and automatically adjust to accommodate AA or AAA batteries. Each battery goes in the same direction, rather than alternating positive and negative ends, and each slot is embossed to show the correct orientation. On the right side is a handle that slides out 1 inch (2.5 cm) for carrying - overkill for so small a device. The left side has two LEDs. A green LED indicates the batteries are fully charged and the batteries are being trickle charged (to keep them fully charged), while a red LED indicates the batteries are charging. On front is a 12 Volt cigarette lighter socket, with a removable cap that does not have a leash. With this outlet, the BattPak can be used to power any device with a cigarette lighter plug. It could also be used to recharge other batteries for small devices. On the back are power-in and power-out jacks. The power-in jack accommodates the included cigarette lighter plug for use in charging from a vehicle, as well as the plugs from the Exponent FLEX 5. The power-out jack is for use with power cables and adaptor tips from the iSun kits, which are not included in this test. On the bottom are two small spring-loaded contacts for connecting the BattPak to the iSun solar charger, which is not part of this test. The bottom also has a silver label with instructions for using the BattPak for charging and as a portable power source. The instructions are printed on a single sheet in five languages. The print is a bit small for my eyes. In summary:
Initial Impressions: My first reaction was, "Cool." I can see how this system can be very handy. My enthusiasm was quickly tempered as I found that the solar charger is heavier than I expected. To charge a cell phone, for example, I will have to carry the solar charger and 12 volt socket, with a total weight of 12.3 ounces (349 g). I could carry several extra batteries and still save plenty of weight. On trips when I might use my ham radio for longer periods of time, as I sometimes do hiking with other hams, the solar charger will be useful to keep one battery charged while using the other. I also think it will be very useful in emergencies. A future report will investigate how long it takes to charge that 1200 mA battery with solar power. I do have a few nits to pick:
My first attempt at use of the solar charger and BattPak together was at six p.m. with light overcast and the sun just behind the hills to the west. The temperature was 65 F (18 C). As expected, the open circuit voltage was only 7.5 volts instead of the 23 volt standard. Still, I gave it a try. The red LED on BattPak would only come on with two batteries installed and not with four. I did not attempt to see if they would actually charge, as the sun would soon be setting. I then plugged my cell phone into the socket on the solar charger. The LED on the cell phone DC adaptor came on, indicating power, but although the cell phone battery was half depleted, the cell phone display said the phone was fully charged. Apparently their was not enough current coming from the solar panels to charge the battery. A second attempt was made in with the solar panels on the dashboard of my truck. Initially, the dash was in the shadow of the morning sun. I found that direct sun is required. Just standing between the sun and the panels cast enough shade to stop the charging process. By noon the red LED said the batteries were charging. At 4:30 the red LED was still on, but I removed the batteries anyway and the 1.2-volt NiCd batteries showed 1.35 volts. I was impressed. Next: During the course of the test I will follow the weather on my outings. Initial outings will take me to the remote Anza-Borrego Desert, with later trips to the Southern California mountains. Elevation will range from sea level to 10,000 feet (3,000 meters). The weather could be anything from a warm and dry 85 degrees F (30 C) to a "balmy" 15 F (-10 C), with wind very likely, rain probably, and possibly a bit of snow. I will be testing the product components in two ways. First, as a way to charge batteries while on the trail. Second, as a way to directly power equipment while hiking, to save my batteries for use at night. Radio transmission requires more power than cell phones, radios, and GPS receivers. I will look at how to secure the solar charger to my small soft pack and battery charging time. I will run my cellular battery to empty and see if the FLEX 5 can produce enough power to operate the cell phone and a small two-way radio.
Reviews > Electronic Devices > Solar Chargers > Exponent Flex 5 System with Batt Pak > Bill Jeffrey > Initial Report | ||||||||||
