Foldable Panel Info

General Info

Description

The PowerFilm® Foldable Solar Chargers are extremely lightweight and compact. They are designed for users who need lightweight portable and remote power for laptops, cell phones, satellite phones, GPS units, and other devices and systems. For carrying, these chargers are folded into a small size that can easily be stowed in a backpack or laptop bag.

The PowerFilm® Foldable Solar Chargers can be used in 3 easy ways:

Applications 

  • Charge laptop, cell phone, satellite phone, GPS unit.
  • Power for remote sensors.
  • Water purification systems.
  • Charge 12V battery systems.

Benefits 

  • Ultra lightweight for extended missions.
  • Ultra compact to fit in pocket, backpack, or laptop bag.
  • Performs well in diverse environments, including hot, and cloudy environments.

Features 

  • UV Resistant/Weather Resistant.
  • Reverse blocking diode.
  • Rugged construction.
  • Comes with the RA-2 Female Cigarette Lighter Adapter.
  • Daisy chain multiple units for additional power.
  • 1 Year Warranty

Charge or Direct power 12V Systems: 

Daily Run Times (in hours)
Based on 5 hours of full sun per day. 

Indicated below are examples of average run and charge times for common uses for PowerFilm® Foldable Solar Panels. For example, an average 12V fish finder consumes 0.83 Amps per hour. With the F15-300, a typical day with five hours of full sun will allow the fish finder to run for 1.8 hours and the F15-1200 would allow the fish finder to run for 7.2 hours. 



5 hours of full sun will allow you to power your wireless electronics for __ hours
Charge or Direct Power 12V Systems F15-300n F15-600 F15-1200 F16-1800 F16-3600

 

daily run time in hours

12V fish finder (0.83 Amps)

1.8

3.6

7.3

10.9

21.9

12V GPS (0.43 Amps)

3.6

7.1

14.3

21.45

42.9

12V Bilge Pump (3.00 Amps)

0.5

1.0

2.0

3.0

6.0

Outdoor Lighting (0.80 Amps)

1.9

3.8

7.5

11.25

22.5

14" Color Television (3.33 Amps)

0.5

0.9

1.8

2.7

5.4

Search Light (8.30 Amps)

0.2

0.4

0.7

1.05

2.1

CB Radio (0.42 Amps)

3.6

7.1

14.3

21.45

42.9

Instructions for Use: 

  01.  

Unfold and place so solar panel (dark side) is face up with orientation to sun.

  02.  

With the grommets on each of the corners, use a tie cord to hold the panel in place. This is important to reduce loss or damage from high winds.

  03.  

Ensure the solar panel cord out of the junction box is well connected to the RA-8 15 ft. Extension Cord with Aligator Clips. (Fig. 1)

  04.  

Identify the correct polarity! (Red +, Black -)

  05.  

Attach the alligator clip battery terminal connectors at the end of the extension cord to your 12 volt battery or the 12 volt device you are directly powering. (Fig. 2)

  06.  

You may leave the panel permanently connected to your battery since there is an included blocking diode in the junction box that blocks reverse draining of current from your battery. As with any permanent connection to a battery, safely clean the connections on a periodic basis as needed.

  07.  

To store the product, simply disconnect the cords and fold up. Use the Velcro® flap to hold the folded cell securely.
12V Solar Battery Connection

Charging Wireless Electronics

The internal batteries of your wireless electronics can be charged by connecting the PowerFilm® Foldable Solar Panel to your device's 12V cigarette lighter adapter. The RA-2 Female Cigarette Lighter Adapter is included free with any Foldable Solar Panel purchase. 

Daily Run Times (in hours)
Based on 5 hours of full sun per day. 

Indicated below are examples of average run and charge times for common uses for PowerFilm® Foldable Solar Panels. For example, an average 12V fish finder consumes 0.83 Amps per hour. With the F15-300, a typical day with five hours of full sun will allow the fish finder to run for 1.8 hours and the F15-1200 would allow the fish finder to run for 7.2 hours. 



5 hours of full sun will allow you to power your wireless electronics for __ hours
Charge Wireless Electronics F15-300n F15-600 F15-1200 F16-1800 F16-3600

 

daily run time in hours

Cell Phone (0.50 Amps)

3

6

12

18

36

Satellite Phone (0.50 Amps)

3

6

12

18

36

AM/FM Radio (0.40 Amps)

3.8

7.5

15

22.5

45

Laptop (4.00 Amps)

0.6

1.2

2.4

3.6

7.2

PDA (0.50 Amps)

3

6

12

18

36

Battery Charging Made Simple 

1. Choose Battery Charging Accessory: 

Use the chart below to find the appropriate charging accessory for your battery needs. The colummns are represented by the different battery types available for charging, and the rows pertain to the specific charging accessories. 
  AA AAA C D 9V Li Ion Li Poly NiCad NiMH
RA-3b

X

X

              
RA-4

X

X

X

X

X

        
RA-5

X

X

X

X

  

X

X

X

X

2. Choose Foldable Solar Panel: 

Now choose the optimal PowerFilm® Foldable Solar Panel to use with your selected battery charger pack. Also you can use the RA-6 Daisy Chain Accessory to connect 2 Foldable solar panels together for greater power. 
Lithium, NiCad, or NiMH Batteries F15-300n F15-600 F15-1200 F16-1800 F16-3600
 

charge time in hours

AA

1-4

 RA-3b

(2 batt) 4-6

(4 batt) 4-6

(4 batt) 4-6

(4 batt) 2-4

(4 batt) 1-2

2-4

 RA-4 N/A N/A

1-3

1-2

~1

1-6

 RA-5 N/A

1-3

1-3

1-2

~1

AAA

1-4

 RA-3b

(2 batt) 1-2

(4 batt) 1-2

(4 batt) 1-2

(4 batt) ~1

(4 batt) <1

2-4

 RA-4 N/A N/A

1-3

1-2

~1

1-6

 RA-5 N/A

1-3

1-3

1-2

~1

D

   RA-3b N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

2-4

 RA-4 N/A N/A

3-13

2-8

1-5

1-6

 RA-5 N/A

3-13

3-13

2-8

1-5

Lithium,
NiCad, or NiMH

   RA-3b N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
  RA-4 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

1

 RA-5 N/A

2-4

2-4

1-3

1-2