- Lightweight
- Portable
- Compact
- Durable
- Includes Female 12V CLA
I got this unit and the 60watt unit of Powerfilm. I also bought the Duracell 600HD battery. I live in the desert and can use the 30w to charge my battery for about a day in good sun. I run my fans (usually straight for 3-4 days without recharging), I charge my phones, mp3, laptop, 8ft Intex pool filter (all day), rechargeable batteries (lots of D cells for fans, radios, etc.). I charge my electric mower and electric weed whacker, as well as my two e-bike batteries off of the Duracell battery that was charged with the solar panel. I've only had these solar panels a little over a month and feel really good about charging everything with the sun. The 60w is better for the laptop powering but the 30 is great too, it just doesn't provide as long or as much recharge.
You have to watch the connector ends. I had never bought any solar before, so didn't know the connectors come in all shapes and sizes, like cell phone chargers, and got a battery tender that doesn't go with Powerfilm connectors. If you want a full system you should have a charge controller, a battery, and an inverter. All these need connecting lines that fit to each other properly. Just a note for those who don't know, and may want to avoid ordering the wrong cords, charge controllers and such.
One thing about this type of panel is that its flexibility can be an issue in the wind. If the wind comes up it'll flap over, and if I'm not watching it I can have it out and not know I'm not getting things charged as they should.
On the positive side it isssss lightweight, and great for fitting into a back pack and having recharge power for phones, mp3's, gps units, and battery operated lights. Believe it or not I've got a 12 volt coffee maker and take that with me when I car camp. :)
I've really maxed out the use of this thing from the moment it arrived. I have no worries about basic power needs.
I'm updating this review three months later... still plugging away fantastic. I am continuing to charge all my electric items, and emergency batteries. The batteries I bought aren't so good a purchase but the panels have been great. I used the 60 watt to power directly off the panel a tall fan/mister to cool the area I was working in my back yard when I constructed my shed. You have to love a unit that can power a major fan/mister in 110 degrees where power is nowhere near. :)
OK this is an update after a year of use. This panel and my 60 watt are still working very well. I've learned a few lessons about how to manage getting the best power possible. It really is important to follow the sun, direct lighting on the panel is important so take the time to move or drape your panel with the movement of the sun. You can get a decent battery charge with ambient/cloudy lighting, don't refrain from using it just because it's not a clear day. Don't let your panel get too hot! Too much heat can interfere with charging your battery. I have this problem because it regularly gets over 110 degrees and I have a concrete slab back patio. My panels got slightly "curled" looking because of the heat exposure. I moved my charging location, putting them exclusively on the grass, but it took some creative extension cords to get the panels connected to the batteries (keeping batteries out of the heat). Clean your panels!! They can get dirty even if it doesn't seem like it, so just use very slightly wetted soft cotton cloth, or a good microfiber cloth, to clean the panels every now and then. I still haven't found a decent battery for this set-up, I've tried four different kinds and they cost so much to buy, are so complicated and expensive to return, it's cost prohibitive... so that is the weak spot of my system, but I can still run my laptops, fans, charge batteries, power my electric mower and more without having a "decent" battery.
Buy PowerFilm F15-1800 30w Folding Solar Panel Charger Now
I wanted this panel to charge a 7.5 amp-hr battery and run my 100 watt ham station.
With a pwm Sunguard charge controller the panel worked great. The panel was rated at 1.8 amps and I measured over 2 amps out and got over 28 watts at a non peak time and temperature. With an mppt controller I probably would have gotten another 4 watts
out. This panel was pushing out power at all sun angles. Very impressive. Also note that I called their technician to ask a question and got terrific help
Read Best Reviews of PowerFilm F15-1800 30w Folding Solar Panel Charger Here
Powerfilm solar chargers (from 5watt to 60watt) deliver over 15volts, which is perfect for direct connection to most laptops (20w and up typically) and 12volt devices. The product line comes with a connector which is equipped with a cigarette lighter socket, personally I replaced the socket with a 2.1mm plug and found it much more useful with a kit of adapters. I have at least one of every model the company makes, yes I do find them this handy. There is a video on youtube showing these panels being shot with a gun several times and the output drops only 10% after bullet holes turn it into swiss cheese. This is comforting knowing that if one part of the system fails, it will still get you power you need. There is no better system on the market in the world for portable solar. $10/watt is a hard price to swallow, but like I saidnone beats it on this planet...
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I have been using Powerfilm products since 2007. This is the highest power I have tried. I needed this to power the battery on my new RV--it runs my water pump and ceiling fan while I am in the desert. I have mostly sunny days with some cloudiness in the afternoon. Hooking up the panel is easy, keeping it in the sun is easy, and folding and stowing it--yes, easy. I find that full day exposure four days a week keeps the battery topped up. My electronics charge quickly, as one might expect from the increased power. This size does not connect to other panels, as the smaller ones do.
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The item I ordered was identified as digital camo. The item I received was all black with two rows of collectors instead of three. I am not happy with this order and if I could get what I ordered I would like that to happen.
