I use this folding solar panel to recharge my battery-powered equipment when I am camping and sea kayaking. So far it has worked very well. I have recharged my portable DVD player, my cell phone, my camera batteries and my VHF radio. All you need is sun, which can be a little iffy here in the Pacific Northwest. The good news is that the panel still charges even when the sky is lightly overcast, although not at the rate when it is receiving direct sunlight. It has been durable, and is compact. Definitely recommended!
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This is another example of Amazon's tendency to toss all reviews into the same pot in a "close enuff is good enuff" kinda way.
Just thought I'd point out that there are two models of this product 6.5 watt and 12 watt. The 6.5 watt model is named "12-VOLT". 12 watt is named "12-WATT" and costs about twice as much (logical, since it is has twice the panel surface). You can tell which one is being reviewed, if you happen to notice "Volt" or "Watt", but it is easy to miss unless you previously stumbled onto the "option" button on the product page.
The "12-Volt" fella producing 6.5 watts puts out a little under half an amp current. A nice trickle charge for smaller gadgets. The "12-Watt" model puts out almost one amp. This would charge smaller gadgets faster and provide a reliable charger for, say, a motorcycle battery. Either would get a car battery to a useable level after a while, and keep a charged battery topped off safely, but would not to provide a (car battery) full charge in short time.
Personally, I am glad I stumbled onto the difference, because I think perhaps it would be worth the extra money, and weight, to be able to charge things a little quicker.
I'll have to come back with a "real" review when I have owned one for a while. For now, I give it 4 stars just because 7 of the previous 8 reviewers gave it at least that. I should remind the reader that this is the small one, although this review ended up with the big one.
---------------May 16, 2012
Okay, I'm back. I had forgotten my promise until I received the email for the comment asking where my "real" review is. (Thanks, Y. Li)
Got the smaller one. Not sure why, after reading my comment that I was figuring I'd rather have the larger. I think perhaps the larger wasn't in stock when I was ready to purchase.
Whatever the case, used it on several multi day camping trips to keep a portable 12v "Power Tank" charged when a.c. wasn't convenient at the campsite. I deliberately discharged the battery (its a big flashlight, too), then charged it up. I also used the "iPod/iPhone connector to charge the iPad, although I had to make sure the solar panel stayed in the sun while the iPad stayed in the shade.The iPad never showed it was being charged, but it never does when connected to a USB port, either, and still charges, quite slowly, of course. This is probably about equivalent.
Don't recall specifics, like how long it took to recharge the battery (about a motorcycle battery size), which was mainly used to power my Celestron Telescope until I got the iPad. I believe it took all day in fairly strong sunlight to charge. I had a voltmeter connected to the battery, and it didn't take much of a cloud to cause a drop in voltage. Also, early morning or late evening it was pretty useless, although it could still provide a charge for an almost dead battery, but that is to be expected.
I also had the panel hooked up to the battery as I was running the iPad (via a car 12v adaptor plug). With the voltmeter connected, I could see when the panel was getting snuff light to charge, when it was just able to maintain the charge, and when the iPad was actually drawing down the battery. Basically, it showed full bright sunlight could charge under the iPad's load, but any cloud, or setting sun couldn't keep up.
As far as I'm concerned, the solar panel has proven quite functional for my purposes, and is a keeper. And since it functions as I need it to, I upped it to 5 stars.
Best Deals for Sunforce 22010 12-Watt Folding Solar Panel
This solar panel is a very capable and compact power source. In the cold February sun I measured 14.96 volts DC at 890 milliamperes, well in excess of rated power .. and I can only imagine what June's sunshine will deliver. The unit folds well and lies flat when unfolded once it's been allowed to warm a little in the sun. Doesn't appear to 'crinkle' when folding or unfolding as I've read some will do. The connector is very secure and the supplied cables well made. I haven't yet determined if the supplied 8ft extension cord causes any line loss.
This panel fits nicely into its carrying bag, goes in easily but can be difficult to pull out .. owing to an inside seam that catches the panel; you soon learn to curl the array a little to facilitate removal from the bag. I would also advise against putting any real weight on the folded panel as the electrical connector is contained inside when folded and can create an impression on the cells. I'm looking for a small clear plastic bag, perhaps a garment bag, to protect the unfolded array from dust or debris when in use .. to cover it and protect it. Shouldn't be too hard to find one.
The fabric is a texturized plastic resembling ballistic nylon .. it may actually have nylon fiber inside the plastic. Cleans easily. Grommets well made. I'm quite satisfied with it.
Honest reviews on Sunforce 22010 12-Watt Folding Solar Panel
Purchased in July 2009 and never used it until today to test before a camping trip. At 12:00 noon in NY in August panel flat (not tilted toward sun), connected to La Crosse battery charger BC500 that requires 12V 450ma Input. The charger would only charge 1 AAA or 1AA battery. If I put in a 2nd battery, charger seems to power cycle. It would start up and then reboot. So I connected a 40 ohm power resistor and measured the voltage directly across panel output. (We use this resistor to do life tests on 7.4 Volt Li-Ion batteries). Before applying the load, voltage was 14 Volts. I expected to measure 12 V across the resistor but surprisingly the output dropped to 5.7 V. A 40 ohm resistor should draw 300 Ma out of a 12 Volt power supply. I then measured the current and it was 400mA through the 40 ohm resistor. So it appears the 40ohm load was too large a load of the panel to handle. So this panel should be rated at 4W maybe 6 Watts NO way will it output 12W. Either I have a bad unit or its not rated properly. I suggest anybody who buys one immediately test it and return if not up to expectations. Just purchased a 26W bruton and will do some testing tomorrow. I guess the good news is I discovered this before really needing it to work. The bad news is I can't return it. Crap.
