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Solar Panel and Battery Charger (Multi-Purpose)

Writen by Edwin Jones

Fact checked by Andrew Wright

This Product has been discontinued and is no longer available. You can pick an emergency wind up radio on our main page.

  • This solar panel is an unique and advanced design with a four different voltage system. It consists of 3, 6, 9 and 12 volt output to match different voltage requirements of your appliance or for charging system up to 9v rechargeable batteries. Polarity is reversible.
  • Recharge 2 “AA” Ni-cad rechargeable batteries in sunlight or incandescent light. (not included)
  • Serves as a power pack for windup radios
  • Ideal and convenient power supply for charging the mobile phones, radios, cassette players and toys.
  • Easy to carry with a convenient carrying handle.
  • Adjustable stand for maximum absorption of sun energy.
  • Simple and easy to use.
  • LED indicator shows charging status.

Details for the 3, 6, 9 and 12 Volt Solar panel with built in “AA Battery Charger

The solar panel consists of 24 single crystal silicon solar cells wired in series with a built in blocking diode. The blocking diode is to prevent the reverse flow of electricity to the solar panel (from the rechargeable battery or appliance) when the solar contribution is insufficient.

The unit has a 4 positon variable voltage selector switch to maximize charging times for various applications

  • Position # 1: 3 volt at 200 mA
  • Position # 2: 6 volt at 100 mA
  • Position # 3: 9 volt at 50 mA
  • Position # 4: 12 volt at 50 mA

To charge 2 AA size Ni-Cad rechargeable batteries in the compartment designed for this purpose, set the switch in position # 2, insert the batteries and charge for 4-6 hours. An LED charge indicator is wired in to the battery compartment and serves to indicated that the charging process is taking place.

It is possible to operate the your appliance directly from the solar panel, an omni plug connector with connecting wire is provided. The omni plug consists of:

  • 2.5mm male plug
  • 3.5mm male plug
  • 5.0mm x 2.1mm female plug
  • 5.5mm x 2.5mm female plug
  • 3.5mm x 1.35mm radio/cassette player plug
  • Red and black aligator clips

To determine the appliance voltage multiply the voltage of the batteries in the appliance by the number of batteries the appliance requires.

So, 1 AA battery = 1 x 1.5 volts= 1.5 volts, 2 AA batteries = 2 x 1.5 volts = 3 volts, 4 AA batteries = 4 x 1.5 volts = 6 volts, 6 AA batteries = 6 x 1.5 volts = 9 volts, etc. If your appliance uses 6 AA batteries the you would set the selector switch to the appropriate position which is # 3 (9 volts at 50 mA)

If your portable radio/cassette player can use rechargeable a battery(ies), you can charge the battery(ies) while you are listening to the appliance. If you are not using the appliance you can fully utilize the solar energy to charge tha batteries faster.

If you do not have a suitable DC external supply plug on your appliance then you may be able to connect the solar panel directly to the appliance by removing the battery compartment cover on your appliance and connecting the aligator clips to the +/- terminals if possible.

Be sure of the correct polarity. The red aligator clip is the + (positive) the black is the -(negative). If this does not work try to reverse the polarity by switching the connection at the polarity plug in the connecting cable.

About the Charging system:

Experience has shown that for better charging results the voltage of the power supply should be greater than the voltage requirements of the rechargeable batteries. So to charge a 2.4 volt battery set the selector switch to position # 2 (6 volts at 100mA) for the best results.

A charging chart is provided for easy reference with AA size batteries as an example

Position Solar Output If Rechargeable batteries are built into your appliance Charging Time In full sunlight
1 3V 200mA 1pc. x 1.2V = 1.2V
AA battery (600mA)
2-3 hours
2 6V 100mA 2pcs. x 1.2V = 2.4V
AA battery (600mA)
4-6 hours
3 9V 50mA 4pcs. x 1.2V = 4.8V
AA battery (600mA)
10-12 hours
4 12V 50mA 6pcs. x 1.2V = 7.2V
AA battery (600mA)
10-12 hours

Charging times will vary depending upon the following conditions:

  1. Capacity of the battery
  2. Intensity of the sunlight
  3. Level of battery discharge

Charging time can be calculated as follows:

Time = Battery capacity of 600mA / Solar output # 2 of 100mA = 6 hours

The solar panel can be used to charge different types of rechargeable batteries: e.g. D size, C size, AA size, AAA size or lead/acid 6V/4 battery, up to 9V rechargeable battery, if these batteries are built into your appliance (such as radio/cassette player, flashlight or portable telephone)

The solar panel can be used to charge a 6 volt rechargeable battery by using the red/black aligator clips. Be sure to have the correct polarity. Connect the red clip to the +(positive) and the black to the -(negative).

The solar panel features an adjustable carry handle which can be moved to maximize the angle of the solar panel relative to the sun. Expose the face of the solar panel to the sun for maximum solar absorption, the more sunlight received the greater the charging efficiency.

5/5 - (1 vote)