Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

charging lithium battery for a camera by solar power

Interest forums / Travel Tech

I am looking at the feasability of solar charging a 3,7 v lithium digital camera battery and am considering using a powermonkey with a camm caddy. Does any one know if this will work or have any suggestions
Thanks

Although most portable/small solar power panels do work, they take a long time to charge an average smart-phone battery - given there's a decent amount of sun.

The only way to charge faster is to have more solar panel surface. To expect an empty camcorder battery to be full the next day is wishful thinking. One needs to start charging early in the day and it can easily take 2 days to get full.

It will never charge faster than the AC power adapter does, so it needs at least this amount of time in full sun.
With more angulation, smog, clouds the charging goes even slower. In the shade it does practically nothing.
The best performance is in the mountains, after rain (clears the dust) with lots of UV rays.

So it works better if the battery is not fully drained - use battery power very conservatively, charge early in the day and don't expect too much.

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