Just perusing Ebuyer and came across this gem. Reviews seem decent, worth a punt at £5.99.
Showing as Free Delivery for me.
Info From Ebuyer:
We've all been there (or at least some of us have). On top of a mountain, deep in the woods or by a spectacular waterfall. We want to take a selfie or ring our friends to boast about our achievements, only to find our phone is dead. Crisis! What do we do? We need to capture the moment.
Relax. It's not a problem, at least it isn't if you have one of these handy Xenta solar chargers strapped to your backpack. Just plug your phone, or other compatible device, into the USB port attached to the back of the panel and use the sun to recharge your battery. Simples.
Using the Backpack solar panel
It's pretty easy. Set the panel up to catch some rays when you stop on your hike, hang it on a tent pole or attach it to your backpack. Once the solar panel captures the sun it will turn the rays into energy that you can harness by plugging your device into the panels USB port (cable not included). Under ideal conditions the panel can provide around one Amp of power.
At 19.6 x 29.3cm the panel is slightly smaller than an A4 sheet of paper, very light and easy to carry around. There is a hanging loop for added convenience.
Technically speaking
The Xenta solar panel is a 5 watt mono crystalline panel with a USB output port producing 5V/1A.
Features
USB port
Lightweight design
Mesh cover with zip to rear
Secure straps to hold phone
Works with any USB enabled device
Top comments
CrazyBob
23 Sep 1611#12
It is becoming a real problem on Amazon.
Getting difficult to find real unbiased reviews.
These 'paid for' reviews are mostly positive and generally don't offer anything of substance.
I ignore them and won't buy a product unless there is a good number of genuine reviews.
I hope Amazon take action on this.
bojangles
23 Sep 166#15
agreed - I tried it, but couldn't be bothered as I was mostly getting junk. Yet people still leaving 5 stars. Its something Amazon need to stop.
Not according to the ultimate source of truth and light (Wikipedia):
"For actual sunlight, where only 45% of the light is in the photosynthetically active wavelength range, the theoretical maximum efficiency of solar energy conversion is approximately 11%. In actuality, however, plants do not absorb all incoming sunlight (due to reflection, respiration requirements of photosynthesis and the need for optimal solar radiation levels) and do not convert all harvested energy into biomass, which results in an overall photosynthetic efficiency of 3 to 6% of total solar radiation."
Been reviewing amazon items in return for discounts lately, got a 16w and a 52w portable panel now plus a static 100w for the caravan I have yet to install. The 16w was happily charging an iproduct when in full sunshine, dunno what it was but a large recent phone. They really have come on recently.
leeparsons to tek-monkey
23 Sep 161#9
How does that work then?
freakstyler
22 Sep 16#4
Really, for 12v batteries a 20w panel would be the absolute minimum I would recommend and that's just for maintaining a charged battery, not charging up a completely dead one.
A 20w Mono or Poly Crystalline panel with a cheap LCD charge controller would be better value and more effective than the briefcase.
flang
22 Sep 162#5
Na mate I have a 5w panel at the mo and it tops up the battery enough on our camping trips to last a good week. We run led lights and charge 2 phones over night so nothing to draining but 5w is enough to restore the lost voltage. Id agree though that if your powering invertors or fully draining the bsttery daily then 20w+ would def be needed!
ohdearohdear
22 Sep 164#6
Cold, no sun in the UK
dergal to ohdearohdear
22 Sep 161#7
There's enough.
leeparsons to ohdearohdear
23 Sep 161#10
he lives up north you see
Youngsyr to ohdearohdear
23 Sep 162#17
Funny how the grass and trees still grow, though - right?
wansheet to ohdearohdear
23 Sep 16#39
A new kickstarter project. A rain powered generator panel would be revolutionary concept.
leeparsons
23 Sep 16#8
But you can get three of the panels, for a little bit more. and be 2 watts more in power.
I actually already purchased some of these. I have just got another 4. Forgo to post, so you beat me to it.
leeparsons
23 Sep 161#11
Anyway you can daisy change them together, with a power splutter. Thus combine the power
3guesses to leeparsons
23 Sep 16#27
That sounds interesting - can you provide a few more details?
CrazyBob
23 Sep 1611#12
It is becoming a real problem on Amazon.
Getting difficult to find real unbiased reviews.
These 'paid for' reviews are mostly positive and generally don't offer anything of substance.
I ignore them and won't buy a product unless there is a good number of genuine reviews.
I hope Amazon take action on this.
Firefox21
23 Sep 162#13
Charged overnight?
tek-monkey
23 Sep 164#14
Oh they get honest ones off me, left several low ones lately. Oddly though amazon regularly refuse to publish my low reviews and ask me to rewrite them, whereas I've never had a 4 or 5 star review denied. This week I had a review of a webcam refused 3 times for no reason, you just get a generic email. I upped it to 2 stars and it went through!
bojangles
23 Sep 166#15
agreed - I tried it, but couldn't be bothered as I was mostly getting junk. Yet people still leaving 5 stars. Its something Amazon need to stop.
tece69
23 Sep 16#16
£13.97 vat & delivery no heat
AlanClarke to tece69
23 Sep 16#22
You can change the dropdown box to free delivery and it already includes VAT in the price.
jasee
23 Sep 16#18
Because they are much more than (about) 20% efficient
Youngsyr
23 Sep 164#19
Not according to the ultimate source of truth and light (Wikipedia):
"For actual sunlight, where only 45% of the light is in the photosynthetically active wavelength range, the theoretical maximum efficiency of solar energy conversion is approximately 11%. In actuality, however, plants do not absorb all incoming sunlight (due to reflection, respiration requirements of photosynthesis and the need for optimal solar radiation levels) and do not convert all harvested energy into biomass, which results in an overall photosynthetic efficiency of 3 to 6% of total solar radiation."
tek-monkey
23 Sep 16#20
The one I use you request items you actually want, then they decide if they want to give them to you. No point requesting something that isn't useful, but I've sorted out quite a few nice additions to my camping gear very cheaply through them.
aj2001
23 Sep 16#21
Great item I think, usb fan in the sun a lot more uses too.
I want to know more on how to go about writting reviews and is it just amazon or ebuyer or other do this as well.
Heated btw
M1sterDeeds
23 Sep 16#23
How does it fit onto a backpack?
enjoy_mush to M1sterDeeds
23 Sep 16#31
Bumb, id like to know this aswell.
David23
23 Sep 16#24
Gosh I paid so much more for a similar sized panel 10 years ago. Solar has become pretty cheap. I never managed to get it to charge a phone properly, does like 1% an hour in good UK sun which is pointless.
g_p_t
23 Sep 16#25
ordered 2 just for a laugh !!
Waldolf
23 Sep 163#26
Ordered 500 for the roof :man:
LaTigra
23 Sep 16#28
could i use this for a greenhouse extractor fan without having to buy anything else?
Badgerparade
23 Sep 16#29
Nice one. Ordered.
_g_
23 Sep 16#30
£1.20 a watt delivered not bad for a low wattage panel.
So, in bright sunlight should charge a phone at around 1A, which is respectable.
Good for festivals - maybe to charge a shared powerbank, which you can then use to charge your phone overignight.
Though, whether you'd be better to just buy a bigger power bank is another matter :smiley:.
leeparsons
23 Sep 16#32
you would need a y cable 1 male 2 fenale. Its out in the sub now, as i purchased 4of these when they was last on offer. Jyst draw your self a duagram of say 4 oanels you need to connect 2 panels with 1 y cable and the sane for other. 2 panels. Then connect the join those joint pabels togethere with another y cable
jut1972
23 Sep 16#33
Australian
Hardawan
23 Sep 16#34
just bought it thank you,
one question I have please how long do you have to leave it in the sun to be able to charge a smart mobile phone, or does it charge as it's getting connected to the mobile when there is sun
tomwenn to Hardawan
23 Sep 16#38
I don't think it holds a charge, I think it just transfers the power directly. I may be wrong though.
bigjeremy
23 Sep 16#35
Cant help noticing their stock levels dont seem to be dropping even though i brought 2 for camping next year, hope we all get one or two
freakstyler to bigjeremy
23 Sep 161#36
When I ordered last night they they had around 155 units in stock, seems to be sub 30 now.
tomwenn
23 Sep 16#37
Nice one, went for that as well.
Gordinho
23 Sep 161#40
Money for old rope this copywriting lark, you're at the top of a mountain and of all the things that could be called a crisis I don't regard not being able to take a selfie as one of them. Someone needs a slap. :smirk:
poisondwarf
23 Sep 16#41
All good points.
spannerzone
23 Sep 161#42
which proves the point, you can't believe the reviews from those that get the items for free/discounted if Amazon are rejecting low star reviews.
dergal
23 Sep 16#43
I've noticed the reviews in exchange are substantially more positive and often positively gushing in comparison to other reviews of the same product.
OOS, but if you only want to charge a mobile, you can make your own out of 4 or more solar panels taken off oldpoundshop garden lights Wire the panels together in parallel and place inside a plastic folder A4. You then just need to connect 2 wires to a plug of your choice that fits your mobile . Again pound shop accessories if the plug fits just cut the wires and join to your diy solar panels.
tek-monkey
24 Sep 16#46
The main issue I see is that amazon bundles all sellers together, so you must only mention the item itself. You can leave the seller bad feedback but nobody ready that, and when in my case the item had the wrong manual and no software I had every review cancelled I presume because it might have just been from that seller? Added a star and it went through though.
Skybird
24 Sep 162#47
Ordered mine on Thursday and arrived today (with free delivery) and tested it out this morning. 5.25volts at 1.15A so actually output of 6watts on a sunny Sept morning.
leeparsons to Skybird
25 Sep 16#48
How did you test it then? I know you can get those usb amp meters, but they dont give you all those stats
3guesses
25 Sep 16#49
Ah "splutter" = splitter!
leeparsons
25 Sep 16#50
Well done for correcting me on that. You do realise that u an i are next door to one another. I couldn't assed to change it, and thought which sad spelling police addict, with make a pointless comment. Looks like you won the prise.
3guesses
26 Sep 16#51
Ooh, a bit touchy there. I genuinely thought a "splutter" was some sort of new electronic gizmo, I didn't realise it was simply a typo until your explanatory reply.
Feel free to over-react to this post too...
daskapital
29 Sep 16#52
expired :disappointed:
'Xenta 5W Back Pack Solar Panel' is discontinued; here are some similar products'
£16 on amazon though which is still not too bad.
freakstyler
29 Sep 16#53
One of the two we ordered was delivered this afternoon, managed to get a charge current of around half an amp between 2:30 and 4:30pm - nearly fully charged Moto E. More than impressed with this.
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Opening post
Showing as Free Delivery for me.
Info From Ebuyer:
We've all been there (or at least some of us have). On top of a mountain, deep in the woods or by a spectacular waterfall. We want to take a selfie or ring our friends to boast about our achievements, only to find our phone is dead. Crisis! What do we do? We need to capture the moment.
Relax. It's not a problem, at least it isn't if you have one of these handy Xenta solar chargers strapped to your backpack. Just plug your phone, or other compatible device, into the USB port attached to the back of the panel and use the sun to recharge your battery. Simples.
Using the Backpack solar panel
It's pretty easy. Set the panel up to catch some rays when you stop on your hike, hang it on a tent pole or attach it to your backpack. Once the solar panel captures the sun it will turn the rays into energy that you can harness by plugging your device into the panels USB port (cable not included). Under ideal conditions the panel can provide around one Amp of power.
At 19.6 x 29.3cm the panel is slightly smaller than an A4 sheet of paper, very light and easy to carry around. There is a hanging loop for added convenience.
Technically speaking
The Xenta solar panel is a 5 watt mono crystalline panel with a USB output port producing 5V/1A.
Features
USB port
Lightweight design
Mesh cover with zip to rear
Secure straps to hold phone
Works with any USB enabled device
Top comments
Getting difficult to find real unbiased reviews.
These 'paid for' reviews are mostly positive and generally don't offer anything of substance.
I ignore them and won't buy a product unless there is a good number of genuine reviews.
I hope Amazon take action on this.
http://www.ebuyer.com/675942-xenta-13w-briefcase-solar-charger-e13wby
you tube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnFQcSpEqzs
"For actual sunlight, where only 45% of the light is in the photosynthetically active wavelength range, the theoretical maximum efficiency of solar energy conversion is approximately 11%. In actuality, however, plants do not absorb all incoming sunlight (due to reflection, respiration requirements of photosynthesis and the need for optimal solar radiation levels) and do not convert all harvested energy into biomass, which results in an overall photosynthetic efficiency of 3 to 6% of total solar radiation."
All comments (53)
http://www.ebuyer.com/675942-xenta-13w-briefcase-solar-charger-e13wby
you tube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnFQcSpEqzs
A 20w Mono or Poly Crystalline panel with a cheap LCD charge controller would be better value and more effective than the briefcase.
I actually already purchased some of these. I have just got another 4. Forgo to post, so you beat me to it.
Getting difficult to find real unbiased reviews.
These 'paid for' reviews are mostly positive and generally don't offer anything of substance.
I ignore them and won't buy a product unless there is a good number of genuine reviews.
I hope Amazon take action on this.
"For actual sunlight, where only 45% of the light is in the photosynthetically active wavelength range, the theoretical maximum efficiency of solar energy conversion is approximately 11%. In actuality, however, plants do not absorb all incoming sunlight (due to reflection, respiration requirements of photosynthesis and the need for optimal solar radiation levels) and do not convert all harvested energy into biomass, which results in an overall photosynthetic efficiency of 3 to 6% of total solar radiation."
I want to know more on how to go about writting reviews and is it just amazon or ebuyer or other do this as well.
Heated btw
So, in bright sunlight should charge a phone at around 1A, which is respectable.
Good for festivals - maybe to charge a shared powerbank, which you can then use to charge your phone overignight.
Though, whether you'd be better to just buy a bigger power bank is another matter :smiley:.
one question I have please how long do you have to leave it in the sun to be able to charge a smart mobile phone, or does it charge as it's getting connected to the mobile when there is sun
Feel free to over-react to this post too...
'Xenta 5W Back Pack Solar Panel' is discontinued; here are some similar products'
£16 on amazon though which is still not too bad.