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Solar Power and Your PowerBook

As you may recall, we asked our readers about their solar power solutions for taking a PowerBook away from civilization. Of course, you all came through with many answers:

I know of a solar charger that seems to be for any powerbook. Wired magazine ran a little blurb on in in their July 1999 issue (p88).

"Solar Powerbook: The Professional solar charger plugs any PC or Mac laptop into the sun, giving a full repowering in four hours. Progessional solar laptop charger: $395. Madsonline Powerbook Accessories +1 (415) 339-8900, www.madsonline.com."

Looking at the Madsonline website does not show the charger, but perhaps a call or email to them will reveal more. [We found the link, here-Ed.]

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As far as I know just about any RV dealer could help. I know that one of the standard products for sale at any moterhome or trailer dealer are solar panels to keep the batteries charged up. They come in various sizes, and I think that now they even come soft. That means foldable.

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Here is a company, called Real Goods that specializes in Solar equipment. The first link goes to a Laptop Power Adapter, that allows a Powerbook user to hook into standard 12v solar generators. http://www.realgoods.com/shop/search.cfm.

Here is a link, within the same site to a possible solar generator.Total investment, under $250.00

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Not having a battery charger, and only going on the specs of the Pwr Supply for my Wall Street, the power requirements are 1875 mA at 24V, which is the same at 3750 mA at 12V. This is a good slice of power for a portable solar array.

There is a good selection of solar charging systems, but they are mainly designed to trickle charge 12V auto/marine lead acid batteries, and simple NiCads like AA batteries and low voltage cell phone batteries.

The best place to find an array large enough to provide 3.8A at 12V will be a RV store, such as Camping World. Be forewarned, however, that these arrays DO NOT provide the same filtering and regulation of the electricity that is provided by a 120/220V power supply. Fluctuations in both voltage and amperage can and will damage both computer and batteries.

If there is absolutely no power generation where you are going, I would continue to pursue the solar route. However, having been to some very remote places (backcountry of Africa, Canadian Arctic) there is always a need for electricity and a way that it is made. Also, consider your computing needs and how long each day you will need to use your computer. You may find that the best solution (in terms of ease, cost, and portability) may be to buy a few extra batteries.

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I found my self in a similar situation about five years ago, living out of a goat-hair tent in the middle of the desert. My solution is a bit dated, but worked fairly well for me. I bought a pb 540 (b/w screen) with six batteries, a battery-run external SCSI drive for backup hd from APS, and most importantly had a solar panel built for me. At the time, KISS made solar panels for notebooks, but as I recall they were pretty weak, taking a good 5 or 6 hours to charge one set of batteries. I found an electrical engineer (my brother) with a good knowledge of solar cells, and forced him to build me a solar panel. Unfortuantly, the panel was distroyed a few years ago, and neither I or my brother have the plan, however as I recall it was not too difficult, any electrical engineer should be able to do it. This whole set cost me a small fortune, but I don't really think there is any other way of going about it.

Five years later, things are marginally easier, but not much. I think the most important change is (other than more efficient power-consumption) the expansion-bay modules. I am using a Lombard at the moment, and would not recommend it for travel, its just too big. I am not familiar with the 1400, but if it is smaller, has TWO Li or NiMH batteries, and an expansion bay, sounds good. I would buy at least 4 batteries, and an expansion bay hd for backup (also press some cds with software images you use all the time). As for the solar panel (don't even bother with any other 'natural options', like wind-turbines), your guess is as good as mine. If you have an electrical engineer buddy you can kidnap for a day or two (if not try finding a few Masters student a local University, they go wild on these sorts of things...), do so, the result will be smaller and more efficient than any commercial solution. Another thing to think about before you head out is both security (try PGP and DiskLock) and repair. If you are going to be off the beaten track, you had better think of repair: dust, sand, humidity, and insects (yes, I had ants crawling in and out of my 540) are enemies of the pb. Most places in the world are dominated by windoze machines, and getting a Mac repaired in Aden, the mountains of PNG, or Mongolia is just about impossible. My mac didn't break down, but I know of others who were not so lucky. I am not suggesting that you go over to the 'dark side' but it is something to think about, it all depends on how long you want to spend there, and of course where 'there' is...

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I would reccommend a 2400 as it is small and uses little power. More importantly, it uses a Li-on battery which are much superior to the NiMh in the 1400. Then, for the solar panel, one wants a big fold out panel. These are available several places, just do a search on the net.

The problem with the 1400 idea is the NiMh, the general pokiness of the 1400, and the relatively expensive and inneficient bookcover solar panel. One might consider a 1400 w/ a big fold out panel though if it was cheaper than a 2400.

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www.igo.com or www.1800batteries.com both have the "Sun Catcher" solar power laptop power covers-sort of like a 3ring binder that zips shut-may not actually cover the laptop, but is compact. The pic in the catalogue actually shows a powerbook along side one.

Two levels-the Professional: $339 (MSRP) 14.4 watts , 13.5"x10.5", 37 oz. *compatible with notebooks, cellphones,portable printers,satellite phones & other rechargables, integrated padded case

The Expedition:$549 (MSRP) 24 watts, also compatible with above devices + portable TVs, CB radios, powered coolers, 14.5"x14.5", 49oz., integrated padded case.

No experience with either myself, but would love to have one. Imagine sitting on the "Mall" in DC with one of these and a Ricochet 2 on a sunny spring day... I sill have this site bookmarked, from the days I owned a Powerbook 1400. They use to carry the solar cover. Not currently selling them, buy might have link/information there. Just a thought.

http://www.bookwares.com/.