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| Brunton 26 Watt Foldable Solar Array | 
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| Brand: Brunton
Category: Sports
List Price: $619.99
Buy New: $301.08
You Save: $318.91 (51%)
Buy New/Used from $301.08
Avg. Customer Rating:  (10 reviews)
Sales Rank: 1626
Color: Silver/ Black
Media: Sports
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.8
Dimensions (in): 0 x 0 x 0
MPN: F-SOLARIS26
Model: F-SOLARIS26
UPC: 080078005640
EAN: 0080078005640
ASIN: B000GEFFBO
Release Date: June 21, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Foldable 26-watt solar panel folds up and stores in portable sack | | • | Instinctively converts sunlight into electrical current even in low light | | • | Ideal for charging laptops and digital cameras or running cell and satellite phones | | • | High-performance CIGS solar cells are ultra-efficient; reverse flow protection | | • | Measures 11 x 8.5 x 1 inches (W x H x D) when folded and weighs 28 ounces; one-year warranty |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The next generation of Solaris foldable solar technology is here. CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide) is the most efficient thin film solar technology available. By maximizing performance while optimizing portability, it makes the Solaris 26 the most compact high output model available.
Amazon.com Product Description
Representing the next generation of solar panel technology, the Solaris 26 maximizes performance while taking up virtually no space at all. The unit's multi-section design folds up into a compact footprint that's just a bit larger than a DVD case, while still delivering an impressive 26 watts of power, more than enough to charge a laptop or digital video camera or power a satellite or cell phone. In addition, the unit's high-performance CIGS solar cells--the most efficient thin-film solar technology available--are extremely reliable, with a design that instinctively converts incident sunlight into an electrical current, even in low-light conditions. The combined functions make this an ideal panel for camping trips, hikes, power outages, and other occasions when it helps to have a portable power source on hand. The Solaris 26, which measures 21.5 by 37.5 inches when open and 11 by 8.5 inches when folded, includes a battery clamp cable for charging car batteries, along with vehicle outlet and multi-linking cables. It's also backed by a one-year warranty. What's in the Box?
Solaris 26 foldable solar panel, vehicle outlet cable, multi-linking cable, battery clamp cable, storage sack, user's manual.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 Good panel with one problem (3rd Update added pictures) October 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I like this panel, I like it a lot. Right now I use it to charge a all of my electronics. It folds up nicely, and doesn't weigh much. I agree with the other posters on the positive things about these panels.
These panels as individuals (not linked) are serving me and my teams very well in Iraq. We use them to power everything from MP3 Players and cell phones to advanced GPS tracking systems.
There's only one problem I have, and that is linking more than two panels together. The instructions and box say it can be done, and the box says it includes a linking cable, but there is nothing that says how. You are supposedly able to link up to three panels together, but I am unable to accomplish this no matter how I configure the cables. I've written directly to Brunton's service department for guidance, but after a month I've only gotten the read receipts from them. No answer so far. No one on any blog or forum can tell me how this is done. They are expensive, so finding someone that has bought more than one is rare.
All three panels came with the exact same cables, so I don't think I'm missing anything. There are two connection ports on each panel (it will charge two small items at the same time). As far as cables go you get one with clamps (like the kind that connects to a car battery), one female car cigarette lighter-style outlet, and another cable that has four adapters on one end and a single adapter (for plugging into the panel) on the other.
You have to use the four-ended cable to link panels. The problem is that when you plug the end with four ends into a panel there is no more room to plug in another cable. The two prongs sticking out of the sides prevent this.
Anyone with one panel could see what I mean. Try plugging both ends of your linking cable into your one panel, as would be the case on the middle panel in a series of three. Then consider how you would link three of them together.
I would love to hear from anyone that has accomplished linking more than two of these together.
Linking them together would allow us to power (real time) our field laptops and mini-satellites, we could even recharge our military satcom radio batteries. Unfortunately this isn't the case yet.
The panel is excellent and I like it a lot. I gave it a three star rating because it claims to be able to do something that it cannot (link three panels). The instructions are also lacking in this area. Brunton's customer service also leaves something to be desired, which should be your only negative consideration if you're buying only one.
Update:
I finally got a reply from Brunton concerning linking the panels. Here it is:
"To your question... The four-pronged linking cable can make the
connection between panels a bit tight. Admittedly, the design isn't the
best, but I've got three of our 26s here, hooked them up, and read
increased amperage. On the panels where you're forced to use both the
single and multi-tipped wire, I've found it's best to turn the four-tip
plug perpendicular to the flat ground, making it easier to fit the
single wire. I'll be the first to say it isn't pretty. It creates a
slight fold in the panel, and doesn't allow it to sit completely flat,
but it does make the connection, and since there's no solar receiver
over the output, it doesn't affect the efficiency.
As I said, the multi-prong cord isn't the best design. It's something
I'm trying to get them to change in the development department. Keep in
mind that hooking multiple panels together doesn't increase the total
voltage coming out of your last panel, but rather simply increases the
amperage. "
Update * Click on "See customer Image" underneath the main product pic to see what this looks like *
So I broke out my panels and gave it a try. Yes, by bending the panel you can make the two fit. This causes me some real problems. My initial intent was to take some cord and tie the panels down (using the nicely grommeted holes in each corner). I can't do this because the corner that's bent can't be tied down tightly. When I pull on the corner that's bent down (see pic), you can hear the plastic under strain. The four prong outlet tries to straighten out with no where to go, when you do this. I wouldn't want to tie the panel down tightly for fear of breaking something.
The answer to this of course is to make your own single male-male cable. In the rest of the email the service rep offered to send me some cables and cords that I could splice together.
One other thing I noticed is that the female cigarette outlet is completely smooth on the inside, there are no ridges or insets. Any male connector you insert into it will not "lock" into place. There is some resistance that will keep it from just falling out, but it doesn't take much to come loose. I don't think this would be a problem if the panel were laying flat. I imagine that if it were hung up the weight of some cables could cause it to come out. I've had no problems at all with powering any device using this outlet.
Update: * Added another image showing the hook up to an EEE ASUS*
I also own an Asus Eee PC 900 16G. One of the prongs on the four ended cable will fit directly into the laptop. It being such a small laptop the panel WILL run it real time while charging the battery (just like it was plugged into the wall).
According to Brunton the panel kicks out 26 Watts, and says it's at 12 Volts. This means that
12 Volts X 2.2 Amps = 26 Watts
(i'm rounding slightly up on the Amps)
The EEE ASUS Power pack says it has an output of :
12 Volts X 3 Amps = 36Watts
There's obviously a little play in here, but the Brunton panel is using the same Volts at less amps, so it's safe to plug it into your EEE PC. In testing this personally it did in fact run the laptop real time and charge the battery at the same time.
I would raise my review to four stars (I can't modify it), because the panel does do what it says it will do, but it has a design flaw that makes it hard to deal with.
 Very good product, exceeded expectations... October 27, 2008
I am a ham radio operator and I have been operating Picnic Table Portable all summer long from a city park in the middle of Chicago. I have added the Brunton 26 watt solar panel to my portable station and it has been a tremendous asset. It folds up into the size of a sheet of paper, and in full sun I am able to get about 1.65 amps out of it. Even in partly cloudy and ambient light it can produce enough power to keep my 9aH gel cell battery topped off while I operate.
See pictures of my setup at http://www.kg9e.net
[...]
This weekend we had wind gusts of 50MPH. I was operating portable again, and had the solar panel bungee corded down and it withstood the wind very well. Before I set up, I measured the 9aH gel cell battery voltage across the terminals it read 12.42v (about 75% charged). After operating for about 3 hours in cloudless skies while having the solar panel attached, I measured the voltage across the terminals and it read 12.9v (easily 100% charged). I've been able to stay on the air for about 12 hours, drawing a maximum of 7.5 amps from the battery. 8 hours during the day, and 4 hours after sunset. It makes a big difference in the amount of time I can stay on the air with a single battery.
This is one durable and fun solar panel. It has been the subject of much curiosity and an invaluable to my portable/disaster communication radio station.
[..]
Superior Product. Way beyond my expectations October 12, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
When our Bruton solaris 26 was delivered I could not wait to test it. I purchased this thinking at best it would keep a few items charged for me while camping.
I was amazed at our test results.
All batteries (on every item we tested), we 100% fully discharged. Absolutely drained! When we plugged them into the Solaris I could not believe it not only charged them, but it operated them as well as soon as we plugged them in! Even a Sony PSP!
(some of the tests included a radio and a GPS unit).
I did not test our laptop since I need either an invertor (it's on the way), or a DC plug for it (which I don't have at this point)..... but I would be willing to bet it would definately extend the life of a laptop while you operated it.
Don't even 'think' about buying this product, just buy it now! I cannot wait to link 2 of them together and see what kind of power it will provide.
Highly recommended. (Ok, I just cannot say it enough)
Safari Power October 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a GREAT product. Took it to Kenya for a photo-safari. We tied it to the top of the Land Cruiser and with an Impact universal charger was able to charge all of my batteries and most of the others' in the group. Could have sold several over the course of three weeks.
 works very well, lightweight July 31, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I live off-grid, and have been researching solar chargers for two years...it works perfectly for iPods, handheld games (we only have the Nintendo DS), cell phones, and battery chargers (AAA and AA)...i hope to use it with my mac laptop, but cannot find a car/lighter type charger (am still looking!)...it also works well even with long term haze or some clouding...if interested, I recommend to put this item in your shopping cart and watch the prices, i've seen it from $299 to well over $400, so unless you need it asap, you can buy it when the price falls.
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