Solar MacBook

More detailed information on providing solar power to laptops is here...
http://www.modernoutpost.com/gear/app_power_laptop.html

UPDATE: The Voltaic Generator battery pack used in this video is currently undergoing an upgrade, and is therefore unavailable. Other battery packs can do the same job, so please view this video as a general how-to in terms of the components needed, and how they are used together.

Putting together a solar powered MacBook is easy when you have the right parts. This video shows how to build a solar power system for a laptop computer... namely a MacBook with MagSafe power connector.

Equipment used includes...
PowerFilm rollable solar panel
Voltaic Generator multi-voltage lithium battery pack
Solar panel input cable for the Voltaic, and MagSafe connector for the Output of the Voltaic.
The Voltaic Generator battery pack was set to its 12-20V range, and it auto-selects the voltage within this range that supports charge flowing to the load (ie MacBook).

For complete information on creating a portable solar power system for your electronics, including digital cameras, camcorders, laptops, iPods, satellite phones, AA batteries, and more, the place to go is Modern Outpost.

http://www.modernoutpost.com
Thanks for watching!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• solar
• macbook
• apple
• laptop
• portable
• powerfilm
• voltaic
• generator
• power
• panel

[moeisme67]

UPDATE: Voltaic systems is in the process of redesigning this battery pack to enable it to charge more efficiently from solar.

Tekkeon has released a new solar input adaptor for their myPower All 3450 series batteries, so they are currently our leading recommended battery for connecting laptops to solar panels. The Tekkeon connects essentially the same way as shown here. Demonstration videos will be posted in the coming days.

[moeisme67]

@IringB

No (if I understand your question). This is a completely DC system. All batteries & laptops are DC, and so the job of a wall wart is to convert 120v AC power down to the DC voltage appropriate for a particular computer. In this case, the battery is designed to supply the correct voltage. The MagSafe connector is an option for the battery pack, and now I stock them for use with other laptop chargers (must have a particular centre-pin barrel to fit).

I hope I answered your question.

[moeisme67]

@marcoboru

The upper range of this particular battery pack is 12-20v. It starts at 12v and increases until charge flows (ie auto-select). For the MacBook it would stop at 15-17v which is the appropriate range for the MacBook. The current would be dependent on what the computer is demanding, and what the battery pack is able to supply. The max output of most battery packs of this size is 20-30 watts, so I always find it best to charge the laptop when it is 'OFF'. MagSafe was a battery option.

[marcoboru]

What voltage and current did you set the battery to? where did you get the adapter?

[IringB]

did you convert the macbook cable to connect to the the solar power supply?