Droid Solar charger?

[Majortrauma]

Anyone found a solar charger that will charge a droid, specifically a Droid Razr? I have a solar monkey adventurer, tried numerous cables etc over a wide variety of situations to include fully charging the solar charger via house power and then connecting to my droid and still no charge. I bought it from REI so I can take it back...I think. Powertraveller rep told me that it "does" recharge droids but that is definitley not what I'm experiencing.
Thanks
John

[Maui Rhino]

Most solar panels don't maintain a consistent enough flow of electricity for charging cell phones. It's much better to use the solar panel to charge a battery, which in turn, is used to charge your phone.

[SawnieRobertson]

Most solar panels don't maintain a consistent enough flow of electricity for charging cell phones. It's much better to use the solar panel to charge a battery, which in turn, is used to charge your phone.

Oh, my. I need a step-by-step written guide to do that. Step One: Have a Droid. After that, what?

[kayak karl]

exterior batteries (http://www.newtrent.com/)

[Wise Old Owl]

Most solar panels don't maintain a consistent enough flow of electricity for charging cell phones. It's much better to use the solar panel to charge a battery, which in turn, is used to charge your phone.


Correct - however the droid razor presents additional difficulties as it checks flow and looks for a resistor bridge amongst the four pins to prevent using knock off chargers. So if the data pins are not shorted and the values on the other wires do not present the right votages and resistance - all Motorola phones don't charge - they reject it or charge very slowly, based on the decision of the circuit. I dumped my droid and have moved on to the waterproof Samsung Rugby. Now I can charge faster with homemade panels at 12 ounces directly. The I phone flashes a warning that its a unapproved device. The Motorola - needs an app or a inline meter in order to see how well its charging.

I have decided not to produce a product at this time as I was hoping to get it down to 7 ounces.

[Peakhunter]

If you have to have it this is the way to go, my local outfitter turned me on to this as soon as it arrived. The Bushnell Solarwrap mini, they have other sizes too! you just need to find a usb adapter that fits your phone.

[Wise Old Owl]

The Bushnell is a nice concept - and I can see some of the reviews are good and a few are bad and I can only guess its the droids that are still in a trickle charge mode with the panel- Flex film solar is not the best and has trade offs - you need twice as much area at a light weight to get where the hard panels are today. Another issue with the reviews is trying to connect a large tablet or hungry I phone to a small panel there is a huge reason why I phone is shipped with a 1 amp charger - you need a 1-2 amp solar panel to do the same service. That is what I am currently working with. The only way around this is to use a panel and Anker or similar battery product. With the new Samsung Rugby I was amazed I had to upgrade my power for the Anker... The wife is loving the old one.

[Wise Old Owl]

I have just discovered the Samsung also rejects direct connection to the solar panels I have put together.

I don't really have time to fix and order the individual resistors myself so I ordered this USB Condom and I am sure it will solve your problem

You need this first!

http://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-Fast-Charge-Blackberry-Charging/dp/B00GC4AJOU/ref=wl_mb_wl_huc_mrai_1_dp

I have this....

http://www.amazon.com/Centech-USB-Power-Meter/dp/B00DAR4ITE/ref=sr_1_fkmr3_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1405272705&sr=1-1-fkmr3&keywords=century+usb+amp+meter

You might need this instead. If you choose this - you do not need the above meter.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GHME0RE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2MX5DMJ7EX32P&coliid=I1OJ0ZBCEHYDRX&psc=1

I have this stuffed in the wish list just in case.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E3OL5U8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2MX5DMJ7EX32P&coliid=I3IQDJ9U1HRTRD&psc=1

[Majortrauma]

http://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-Fast-..._huc_mrai_1_dp (http://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-Fast-Charge-Blackberry-Charging/dp/B00GC4AJOU/ref=wl_mb_wl_huc_mrai_1_dp) I'm going to try this before I take my solar charger back to REI. Thanks for all the input, especially WOW.

[rocketsocks]

http://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-Fast-..._huc_mrai_1_dp (http://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-Fast-Charge-Blackberry-Charging/dp/B00GC4AJOU/ref=wl_mb_wl_huc_mrai_1_dp) I'm going to try this before I take my solar charger back to REI. Thanks for all the input, especially WOW.
Well now that is interesting, didn't know they made those, I use a high output AC charger for my "Anker" battery, 1.5 to 2ampers per hour. Pretty fast. Thanks for postin' Major.

[lzeplin]

I have a goal zero nomad 7, that will change my samsaung smart phone direct. I can also tie the solar charger on my pack, I bought a combo that included a guide plus ten, which will hold four double aa's or triple aaa batteries and it can be used to charge my phone when there's no sun or at night.. It also recharges off the solar panel. I love it cause I've always got extra rechargeable batteries for head lamps and other items.. check out goal zeros products.

[bentob0x]

Don't know if anyone's heard of WakaWaka, but I'm a big fan. I have a WakaWaka power and i can't imagine camping without it now. Such a life saver. I can charge my droid AND it also serves as a flashlight. Plus it's super lightweight and small. In case anyones interested: https://us.waka-waka.com/store/catalogue/wakawaka-power_17/

[Dholmblad]

Why do you need a charger on the phone? If its only used for emergencies just keep the thing turned off?

[Ktaadn]

Guessing this was SPAM?

[bentob0x]

Why do you need a charger on the phone? If its only used for emergencies just keep the thing turned off?

I like to bring my phone with me on trips because I can take pictures with it (and it's a lot lighter than a digital camera) and it's good to have in case I really need to call someone (emergency situations). Idk, I just don't like being without it because I feel like I could get lost or die and no one would know.