How do you get the best charging results?
Will the Voltaic bag charge iPods?
Can I charge a device that is on the shoulder strap or in another pocket of the bag?
What should I do if the battery pack is flat and I need to charge something?
My device isn't charging, what should I do?
What if I need to charge a device and the sun has set?
What do these bags charge?
The Backpack, Converter and Messenger charge almost any handheld electronics including most cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, satellite phones, small cameras and GPS systems. If you need to charge a laptop or DSLR with 7.2V battery, see the Generator
Why do the bags include a battery?
The battery stores power so you can even charge your devices inside or outside when the sun is not shining. You can charge the battery from the sun, the USB charging cable or the optional wall or DC car charger.
Will I make it through Airport Security?
Most Likely. The Voltaic team and our customers have been through many security checkpoints. While we get interested looks and comments, we have never been blocked. We have had one customer in the history of Voltaic who did get stopped so if you are worried, you can ship the bag.
What will happen if the bag gets wet?
The solar panels are waterproof and so will not be affected. The recycled PET used to construct the bag is also waterproof. However, water will eventually seep in through the zips and seams, so the contents can get wet. The only electrical component likely to be adversely affected is the battery pack, which you should treat as you would any other electronic device and keep it dry.
What care do the panels require?
Scratches on the face of the solar panels will reduce the amount of light hitting the solar cells and reduce the power generated, so it is best to avoid scratching them. The panels are coated with a material that will actually melt away some scratches when exposed to the sun.
Dirt on the panels has a similar effect. To clean them use a damp non-abrasive cloth.
Are the solar panels breakable?
They can be broken, but are unlikely to be damaged in typical use. They can easily stand up to being dropped and leaned on.
If you were to place the panel over a rock and stand on it you would cause the cells to crack, which would reduce the output of that panel. Since the three panels operate independently the other two would continue to provide sufficient charge to run most small devices, but charge times would increase.
What difference does this product make environmentally?
Solar power is obviously an environmentally friendly way to produce electricity. However to be fair, the total amount of power generated is a relatively small portion of typical every day consumption. Turning down your air conditioner in summer and reducing the thermostat in winter will probably have a greater impact.
However there are other benefits. This product should lead to less disposable AA batteries being used in emergency chargers and other devices (they produce way too much waste for a very small amount of electricity), and less discarded batteries finding their way into the wilderness.
It should also raise awareness of the advantages of solar power. A power generator that is tough, portable, runs on sunshine, and lightweight (the panels and battery pack weigh less than one pound) is illustrative of these advantages.
What does the LED in the logo indicate?
When the LED inside the logo lights up, it indicates that the solar panels are generating a charge. However, you should always look at the battery directly to see if the panels are producing enough power to charge the battery.
How long does it take to charge a device?
If the battery pack is already full, a typical cell phone will charge in about the same time it takes using a car charger (roughly 2 hours, although it varies by phone). The ideal way to use this product is to keep the battery pack charged, so that the charge is available when needed.
The actual time in the sun required to fully charge a typical cell phone is 4-6 hours. This will increase in cloudy weather, or if the panels are not angled towards the sun. The following table shows the typical time in the sun required to charge different devices. These are estimates and will vary based on the battery power of those devices.
| Approximate Charging Times | |
| Item | Hours Direct Sunlight * |
| Voltaic Battery Pack | 8-10 |
| Cell Phone | 4-6 |
| Digital Camera | 4-8 |
| GPS | 4-6 |
| iPod | 5-6 |
| * Charge times may be increased in cloudy weather, high temperatures, or where panels are not angled towards the sun. | |
How do you get the best charging results?
For maximum power output, face the panels towards the sun. If the panels are in direct sunlight but not angled towards the sun the power declines by about 20%. When they are angled away from the sun the power drops off by up to 90%.
Will the Voltaic bag charge iPods and iPhones?
Yes.Most models will charge using the Apple supplied USB charging cable which connects to the battery
pack via the included USB socket or the optional iPod adapter.
Can I charge a device that is on the shoulder strap or in another pocket of the bag?
Yes. On the Backpack, there is a wire that runs from the shoulder strap near the phone / MP3 pouch, through the bag to the battery pack. Just plug this wire into the "USB Out" wire and connect the "USB Out" to the battery to receive power.
There are also wire holes throughout the bag to run wires, so you can channel the power out cable from the battery pack through these wire holes to the main pouch or to the right side pocket.
What should I do if the battery pack is flat and I need to charge something?
As soon as the battery pack receives a charge (from either the solar panels, the AC charger, or the car charger) you can begin to charge your device.
When using solar power, it is more efficient to let the battery pack partially charge (to two lights on the charge indicator) before plugging in the device. However, if you have both a flat phone battery and a flat battery pack, you should be able to plug in your phone, angle the bag towards the sun, turn on the battery and make a call.
My device isn't charging, what should I do?
First see the basic instructions below. If the device does not charge even though the battery pack is charged, you have the correct adapter, and the voltage setting is that required for the device, then the device is likely designed to only work with a manufacturer supplied charger, or at a very specific voltage.
In this case the best thing to do is use a manufacturer supplied USB charger and plug it into the battery. Please also feel free to contact us at support@voltaicsystems.com
What if I need to charge a device and the sun has set or I am inside?
This is part of the reason we included a battery in the Voltaic bags. The battery stores energy generated by
the solar panelsuntil you need it, and will hold a charge for months.So even whenyou can't get access to the
sun, you can plug a device into the battery pack and charge from that.
The battery can also be
recharged using the included AC travel charger and the DC car charger, so you can use whatever power sources
are available to keep the battery topped up.
How do I know if the adapters will fit my device?
The adapters included with the Voltaic bag, and many of the devices they willcharge, are listed on the adapters page. However, these adapters may fit additional devices (particularly the universal adapters). We have included photos and specifications for each adapter to help you to determine whether they are likely to suit your device.
Where can I purchase an extra adapter?
Please see the adapters page.
What can I do if I don't have the adapter for my device?
The car charger for your device is the easiest solution; it will have the correct plug and adjust the voltage to that required by the device. The car charger can be plugged into the battery pack at 7.2V using the car charger socket inside the front pocket of the bag. For larger devices the car charger socket can also be attached directly to the solar panels which produce 10V @ 400mA.
We also supply a USB adaptor with the bag, which can be used with most standard USB chargers. Just attach this adaptor to the battery pack at 5V.
How do the universal adapter plugs work?
These adapters are standard sizes designed to fit many different devices. A device will typically
have the required voltage marked beside the DC power in plug. Be sure to check the voltage
setting on the battery pack before connecting to a device.
Most devices will also
indicate the polarity beside the DC in plug with the following symbol:
. The polarity of the universal adapters is center positive,
which is indicatedby this symbol.Almost all consumer electronics are made center positive,
but youshould double check before charging and do not connect the device if it indicates the
center pin is negative.
How do I know what voltage to select on the battery pack?
The power requirement for a particular device is typically indicated, in the product literature, on the device itself, or on the charger (as power output).
Most cell phones charge at 5V when connected directly using an adaptor. USB chargers should also be connected at 5V. When using a car charger the 7.2V setting is usually the best.
Some devices will operate at several voltage settings. For the most efficient use of power, select the lowest setting that powers your device.
Warning: Using higher than the required voltage may damage some devices. Check the voltage setting on the battery before connecting to a device.
What should I do if I need more than 7.2V?
The maximum voltage output of the battery pack is 7.2V. Some devices may require a higher voltage (such as some larger digital cameras). The best alternative is to use a car charger and connect the car charger socket directly to the solar panels which produce 10V 400mA.
How do you know how much charge is in the battery pack?
LEDs light sequentially when charging. Solid LEDs indicate portion of battery charged.
What does the charge light on the battery pack indicate?
When the battery pack is receiving a charge the charge light will light up. When charging with the solar panels the light will show green through the entire charge cycle, which indicates a trickle charge.
When charging using the AC charger or car charger it will initially show red (this indicates maximum power); when it is full the light will switch to green.
Does the fact that you offer the adaptor mean the battery pack will charge my device?
No, the availability of an adaptor does not guarantee that the battery pack will charge the device. The voltage requirements for your device may not match the output of the battery pack.
In some cases manufactures design their devices to only work with chargers made by them (e.g. Nokia). In this case it is necessary to purchase a car charger and plug it into the car charger socket inside the bag.
This Voltaic solar bag is a mobile power generator designed to charge portable electronics
including: cell phones, small digital cameras, GPSs and MP3 players.
The solar panels generate 4 Watts of power, enough to charge a typical cell phone in 4-6 hours.
The panels are lightweight, waterproof and UV resistant, but tough enough to withstand the rigors of
everyday use. So take your bag wherever you want to go. It can take it!
Power generated by the solar panels is stored in a lightweight Lithium Polymer battery,
ensuring power is available, even when not in the sun. The battery can be charged from any
USB power source, making it as useful on the grid as off.
To charge a device, hold the Power Button for a few seconds to turn on the battery, plug the USB Out
Cable into the top of the battery, connect the appropriate adapter and connect your device.
If the adapter you need is not included in the standard set, you will likely find it on our site,
otherwise use any standard USB charger. When charging, open the zipper a little to keep the battery
and your devices cooler.
What's included
Bag Setup
Battery Pack
Charging the Battery Pack
Charging a Device
Tips
Other Features
- Stores power from the solar panels (or chargers ) until needed.
- Regulates the flow of power to the device
- Plugs into Battery Pack "DC OUT'" plug
- Attach the appropriate adaptor
- Plug into the power out cable to connect a device
- Note: Set the battery to the correct voltage first
- To charge a device using a car charger
- Connect to the battery (at 7.2V) or direct to the solar panels
- To charge a device using a USB charger
- Connect to the battery (use 5V setting only)
- For recharging the battery from a wall socket
- Connects to the “DC IN” plug underneath the battery
- For recharging the battery from a car
- Connects to the “DC IN” plug underneath the battery
The battery clips into the front pouch of the bag where it connects to the solar panels. It can also be removed for
use separately.Useful where a higher voltage is required than the battery pack delivers (e.g. for some car chargers or when charging batteries requiring 8.4V or more)
For further technical assistance, please see FAQ's above, or contact support@voltaicsystems.com.
Charging the Battery: The battery stores any power generated by the solar panels until required to charge a device (similar to some solar house systems). Keep the battery connected to the solar panels whenever in the sun.For the best results, place the bag in direct sunlight with the solar panels angled towards the sun. A green light on the battery indicates it is trickle charging. In good conditions it will charge in 8-10 hours.
When the solar panels produce a charge, an indicator light in the center of the Voltaic logo illuminates. Note: It will illuminate in some low or indoor light conditions, but the charge will be significantly lower.
The battery can also be charged from the AC charger, or the car charger (by connecting either to the DC IN plug). A red light on the battery indicates a fast charge. When full a green light will show.
Charging a Device:
Voltaic™ solar bags are designed to charge as broad a range of devices as possible. This requires first selecting the correct voltage,
then establishing a connection to the device.
Voltage Settings:
There are 3 voltage settings on the battery (3.5V, 5V, 7.2V). The solar power cable delivers 10V.
To find the required voltage: check the device itself, the product literature, or the device charger for “output”
voltage. Most cell phones charge at 5V, USB chargers require 5V. Note: Do not use a higher voltage than required.
Car Charger Socket:
Car chargers are available for most devices,
so the car charger socket is the default method for connecting a device.
They typically function at 7.2V from the battery, or 10V from the solar panels.
USB Adaptor:
We include a USB adaptor, to connect USB chargers (use the 5V setting). Note: some USB chargers only work with computers.
Adaptors: To bypass chargers, we include a set of adaptors
for common cell phones and other devices. It is not feasible to include adaptors for all devices; however, additional optional adaptors are available
online.
Tips:
If your device does not charge or charges slowly, first check to make sure the battery
charges properly from the wall / AC charger. Then, make sure no part of the solar panels are obscured by frame or shadow and that the LED white
lights are turned off. Next, check all the connections into the battery. To do this, remove the battery and point the panels at a lightbulb or sun
– you should see the LED in the logo light up. Next, cover panels 1 and 2 so that only the third panel is exposed. Do this wil panels 1 and 3 and
panels 2 and 3. In each case , the LED in the logo should light up. If not, check the connections to the black box behind the zippered flap. There
is a chance that they could be loose and providing less than full power to your battery.
When charging iPods you can use our iPod adaptor for all models, including iPhones, connected to the battery pack at 5V. For most iPod
models, you can use the Apple supplied USB charger connected to the battery pack at 5V via our USB adaptor (however Apple has blocked this
solution for some older iPods). You can also use an iPod car charger for all models except the new iPod Photo (for that you will need our adaptor).
To avoid overheating the contents of your bag on a hot day, it will help to open the zip slightly (as you would the window of a
car), or to remove sensitive electronics and just allow the battery to charge for use later.
Other Features:
The Shoulder Strap Power Cable allows you to run power to the shoulder
strap and charge devices in the adjustable phone / MP3 pouch. To use this cable, plug it into the "DC OUT" plug on the Battery Plug.
There are various wire channels throughout the bag which allow you to run power wires or headphones to different pockets as required. Channels run along the seam of the bag (right side in main pouch), and along the shoulder straps. Holes for wires are marked with the following symbol:
For further technical assistance, please see FAQ's above, or contact support@voltaicsystems.com.