Will it run my laptop or recharge the internal battery?
How long will it run a typical laptop?
Will it charge a MacBook Air, MacBook or MacBook Pro?
Does the panel alone have enough power to run my laptop?
How long does it take to charge other devices?
What does the LED in the logo indicate?
Will it charge indoors?
How do you get the best charging results?
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?
Can I take the panel off the bag?
How does it work?
The high-efficiency solar panel on the outside of the bag charges the Voltaic battery. You can then run your laptop or charge your device by connecting to the battery using one of the included adaptors, the car charger socket or the USB adaptor.
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 are the environmental benefits of this product?
Solar power is an environmentally friendly way to produce electricity, our hope is
that the first hand experience using solar power to charge cell phones and laptops will increase familiarity
and promote even broader use of solar power. At a minimum they are a good way to raise awareness and get people
talking about solar energy.
To be fair, the total amount of power generated from one of our bags is a relatively small portion of our total consumption. Adding solar panels to your house or even just turning
down the air conditioner in the summer and lowering the thermostat in winter will probably have a greater impact, so please do that too.
The bag eliminates the need for disposable AA batteries used in many emergency travel chargers and other devices. A Solar charger with rechargeable batteries is a much more sustainable alternative.
Using our bags also makes it easier for our customers to unplug their wall chargers, which often drain power even when not connected to a phone.
What materials do you use?
We use sustainable materials where we can and almost all of the fabric we use is woven from recycled PET (soda bottles).
This keeps soda bottles out of landfill, requires significantly less energy to manufacture than virgin PET (which is made from oil).
Will it run my laptop?
The Generator can run most, but not all laptops. Whether or not a laptop charges usually depends on whether the laptop manufacturer supports charging from external batteries. In general, the more efficient the laptop, the more runtime for each hour the panel is in the sun.
Will it run my laptop or recharge the internal battery?
This varies between different laptop brands and even models. It is preferable to run the laptop from the Voltaic battery rather than recharge the internal laptop battery, since energy is lost in recharging (approx. 15-30%). To see if the battery is running the laptop, open the battery window and note the power remaining. If running, this percentage will remain constant until the Voltaic battery is depleted. Some laptops (e.g. Dell) also show the hours remaining as over 1,000 (not accurate) when drawing power from the Voltaic battery. When charging, the charge symbol will usually show in the battery window. In some cases (particularly with Macs) this will show for a while, then as the Voltaic battery runs down it will stop charging but run the laptop for a period, so the charge percentage will be constant before ultimately declining when the Voltaic battery is depleted.
How long will it run a typical laptop?
The Voltaic battery is a 50 Watt hour battery (58wh throughput in normal conditions) A typical small-medium laptop battery is about the same size, so the Voltaic battery will run a small laptop for roughly the same amount of time as the internal laptop battery. For larger machines the run time will be less than from the internal battery. The range is anywhere from 1 to 4 hours.
Will it charge a MacBook Air, MacBook or MacBook Pro?
Yes, by you will need an optional adaptor.The Generator works best with the MacBook Air, providing almost 45 minutes of runtime for every hour the bag is in the sun. MacBook Pros are much more energy intensive and will get about 12 minutes of runtime for every hour in the sun.
Does the panel alone have enough power to run my laptop?
Probably not. The Generator produces 15 Watts max output while most laptops use between 25 and 60 Watts. The Voltaic battery acts as a buffer between the panel and the laptop. For every hour of sun, you will likely get between 20 and 45 minutes of additional runtime.
How long does it take to charge other devices?
From the full Voltaic battery, about the same time as plugging into a wall charger. The bag generates enough power to charge most small devices in about an hour.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. It lights dimly when the panels are in the shade and more brightly when they are in direct sun, reflecting the higher charge produced in direct sun. It will come on in some indoor light conditions; however, the power generated is significantly less than in direct sunlight.
Will it charge indoors?
Generally indoor light is significantly less powerful than direct sunlight and so the amount of charge generated is proportionately lower. Typically the charge from indoor light will be less than 10% of full charge. If you receive direct sunlight through a window, this will charge although the charge will be reduced by light reflection off the window. Avoid placing any part of the bag in shadow.
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%. Make sure that no part of any cell is in the shade. If any cell is obscured, the power output from the entire panel drops.
What should I do if the battery pack is flat and I need to charge something?
Within about 30 seconds of the battery pack receiving a charge (from either the solar panels, the AC charger) you can begin to charge small electronics. If you have both a flat phone battery and a flat Voltaic battery pack, you should be able to plug in your phone, angle the bag towards the sun, and make a call almost immediately. When using solar power or when running a laptop, it is more efficient to let the battery pack partially charge (to amber on the charge indicator) before plugging in the device, this provides a buffer so that the charge to the laptop is not cutting on and off
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 adaptor, 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 the manufacturer supplied car charger and plug it into the car charger socket in the bag.
We are not able to test all laptops. Please contact us at support@voltaicsystems.com if you have a question about your specific model. In the even that our bag does not either run or charge your laptop, you are welcome to return it to us for a refund within 60 days so long as it is in new condition.
What if I need to charge a device and the sun has set?
This is part of the reason we included a battery in the Voltaic bags. The battery stores energy generated by the solar panels until you need it, and will hold a charge for months. So even when you 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.
Can I take the panel off the bag?
Yes, although this means there are connector wires to deal with and the LED light will not be connected. We also have an optional panel available that zips on and off the back of the bag if you require additional power. Contact us for more information on support@voltaicsystems.com.
Do you have an adaptor for...?
The adaptors included with the Voltaic bag, and many of the devices they will charge, are listed on the adaptors page. However, these adaptors may fit additional devices (particularly the universal adaptors). We have included photos and specifications for each adaptor to help you to determine whether they are likely to suit your device.
What if you don’t have an adaptor 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 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 do the lights on the battery pack indicate
The Charge Indicator shows when the battery is receiving a charge. Red = fast charge. Green = trickle charge. The Battery Level Indicator shows the charge remaining in the battery. Green = > 67%, Amber =33 to 67% and Red = < 33%.
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.
How long will the battery last?
The battery is designed to charge approximately 500 charge cycles. Like any rechargeable battery, it may need to be replaced. We accept our batteries back for recycling.
What care does the panel 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 panel is 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, use a damp non-abrasive cloth with either detergent or alcohol.
Warning: Using higher than the required voltage may damage some devices. Check the voltage setting on the battery before connecting to a device.
Is the panel breakable?
It can be broken, but it is unlikely to be damaged in typical use. It can easily stand up to being dropped. You should avoid bending the panels or stuffing your bag with so much stuff that it puts pressure on the panels. If you were to place the panel over a book or other solid object and stand on it you would cause the cells to crack, which would reduce the output of that panel.
Is the bag waterproof?
The solar panels and recycled PET fabric are waterproof. However, water can seep in through the zips and seams, so the contents can get wet. The only electrical component you need to keep dry is the battery pack, which you should treat as you would any other electronics
Can the bag tolerate heat and cold?
Yes. The battery is rated for use at temperatures from -10 to 60° Celsius (14 to 140°F) and the panels can operate at a similar temperature range.
Turn the Battery On: Hold the Power Button for 5 seconds. Cell Phones and Other 5V Devices: Connect the USB Wire to the USB Plug and connect phone using the appropriate adaptor. Otherwise, use a USB charger, or car charger (via DC Out Plug). To Run Laptops: Check the voltage required for your laptop. Double click the power button to switch to the required voltage (usually 12-20V). Connect the DC out wire to the DC out plug (the voltage will not switch when connected). Connect to laptop using the appropriate computer adaptor. Note: the laptop may just run from the Voltaic battery rather than recharge the laptop battery, this is the most efficient use of power. In this case the laptop may not indicate an external power source, however the power remaining on the laptop battery indicator should hold steady. Reset Battery: Press the Reset Button on the battery for 10 seconds. After 10 seconds, press the Power Button for 2 seconds (while pressing the Reset Button) Disclaimer: Voltaic Systems is not responsible for damage or injuries caused using this charging system. Please consult the specifications of your device before connecting. Some manufacturers recommend only using original chargers. Not suitable for all devices.
Technical Specifications
Battery
Charging a Device
Charging the Battery from the Sun
Charging the Battery from Other Sources
Tips for Running Laptops
Input: 18V, 800mA
Output: USB 5V, 500mA. DC out: 3.5-8.4V, 12-20V up to 2.5A
Battery: 58Wh max throughput, LiIon
Temperature: Store at 0° to 40°Celsius (32° to 104°F)
Protections: Short circuit, over charge, over discharge, over heat
Certification:
Do not submerge battery in water or otherwise short circuit. If the battery gets wet, unplug any devices and the solar panels or other power source. Leave until completely dry and reconnect. It may be necessary to press the "reset" button on the back of the battery
Do not store battery outside the range Do not store battery outside the range 0° to 40°Celsius (32° to 104°F). This can damage the battery or reduce its useful life. Note: Leaving a zip partially open when charging can reduce the internal temperature of the bag. Do not expose the battery to direct flame.
Do not disassemble or tamper with battery.
Dispose of battery properly. Do not dispose in trash or incinerate.
USB Plug: Connects to USB wire to provide 5V output for small devices such as phones, PDAs, some cameras etc.
Voltage Indicator: Indicates the voltage setting for power from the DC out plug. Note: does not relate to the power from USB plug.
DC Out Plug: Connects to DC out wire to charge laptop computers and other devices that require universal adaptors or car chargers.
DC In Plug: Connects the battery for power input from solar panels, AC chargers, or car chargers (located on the side of the battery).
Power Button and Voltage Selector: Hold for 5 seconds to turn on the battery and charge a device. To switch voltage output from the DC out plug, disconnect DC out wire and double click button.
Battery Level Indicator: Shows the charge remaining in the battery. Green = >70%, Amber = 30 to 70%, Red = <30%. Note: The reading is more accurate when the battery is under load i.e. discharging.
Charge Indicator: Shows when the battery is receiving a charge. Red = fast charge. Green = trickle charge, either because the battery is nearly full or the power supply is limited (e.g. in cloudy conditions from solar charge).
Determine Correct Voltage: The voltage required for a device is often indicated on the AC charger as "DC Output". A typical 3.7V LiIon battery requires 5V to charge, a 7.4V battery requires 10V etc.
Set Voltage: For 5V, use the USB wire to connect. For other voltages, double click the power button to switch voltage, then connect DC out wire. Use the lowest voltage range that charges the device.
Charging at above recommended voltage may damage device. Consult device specifications and use caution.
Connect Device: Connect using the components described below.
USB Wire: Connects to the USB pug to provide 5V output for small devices such as phones, PDAs, some cameras etc.
Phone Adaptors: Connect to USB wire for 5V output. Common sizes are included, others available at:http://voltaicsystems.com/generator_adaptors.shtml
DC Out Wire: Connects to DC plug to power universal and computer adaptors.
Computer and Universal Adaptors: Connect to DC out wire to charge laptops and other devices that require universal plugs.
Car Charger Socket: Connects via DC plug to power car chargers. For devices not connected via USB or included adaptors.
iPhone Adaptor: Connect to USB Out cable (5V).
The battery stores any power generated by the solar panels until required. So power is available whether the bag is in the sun or not.
Connect Battery to Solar Panels: Locate the wire that comes from the back of the solar panel, it has a sticker "Connect to Battery". Plug this wire into the DC in plug on the side of the battery. Leave this wire connected for normal use. Note: The battery will receive a solar charge even when not turned on.
Do not connect devices directly to the panels unless suited to solar power output up to 18V, 833mA (panel specifications vary).
Place the Bag in the Sun: For the best results, place the bag in direct sunlight with the solar panels angled towards the sun. In good conditions the battery will fully charge in 5 hours. The LED light in the center of the Voltaic logo illuminates when the panels produce a charge. Note: It may illuminate in indoor light, but the charge will be negligible.
Use Caution in Extreme Temperatures. The Voltaic battery can be used at 0° to 40°Celsius (32° to 104°F). Avoid exposing devices to extreme temperatures. To reduce temperature, open the zip.
Confirm the Battery is Charging: : When charging, the charge indicator will illuminate. Red indicates a fast charge. Green a trickle charge, when the battery is nearly full or the panel is generating minimal power.
AC Wall Charger: Connects to DC in plug on the battery. The charge indicator shows red for fast charge, green when full or trickle charging.
DC Car Charger: (Not Available) Connects to DC plug to charge the battery from a standard car charger socket (cigarette lighter).
Tips for Running Laptops:Charging requirements vary for different laptops. Not all laptops will respond consistently to the Voltaic battery and some will not charge at all.
Avoid Recharging Laptop Battery: It is preferable to run the laptop from the Voltaic battery rather than recharge the laptop battery, since energy is lost in recharging (approx. 15-30%). It can be hard to see whether a laptop is charging. Open the battery window and note the power remaining. If running, this percentage will remain constant until the Voltaic battery is depleted. Dell laptops also show the hours remaining over 1,000 (not accurate) when drawing external power.
When the Laptop Battery Charges: For some laptops the battery can be removed and the laptop will run from the Voltaic battery e.g. some Panasonic Toughbooks. For others (e.g. Apple laptops) the battery can’t be removed so the laptop battery charges then depletes (sometimes at a slower rate than normal). Overall the use time is still extended.
Adjust Power Settings to Minimize Power Use: When running from the Voltaic battery adjust the "plugged in" power settings. Adjusting screen brightness and turning off WiFi will also increase run time.