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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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%.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

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.

^ back to top

Basic Instructions

^ back to top

Technical Specifications Battery Charging a Device Charging the Battery from the Sun Charging the Battery from Other Sources Tips for Running Laptops

Generator Battery

Charging Components

Battery in the Bag

AC and DC Charger

^ back to top