Silva Solar I Manual página 3

Silva Solar I and II – Instruction manual
Thank you for purchasing a Silva Solar charger. Please carefully read the instructions in order for you to get the most out of this environmentally friendly
portable power device.
Introduction
Both the Solar I and Solar II chargers operate best in clear skies and in direct sunlight. To optimise the power output of both units, position the solar charger in
direct sunlight, with no shadows being cast on the front surface of the panel.
Power output in different conditions
As a general rule, Solar I or Solar II will produce the power rates, specified below, when faced directly at the sun:
• Direct Sun with panel faced directly at the sun – 100%
• Direct Sun with reflections from water surface, snow etc – up to 125%
• Partly cloudy (enough to cast a shadow) – approx. 50%
• Cloudy – approx. 10%
Performance in different temperatures
The performance of the Solar I and Solar II is affected by temperature. Best performance will be obtained on a clear sunny day in low temperatures. This is
due to the fact that the output of solar panels drops with an increase in the surface temperature of the solar cells.
Solar I or Solar II Mounting
The Solar I and Solar II have been designed to mount in a number of different ways to a variety of different products:
Rucksacks, bags etc: Use nylon strapping (not supplied) up to 25mm wide.
Pass the webbing through the slots provided along the top and bottom edges of the charger casing, and secure using the buckles provided with your web-
bing.
Windows, glass etc: Use suction cup mounts provided.
Please note that the performance of the Solar I and II will be diminished by 10 to 25% when operating through glass. Do not use the Solar I and II where the
glass has been treated with an anti-reflective coating as the output of the charger may drop to as low as 10%, even in ideal conditions.
Care
When not being used, store the Solar I in a safe place to protect the panel from scratches etc. Solar II should be folded shut. Despite the best of care, you
may find that, through time, the front face of the panel may become scratched. This will not generally affect the power performance and the durability. Do not
attempt to remove any scratches from the front layer of the solar panels. Clean as necessary with a soft damp cloth.
Caution
It is not unusual for The Solar I and Solar II to become hot during use, even in cooler climates and care should be taken at all times when handling the Solar I
or Solar II.
Warranty
2 years against manufacturing/material faults. The warranty does not apply to modifications, normal wear and tear or abuse.
Responsibility
Silva is not responsible for any consequences, direct or indirect, or damage resultant from the use of this product.
Solar I – Charging 'AA' batteries
The Solar I has been specifically designed to used with rechargeable 'AA'
batteries.
Note! Do NOT attempt to recharge non-rechargeable batteries, as this may
cause leakage, explosion and personal injury.
The ideal battery type to be recharged in the Solar I is Nickel Metal Hydride
(Ni-MH) Batteries. Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries can also be used. Bat-
tery capacities of 1,600mAh to 2,300mAh are best used with the Solar I.
Batteries with larger capacity will take longer to recharge. Typically, used in
ideal conditions, the Solar I will recharge (from flat) 2xAA 1,600mAh NiMH
batteries in around 5 Hours, or 4xAA 1,600mAh NiMH batteries in 10 Hours.
Recharge times will vary with both battery capacity and available light level.
To help maximise the life of your rechargeable batteries, the following points
should be noted:
• Don't overcharge your batteries by leaving them on charge for more than 3
days in good conditions (5 days in poorer weather).
• Remove any batteries from the Solar I battery holder immediately if they
become excessively hot.
• Remove any leaking batteries from the battery compartment immediately
and dispose in accordance with the instructions on the battery.
• Only use one type of battery chemistry in the battery charger at any one
time: i.e. don't mix NiMH batteries with Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) ones.
• Always use batteries with the same capacity in the charger compartment
at any one time: i.e. don't mix 1,600mAh NiMH batteries with 2,000mAh
ones.
• Always store batteries safely when not in use.
• Don't let your batteries run completely flat. Removing batteries from your
electronic device before they are 'dead' will avoid over-discharge and help
to get the most out of your batteries in the long run.
• Observe the polarity of the batteries when inserting them into the recharg-
ing chamber of the Solar I. If incorrectly inserted, they will be discharged
instead of recharged.
Solar I Charging Compartment
The Solar I has a permanently attached battery charging compartment, allow-
ing either 2 or 4xAA batteries at any one time to be recharged at one time.
It is not possible to recharge 1 or 3xAA batteries with this charger. Do not
place fully recharged batteries in the charger in conjunction with depleted
ones in order to recharge a single battery. Always place the charging com-
partment out of direct sunlight. This will minimise the temperature to which
the batteries will be exposed, and hence will reduce the risk of degradation
of the batteries.
Note! Make sure the batteries are inserted correctly according to the sym-
bols inside the battery case. 1
Solar I - Technical Data
Case material: PC/ABS
Case dimensions: 122 x 136 x 9 mm
Charging compartment material: PC/ABS
Charging compartment dimensions: 145 x 37 x 20 mm
Cable length: 370mm with flex up to approx 900mm
Solar panel type: Polycrystalline
Solar panel size: 108 x 108 mm
Maximum output: 4V, 300mA (1.2 Watts)
Solar II
The Solar II has been specifically designed to charge the likes of mobile
phones, MP3players, radios and other similar appliances. It provides a por-
table 12V power source (during daylight hours) via the unique 12V adapter
socket.
2
Solar II – How to charge
Position the Solar II in direct sunlight, connect the 'car charger' to the output
socket provided and connect the output of the charger to the device requir-
ing recharge.
During the charging of some devices (especially mobile phones) it should
be noted that the Solar II must be kept in direct sunlight and should not
be shaded during the recharge process as this may interrupt the charging
process and require disconnection and reconnection of the car charger from
the electronic device to re-establish charging.
Solar II – Charging times
When using the Solar II in conjunction with a car charger unit, the recharge
time will be similar to that achieved when using the charger in a car. In lower
light level conditions the recharge time can be extended. Ensure that the
Solar II is positioned properly to receive maximum light during all recharging
applications.
Solar II – Suitable Devices
The Solar II will operate well with most low power devices normally associ-
ated with portable electronics, but will not recharge the likes of laptop com-
puters. Remember to check that your device does not require more power
than the Solar II maximum power output, which is 13.6 Volt, 350 mA.
Solar II – Technical Data
Case material: PC/ABS
Case dimensions (folded): 270 (140) x 180 (180) x 8 (15) mm
Cable length: 370mm with flex up to approx 900mm
Solar panel type: Polycrystalline
Solar panel size: 2 pcs 160x105 mm
Maximum output: 13.6V, 350mA (4.75 Watts)