Posted: 9/22/2009 9:12:01 AM EDT
I stumbled upon this while looking around on survival blog....Any thoughts???
Solar Backpack Product Information Voltaic Systems Solar Daypack Don't let your electronics bake out in the sun while they charge - put them in a backpack! The sun charges the internal battery, then the battery charges your sensitive electronics. What a concept! Voltaic Systems Solar Daypack The Voltaic Daypack is built tough for use as a hike bag or daypack. There are pockets and wire channels for multiple electronic devices. Besides being functional and very cool, Voltaic products are green: They are made from recycled PET plastic –– soda bottles! The battery pack (Li Ion = rechargeable and recyclable) can also be recharged by plugging it into your wall or car. The Voltaic Systems packs are a mobile power source you can carry your lunch in! Features: High density padding in the shoulder straps and back panel for comfort Nylon mesh backing material for better air flow Removable waist stap The solar panels provide protection for fragile items inside the front pocket Wire channels throughout the bag take power to the shoulder strap and for headphones etc. Adjustable phone / MP3 pouch on the shoulder Second lined MP3 / sunglasses pouch inside Optional clip in padded laptop sleeves Bladder pouch and channels to run the tube to the shoulder strap Specifications: Fabric: 840D nylon, UV resistant PU, nylon mesh on the back Weight: 3.5 lbs (1,590 grams) including battery and solar panels Dimensions: 18" high x 10-13"wide x 6-9" deep (46cm high x 25-33cm wide x 15-23cm deep) Volume: 1,500 cubic inches (25 liters) Electronics: The electronics are the same as the other three Voltaic solar bags. Note: It is not designed to charge laptops, it will however charge cell phones, sat phones, PDAs, GPSs, iPods, cameras etc. Includes a 2,200mAh Li-Ion battery pack with 3 voltage settings to store solar power When not in the sun, the battery can be charged using the AC travel charger or DC car charger Comes with 11 standard adaptors including a car charger socket and USB adaptor so you can always use a standard charger for your device Includes adaptor plugs in universal sizes and for common cell phones, which eliminate the need to use a car charger for common devices The three solar panels are tough, light weight, waterproof, and generate up to 4 watts of power |
| The poor efficiency of the folding panels or small panels make anything like this only good for prolonging the life of batteries already countained within a device. Having any worth while onboard batteries would be too heavy to be a good hiking pack. That being said I am constantly toying around with this type of setup trying to build something thats worth the weight or trouble. m4whore |