For anyone interested in the environment and sustainable living

We all want to save on electricity and combat global warming by using solar power to reduce atmospheric CO2.

Why not do your bit by using solar power?

One of the simplest ways to keep your mobile phone charged is with a solar charger, Most are small enough be kept in your bag or pocket and it makes a good statement about your commitment to saving the environment.

At Ecopia we sell many types and sizes to suit all types of devices but many customers are puzzled by how to choose one, not surprising because there are a few things to consider:

What size solar charger do I need?

Look at the nameplate data on the wall plug-type charger that came with the mobile phone and find the bit that states the output DC volts and milliAmps, you might have to look closely, on the plug will be written something like OUTPUT DC 5.0 volts 900mA.

This tells us the solar charge must provide a voltage of 5 volts, you will be able to use a charger that puts out a bit more voltage, say 5.5 volts or 6 volts but not less than 5 volts and definitely not too much because that could damage the phone.

Volts is the pressure of the electricity in the wire.

Let’s compare electricity to water. Imagine you have long garden hose and you are trying to fill a water tank on a hill high above the tap.Now if the pressure of the water system is too low you won’t be able to fill the tank because the system water pressure is too low to push the water already in the hose all the way up the hill.
It’s the same thing with electricity, if the voltage (electrical pressure) is too low it won’t flow through the circuit.

Now lets look at the amps required.

The amperage is the measure of flow of electrons through the wire.

Using the analogy of the garden hose its similar to the flow of water along the hose.In electrical terminology its called the current and now you know why.

A solar charger can provide more or less that the rated 900 milli-Amps.

A higher amperage from the solar charger won’t do any damage and a lower charging current from the solar charger will mean it will still charge up the phone but it will take longer.

Most mobile phones use Lithium-ion batteries and these actually benefit from a slow charge so using lower amperage to charge you phone will take longer, but it’s better for the battery.

What cables and connectors do I need?

This is an important consideration that a lot of the other suppliers don’t address adequately because its like choosing tyres for your car.

You need to know the make and model of mobile phone.

Each solar charger will have an output cable that will accept interchangeable connectors that will fit the various makes and models of phones.

Luckily, at Ecopia we make this much easier for you by allowing you to nominate the phones you need to charge and we will supply the right cables and connections (See here). If you dont know the make or model then email a photo of your connector and send it to us.

Unfortunately not every new model of phone is catered for so first ask us if connectors are available for your new phone before you buy a solar charger. If you need any help just ask and we will be happy to assist, because we are Ecopia the Friendly Eco shop.