So we are off to Woodford Folk Festival this year for New years and we have secured a media pass for Modern Hippies. However since there is no power in the camp site where we will be located for a week, this poses a problem to my rechargeable camera batteries.  I’ll have my Canon EOS 50D for stills, Canon XL1 for video, and my laptop for backing up images and editing. So I’ve decided to build a Solar Power Station that I can carry around with me.
This is a reasonably simple design, Only using 3 parts readily available at your local electronics store. I purchased all my gear from Jay-Car (Australia only). First there is the Solar Panel worth around AU$100. A 6amp 12volt Lead Acid battery for around AU$30, and a 240volt 400watt inverter for around A$150.

List of Parts
1. 12 Volt 4.5 Watt Solar Panel ( CAT. NO. ZM9018 )
2. 12V 6AH SLA BATTERY ( CAT. NO. SB2485 )
3. 400W 12VDC TO 230VAC INVERTER ( CAT. NO. MI5106 )

Watch the Video for more info.

This device can also be connected to your back pack to recharge the battery on long hikes, and is ideal for multi day treks into the wilderness.
The 400watt inverter is capable of running my laptop, or 4 battery chargers on a power board quite happily. Generally the battery, being a 6amp will take approx 3-4 days of sun to fully peak charge. However, if you start out with a charged battery, and providing your not running your laptop for hours on end, the solar panel provides enough power to top up the battery daily. Ive been running tests on mine for 3 days and im quite impressed.

Tips for saving & optimising power.
Running a laptop can be a bit of a killer, So only use the power station to recharge the laptops battery. Then use the Laptops battery when in use.
A larger battery will help, more amps the better. However this can increase weight.
Adding a larger solar panel will speed up recharge times but i find this one to be optimal for weight, size and power.
Also get yourself some 12volt fluro lights for camping, these can be run directly off the Battery without the inverter, avoiding fuel lamps or disposable batteries. This 6amp Battery can power a 12volt fluro for days without a recharge. 12volt lights are also available at your local electronics store.

You can also just run an inverter off your car battery, however sticking with the Modern Hippies concept, Solar is a much greener way to go, and it works quite well. Ill be modding this over the next few days building neat connectors so as to avoid messy alligator clips which can slip off if bumped and not ideal for carrying in your back pack.
If you see us at woodford pop over and say hello. just look for the Modern Hippies Logo.

…dK