Solar Panel for my Laptop, need advice

[naaman]

Hey Everyone,

Seeing as how where I'm at (here in the Middle East), they use different electrical outlets (both shape and voltage), I have nowhere to plug in my computer. There are divices that I can buy from the store here, but I don't know how to tell if it will work with my laptop.

Then I got the idea to carry a solar panel around and just plug my laptop into that, but my electrical knowledge is limited.

the AC/DC adaptor thingy that I plug in has an INPUT of 100-240V ~ 1.8A (oft the top of my head), and an OUTPUT of 15V === 8A. I know that V is volts and A is amps, but as for how they work together with regards to a battery charger and an outlet, I'm clueless. I have some very basic knowlege (as it pertains to automechanics) of the workings of electricity, but it's all hazy, as it's knowledge I've never had occasion to use until now. The laptop is obviously US spec, but the outlets here put out 220V (240 in some places).

Anyway, just wondering if anyone knows what kind of output a prospective solar panel should produce so that it doesn't blow up my computer, and what kind of input (if any) it requires so as not to be blown up by my computer.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[robr]

Solar would take quite some time to recharge the battery (you wouldn't be able to just run off solar, it can't generate enough power)... that said, you may want to take a look at something like this:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/courtesy...gives-more-than-just-laptops-juice-276816.php

The last comment on the site above suggests:
BY STEVECHIPPY AT 07/11/07 12:05 PM
8.5KG of lead-acid battery pack. Hardly mobile!
The panel will give 25W at FULL sun power. On the equator you probably get 6 hours per day. It would take two full days (Minimum 36 hours) to fill this baby up. For most of us, this solution just aint worth it.
Suggestion: Sunlinq 25Panel and a Tekkeon MP3400 power bank as I will be using on my Solar UMPC tour (solar-umpc.com)
Steve

 

[0ctan3]

Just get an adapter for the prongs and plug that sucker in. No need to worry about anything 'blowing up' if it says 100 - 240v on the power supply.

bonus: It'll charge way faster on 220v!

 

[naaman]

^^^Hey, another Santa Monica dweller (that's my hometown).

Thanks for the input (no pun intended... or maybe it was). As it turns out, my battle buddies did a bunch of trial and error with their equipment and now I know exactly what to use. Thanks for helping me out.