[Power] 3 portable solar choices for XO-1? (and other XO laptops, if poss!)

[James Cameron]

On Mon, Jan 13, 2014 at 11:17:31PM -0500, Adam Holt wrote:
> 1) Our community deployments are re-ordering from Richard Yu @ Gold
> Peak (GPI): “Portable Solar Module, Item #GPSP151400, 15V 14W solar
> panel with 18V limiter” currently used for the expanding XO-1
> deployment in Lesotho [... 29°28′S ...] can anyone remind/clarify
> whether the above works across all XO laptops (XO-1, XO-1.5,
> XO-1.75, XO-4), or is the above unit only really for XO-1s?

I don't think I have one of these, so I can't say from experience.

> 2) We'd obviously like a suitcase-ready solar panel that works in as
> many planetary situations as possible, aware this is unrealistic. 
> Still, Lesotho's high-altitude/cold/bright XO-1 deployment will test
> a couple of AuriaSolar.com's rigid panels in adverse conditions
> (cold/bright/high-altitude) in both Idaho/Lesotho in coming
> weeks/months, just in case these can actually work with XO-1s, so we
> all understand better.  Very inspiring they're putting their neck
> out for all of us, if others have advice/warnings!  That Auria Solar
> model being:
> 
>    "15-watt-solar-panel for XO-1.5, 1.75 and XO-4"  "XO-1 with minor
> constraints"
>    "$69 each in quantity of 10"  "Dimensions: 13 inches by 16 inches"
>    http://xoshare.org/ilovemyxo/I%20Love%20My%20XO%20Product%20Catalog/Forms/
> DispForm.aspx?ID=19

I've tested samples of these from Auria at 31°42′S.  I didn't get to
the bottom of the XO-1 symptoms when the input voltage exceeded 18V;
they didn't follow Richard's expectations.  My test XO-1 did cease
charging if the sun got too bright while the panel was cold and
clean.  But once the panel was hot enough to derate, I don't think
there was a problem.  Still, sounds dodgy asking people to let it warm
up before you plug it into an XO-1.  ;-)

You might also search for more recent modules.

-- 
James Cameron
http://quozl.linux.org.au/