Solar is cool but confusing

I am really stoked about working the trip with Solar power.  However, as I have learned over the last 3 weeks of testing, it is definitely a confusing arena.  I ended up acquiring a 14W Powerfilm panel, which is rollable, flexible, and most importantly, water proof.  It is designed for a marine environment, so it should hold up well.  The device is completely sealed as are all of the connectors.  While I would have preferred one of the foldable panels because of packing concerns, they must be completely dried before storing and in AK that was just not going to be feasible.

After unpacking it and testing things out, I was amazed at the simplicity of charging some items and frustrated with others.  In a nutshell, so far this powers all of my smaller devices straight  from the panel via the female travel adapter.  You know, the kind that all of your auto accessories plug into.  With the addition of a small USB auto adapter, I am able to also charge all of my USB devices. 

The issues with this solution is in powering larger devices.  I had purchased this panel because  I was told it would at least trickle charge larger items even if it could not run them.  Well this has just not worked out as planned.  Lesson learned is to buy a minimum of a 28W panel, which would only have cost $100 more.  It turns out that the issue is not with the Wattage of the panels  but with the Amps.  Apparently many devices, including this Asus Eee PC netbook, have an electric component that will not allow juice to flow through to the battery without the correct Amps. So while technically a 14W panel can charge these batteries, the device itself gets in the way.  When you get a bigger Solar Panel, you also get more Amps.

The solution is to either acquire another panel and daisy chain them or to go with  an external batter solution.  With the latter, you use the Solar Panel to charge the external battery, and then use this to charge your devices.  Ironically, this was my original plan, but after much research decided I could get by with just the panel.  So based on a bunch of last minute research, it has come down to the Tekkeon 3450 and the Brunton Solo 7.5.  I think if I was not going out into the wild, the Tekkeon is actually a more flexible solution.  However, with that flexibility comes some complexity that I think will possibly cause me issues so I have opted for the Brunton.

I will provide updates and follow on reports about this combination and let you know how it all works and what, if any issues arise.