can i use the switch 8 as a buffer battery on my 3.5? meaning charging a phone while the switch is connected to the solar pannel?
932682
I'm able to do that with my Mercury 10 panel, but that basically means you're charging 2 things at once. You'll need good sun with the smaller panel, and there's no guarantee that the Goal Zero will charge. It will probably depends on the power you get from the Nomad and how much drain from the charging device.
1275536
Remember that you are pushing amps back into the battery, and with normal losses this 5.3A panel and charger will likely give you 4.5 amps per hour at the battery in good to excellent lighting conditions (that's what I'm getting here in central Indiana). In a day, consider that you'll have 6 hours of bright sunlight, and another 4-6 of indirect sunlight. Conservatively that's about 8 hours of (8 hours x 5 amps) or 36 to 40 Amp-hours restored. That's enough to restore your 85 Ah battery each day if you take it down to 60%. This system should be fine for your battery--and others might point out I'm being very conservative. Even in late afternoon in indirect light I'm getting 4+ amps. You may find a fully-recharged battery each day by mid-afternoon.
721724
yes, just connect the solar charger to the battery whenever you want to charge the battery.
2230296
I also can use my 255W while charging via a wall plug,I have programed in destinations while it is charging,no problem at all.
2121342
should work fine off a battery and using this to keep it charged.. shouldn't used it directly because of voltage fluctuations with clouds and weather.. will put out up to 6 amps in good sunlight...
2192897
Anything USB you can charge with this. Your charge rate will fluctuate with direct sunlight and shade, but I've had no complaints since I got mine. Works great as a trickle charge while walking around playing Ingress. My Setup: This charges my EasyAcc 12k MaH External Battery, which in turn charges my phone.
1354778
You can use it while charging. Though the panels will not keep up with typical use, it will extend your time before battery depletion. The best part is, you can also charge from you house or vehicle and give yourself a full charge starting point before use. We have used ours very little, but it is well made, and all the features seem to work without flaw.
1923909
To charge the battery in phone and one on dock @ same time however I would advise against it as it slows charging significantly.
665940
Yes, the battery will still charge as long as the panel is exposed to sunlight and the cable is connected. The switch control the light being On and OFF
1091350
Hello. From my understanding and current tests. The higher capacity device will pull 2A. And the lower end device will pull 1A. I have ordered a USB Meter to see if either USB port is designated solely for 2A. So far. The panels put out great power and I am satisfied. I haw changed an iPhone4, iPad mini no retina, lg android, 12000 Mah newtrent power extreme battery bank, 5200 Mah brightech battery bank, and eneloop rechargeable batteries with the eneloop USB charge adapter. All devices function and chare fine. The phones and tablets will read an error of power soure of the panels are not in direct sunlight. It's an easy fix. Just position the panels on the sun again. I highly recommend a external battery bank. This way you store the unused power. No sense in wasting free juice. Hope this helps.
683675
yes you can trickle charge it from solar panels from the same outfit. You can also plug it into your house current so it is ready to take on your outings you get it for to begin with. The real problem or drawback is the really short warranty. I had used my goal zero twice before finding that once it is not plugged into a charger, it would lose a bar of charge over night. Rather disappointed in the short warranty making this something they would not replace the unit for. Love the product over all, but very unhappy with the short warranty and battery quality. deep cycle should not be this way.
1836483
Sure, but you will want to make sure that you have the solar panel hooked up through a contoller/regulator to avoid overcharging the battery. This is true with any battery.
232357
I am using the panel connected directly to a large, deep-charge battery, and it works OK. You can go through a controller if you are worried about overcharging your battery.
2278742
That is a good question. I am inclined to say yes but at half the rate. Based on my experience it would be like using a solar panel at half the wattage, it would only maintain a battery as opposed to charging. good luck.
1275841
I have never tried in this way. I only use this backup battery to charge my cell phone.
375512
yes you can, but it would drain the battery in about 8/10 hour at full load
2229744
I have never tried to go 8 hrs with out charging. I have used only at the gym so far.