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Power Requirement of X301 when using solar panels
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 6:41 pm
by u751920
I'm interested in buying a portable solar panel charger. Just wondered if anybody had used one and had any views on it. They are often described with an output for eg. Capacity 20V @ 500mA max; USB 5V @1000mA max. Would this be suitable for an X301 with bay battery? Can anybody tell me how I would check the output or power draw of my laptop?
Thanks
Re: Power Requirement of X301 when using solar panels
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:44 pm
by rkawakami
The maximum current spec is usually printed on the bottom of the system next to the "INPUT" figure. You should see something like this:
Code: Select all
________
INPUT 20V -- -- -- 3.25A
That means the laptop, at maximum, requires 3.25 amps of power. You would have to parallel 7 of those panels together in order to supply (nominally) 3.5A. Power output from the solar panels is typically rated at the optimum light conditions (noon, cloudless, panel angled exactly perpendicular to the sun) so my guess is that you would need more like 10 of these panels to deliver adequate (> 3.25A) power in "sunny" UK. I don't know the size of the panel you are referring to but my guess is that 10 of them will not be very portable.
Re: Power Requirement of X301 when using solar panels
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:37 pm
by u751920
Good job I checked. You are quite right, I would need 10 of those to power the laptop in max conditions. Shame seemed like a good solution for certain situations.
Re: Power Requirement of X301 when using solar panels
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 12:27 am
by rkawakami
In certain situations it might be possible to slightly augment the battery with solar panels (of a manageable size) but I don't think you can drive the system from sunlight alone. It might be possible to trickle charge the battery with a couple of those panels but it would take the better part of the day.