Freeloader Solar battery charger (Freeloader Portable Solar Energy Charger)

Member Name: liz_barratt

Product:	Freeloader Portable Solar Energy Charger
Date:	11/06/09 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great for camping, charges anything which can be charged from a computers USB socket.

Disadvantages: Can take a while to charge.

I saw the freeloader first at the Eden Project, and as both of our phones were out of power, I twisted my boyfriends arm and persuaded him to buy it for me.

It is quite smart, brushed silver exterior and all smooth and sleek when folded up, then you pull it to pieces, the solar panels come apart and one plugs into either side of the battery pack.

The first charge should be from a computers USB port, as this conditions the battery, then it is just a case of putting it in a sunny place, and wait for the battery to charge.

The instructions which come with it are really comprehensive, and the technical support from the manufacturers is also excellant (I had cause to query why my phone wasn't charging with it). The freeloader works best outside, as many glasses contain UV filters, however it does charge eventually behind double glazing (I use mine in the window sill) but it does charge faster outside, in full sun, at an angle to the sun. I find the best position for mine is propped up against the car window. It charges my boyfriends phone (an ancient Nokia) from flat to displaying a full battery, and if it is sunny we don't have to plug his phone in at all, as the freeloader recharges faster than his phone discharges (although he hardly ever uses his phone, so I am sure this is not normal), and I bought a USB battery charger, and it charges 4 AAA batteries from one full battery. Unfortunately my phone doesn't charge very well through it, it provides enough power to be able to turn it back on after it has turned off, but that is about all. I contacted freeloader about this and they got straight back to me saying it was probably the phone rather than the freeloader. As it charges everything else really well I am inclined to believe them.

Summary: Fantastic little device, wonderful for when camping.