USB Solar Panel

[Daemon_]

If one doesn't exist, should someone invent one to charge a battery on a laptop.

[robgasm]

im pretty sure it does... or at least a solar laptop with a panel built into the top (that would be cooler, and probably doesnt exist)

[Deadloader]

well you know the japanese ... they probably have hover boards by now .... i'd say yes but i'm not sure, go search it.. i'm sure it'd be easy to make, heck if it hasn't already been made you could probably patent it

[Daemon_]

Good idea, great money maker.

[MetalSkin]

the problem is that the usb port on a laptop is a server usb port not a client usb port. This means that it provides power to the port, it doesn't try and take power from the port.

This is why you can use your usb port to charge your phone, charge your iPod, etc. Why the default lead for your iPod is actualy Firewire, and the power adapter has a firewire port on top.

So i beleive that technicaly it isn't possible. however, it would be possible to have a solar panel, that provides use ports and firewire ports for charging devices that can be charged via usb.

[Ryzee]

yes usb ports provide power, not recieve it... though if you plug it into where ever you charge them then.... you figure out the rest....

[Deadloader]

What if the solar panel had a usb port on it? ... and there was a reverse effect with the cable ... so the laptop has a wire which can be reeled out of it? :lol:

[unit_number_43]

Originally posted by MetalSkin@11 Hours Ago
the problem is that the usb port on a laptop is a server usb port not a client usb port.* This means that it provides power to the port, it doesn't try and take power from the port.

This is why you can use your usb port to charge your phone, charge your iPod, etc.* Why the default lead for your iPod is actualy Firewire, and the power adapter has a firewire port on top.

So i beleive that technicaly it isn't possible.* however, it would be possible to have a solar panel, that provides use ports and firewire ports for charging devices that can be charged via usb.

[snapback]108271[/snapback]

Right. I think I saw someone built an ipod solar charger. Seems like a lot of work and expense for half the power of a AA battery, lol. I've seen people make external battery packs for the ipod that plug in through a simple usb female port. Those are handy if you run out of juice half an hour from home or something.

[MetalSkin]

ony way you can charge a device is via the method it retreives power. for a laptop this means one of two ways:

1. Power socket
2. Battery terminals

There isn't another way. The bottom line is that a laptop requires a lot of power, and even if you try and just charge the battery, your looking at a very small use time from the battery compared to how long it would take to charge. I'm not going to get into specifics, but your looking at very large panels to power a laptop.

[Oblivion]

To be honest...I bet there is about 1 or 2 in the world...Prolly people these days can do just 'bout anythin.