Who This Is For
USB solar chargers are a great option if youre taking an extended camping trip or if youre traveling somewhere with an unreliable power grid. Theyre also good for stashing in an emergency kit. In all those specific situations, a solar charger could charge a phone the size of an iPhone X using a few hours of midday sun. But in most situations, a USB solar charger isnt actually the best portable power source, and you may be better off starting with a USB power bank designed for phones and tablets, USB-C laptops, or AC-powered laptops. Our power bank picks keep a smartphone charged for hours or even days at a time, are the size of a paperback novel or smaller, and are not dependent on the weather.
But whether you choose a solar charger or a battery, itll work only with USB or USB-C devices, which limits these options appeal for anyone who needs power for a long-term, off-grid setup. If youre going to be mostly stationary and need to charge or run larger devices like laptops or televisions, or if you need to use more sophisticated communications equipment, youll probably be more interested in the larger setups that we cover in our guide to the best portable power stations.
It Has 2500 Battery Life Cycles
The Patriot 1800 supposedly has 2,500 life cycles according to the manufacturer, though thats obviously quite hard to test out anytime soon. In theory, this means that you could use this product every single day for almost 7 years before you would need a replacement.Its a nice feature, but I highly doubt anyone would ever use a generator that often unless they live totally off-the-grid.
So What Is A Power Cell
A power cell is an array of galvanic cells for storing electricity. In other words, it’s sort of just a fancy name for a battery. Power cells are also commonly known as power banks or portable chargers. With the rise of handheld devices in the last 15 years, small backup sources of power have also skyrocketed in popularity, especially ones with a built-in solar panel. The solar panel acts as a reliable way to charge the actual power cell in case of an emergency or loss of power.
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Our Overall Impression Of The Patriot Power Cell
If you examine the Patriot power cell within the context that it is an inexpensive and fairly simple device, the Patriot Power Cell can be somewhat useful. It is small enough to fit in a glove box or backpack and can carry a large enough charge to keep your smartphone topped up throughout the day, but charging the internal battery through a wall outlet or computer can be very time-consuming.
In regards to its solar capabilities, the Patriot Power Cell is extremely limited. Charging the battery with the built-in solar panel would take multiple days, and that is assuming you live in an area that receives plenty of direct sunlight. Essentially, the solar panel is barely functional, and it is more of a gimmick than a practical feature.
What we did like about the Patriot Power Cell was some of the extras, like the fact that it has a water-resistance rating of IP67 and features a built-in LED flashlight. It also has a fairly rugged, rubberized exterior, which is great if you are clumsy.
Overall, we simply cannot recommend the Patriot Power Cell. In terms of performance and practicality, it lacks just about every department. With that said, it is inexpensive, so it is not an overly risky purchase however, we would always recommend going with a more capable solar power bank from a recognized solar company. Spending the extra on a higher quality unit will ensure you have power when you need it.
Why Is My Solar Charger Not Working
The reasons vary but the solutions are simple. If your solar panel is not charging your battery properly the likely culprit are mainly: Wrong Solar Panel Setup, Equipment Problems, Internal Problems of Battery or Faulty Battery, Solar Charge Controller Issues. The easiest way to fix them is to replace faulty equipment.
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Finding A Fault Using The Patriot Digital Voltmeter
Electrical current flows toward a fault in the same way that water flows towards the plug-hole in a bath tub. A digital voltmeter allows you to follow the direction of the current towards the fault.
How Can I Charge My Patriot Power Cell
As we mentioned before, you can charge your patriot power cell by plugging it into the wall or simply leaving it out in the sun. The time it takes to charge to capacity, however, varies greatly.
In ideal conditions the AC wall outlet charging time is about 6 hours. In comparison to other chargers, this is a little slow, but altogether not too bad. On the other hand, the solar charging time of the Patriot Power Cell can take up to 40 hours!
Yes, you read that correctly. 40 hours. Unless youre through hiking in the desert, there is rarely ever going to be a time where you can efficiently expose your patriot power cell to the sun for 40 hours. Even then, it would take over 4 days of constant sunlight to fully charge. All in all, I feel like the built in solar panel is more of a gimmick then a function.
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How To Charge Devices With Your Patriot Power Cell:
Your Patriot Power Cells work with any USB-equipped device. Just plug in your existing charging cord! Theres no need to buy extra equipment.
The cord that comes with your Patriot Power Cell is for recharging your Patriot Power Cell. It is not for charging your phone with a Patriot Power Cell. To charge your device, use the cord that came with that device.
Charge your mobile devices with the charging cords that came with those items. If it has a USB end, your cord will work with both of the USB ports.
Need to charge two devices at once? No problem! Use the two USB ports on your Patriot Power Cell to charge your
- Phones iPhones, Samsung, LG, etc.
- And much more!
Patriot Power Generator Review : Worth Your Money
Nikola Geme | 2021-12-14 | Category : Home Product Review | 12 minutes read | 28,196& nbspViews
I live in a fairly rural part of the country where power cuts and weather problems are not uncommon. From blackouts to floods, there are a million and one reasons why my home can randomly lose power for a few hours.Its super annoying.While I can survive without my TV for a few hours, I like the option of having a backup power generator in my home so I can power my fridge or freezer and a few other essential appliances until the power comes back on.Always eco-conscious, I decided to try the Patriot Power Generator 1800 with solar power charging to see if it would work for my needs.
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For Those With Greater Solar Power Needs
If you find that a handheld power bank cannot store enough power to meet your needs, you might want to consider a portable solar generator.
The EcoFlow RIVER 600 Portable Power Station
The EcoFlow RIVER delivers a 288Wh deep cycle battery with an average shelf life of over a year. What makes the RIVER such a remarkable little solar generator is how incredibly versatile it is. With various output ports and the ability to charge up to 10 electronic devices at the same time, you will not have to worry if your device is compatible or not.
The RIVER features three standard, wall-style AC outlets, a variety of USB and USB-C outputs, and a 12V car-style charging port. The units impressive 1,800W power inverter means you can even power some fairly demanding electric appliances.
The RIVERs charge rate is also incredible. Due to EcoFlows unique X-Stream technology, you can fast-charge the internal battery from 0% to 80% in as little as an hour. Given that the Patriots tiny battery takes 6 hours to fully charge, the RIVERs charge time puts it to shame. You also can charge the unit in as little as 3 hours using two 100W solar panels. For those on the go, you can also charge the battery in your vehicle using a 12V charge plugin.
Ready Hour Wireless Solar Powerbank & Led Light Specs:
Charge on the Go – Three USB Cable Outputs, Outport: 5V 1A/2.1A Input DC 5V/1A.
Fast Charging, 2 Ways – Micro-USB input to charge via electrical outlet + Solar Panel, charge and discharge more than 800 times includes a four-stage power-level indicator recharges devices fast.
Solar Panel & Wireless – Cut the cord! Use the sun and recharge your devices on the wireless pad compatible with iPhone, Android, Mac, and PC.
LED Bank of Room Lights – Hold on/off button to turn on a bright panel of 28 LED lights with three settings: low, medium, high .
Dimensions – Dimensions 2.7″ x 0.7″ x 5.7″ and weighs 1.55 pounds.
What’s in the Box – Wireless Solar PowerBank Charging Unit, micro-USB cord, manual.
Storage: Store in a well-ventilated area between the temperatures of around 30-100 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not expose to temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Battery Care: As with all battery-run devices, proper upkeep is critical for the prolonged function of this unit. If the unit is left to sit for long periods, the battery can drain and even become inoperable. Make sure to charge the battery every few months to extend its life and performance.
The solar panel with this unit is primarily intended to power your LED flashlight.
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How Fast Can You Charge The Patriot Power Generator
This solar powered generator has 2 main methods of charging AC outlet and solar panels.
- AC outlet charging = 3 hours to a full charge
- Solar panels charging = 10 hours to a full charge
Obviously the AC outlet charging is much faster, but if youve got the time to spare, Id recommend charging with the solar panels to be kinder to the environment.
Get your hands on bifacials if you can for more efficient charging.
Read More:
Patriot Power Cell Solar Power Bank: What You Need To Know
While all of this sounds straightforward, the truth is, solar power banks are now available in different styles from a wide variety of brands, which makes choosing the right solar power bank a fairly complicated decision.
To help you choose the right option for your needs, we are going to take an in-depth look at one of the best-selling options on the market today the Patriot Power Cell from 4Patriots. Once we have determined whether or not it is worth the hype, we will also examine some of the best alternatives.
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Patriot Power Cell Guarantee:
AND dont forget. Your Patriot Power Cell is protected by our Outrageous Double Guarantee so this is 100% Risk FREE for you.
Guarantee #1: 100% Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee
If for any reason you’re not satisfied with your 4Patriots Patriot Power Cells, just return them within 365 days of purchase and we’ll refund 100% of your purchase price. No questions asked. That way there’s absolutely no risk for you. And you can keep the FREE bonus gifts for giving your Patriot Power Cells a try.
Plus, youll get a FREE 2-year extended warranty on every Patriot Power Cell you purchase. Were that confident that your Patriot Power Cell will stand the test of time and will be there when you need it.
Guarantee #2: 2-Year Extended Warranty
If anytime in the next 2 years your Patriot Power Cell fails to hold a charge due to defects in materials or workmanship, send it back with a 1-page note explaining the problem. Well ship you a brand-new one FREE! No charge for parts, service or labor. Your Patriot Power Cell will be as good as new, because it will be new.
To tell you the truth. I know youre going to love it. Because theres one important thing Ive learned from the 4Patriots community… our products provide the ultimate peace of mind. Just ask one of these satisfied 4Patriots Power Cell owners
Solar Lights Not Working: Troubleshooting Solar Lights
Here at Battery Depot, were constantly receiving emails from our customers. One of the most common emails that we get pertains to solar lights. You know them: those high-tech contraptions that you put out in your garden to collect solar energy throughout the day and to emit light throughout the night.
However, by the look of our inbox, it seems like lots of people are having issues with their solar lights. They write about new solar lights not working, they ask about charging solar lights for the first time, and they inquire why their solar lights wont work. So, we wrote this guide to troubleshooting solar lights!
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How Much Does The Patriot Power Cell Cost
On the 4Patriots website, a single Patriot Power Cell costs $29.95 so about $40 all-in. With that said, you can save some money if you are buying for the whole family. The company also has a Patriot Power Cell 4 Pack which costs $99 . A lifetime access pass to the company’s Preparedness Digital Guidebooks is also included in the purchase of the 4 Pack of patriot power cells.
Check For Any Loose Connections
A more elaborate way to fix your solar power bank requires some skills. If you have previous experience repairing electronics, you could try opening your solar power bank to check for any fraying or loose connections.
For instance, your solar power bank might not be charging because the wire that connects the solar panel to the circuit board is loose.
In this case, using a soldering iron to solder the loose wire will fix the broken.
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The Best Portable Solar Battery Charger
Weve added the Eceen ECE-627 13W Solar Charger to the Competition section, since it seems to suffer from the same problems as a similar version that we previously tested and dismissed.
Unlike the finite energy stored in a battery pack, a USB solar charger offers a tiny power plant that can generate power for your phone and small electronics to keep them charged when the sun is outyou can even use one to recharge a power bank and save that energy for later. After spending more than 60 hours testing 12 models, were confident that the BigBlue 28W USB Solar Charger is the best portable solar charger for people who need to charge their gadgets and stay connected in an emergency or when theyre off the grid.
Our pick
This lightweight solar charger gives you the most usable power for the size. Plus, it has three output ports to charge more devices than the competition can at the same time.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $60.
If you cant get our pick, this model is about the same size and almost as powerful but equipped with fewer ports and panels.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $55.
Busted Solar Lights 8 Troubleshooting Tips
Here are a few steps that you can take to figure out when your solar lights arent working. As always, if you have any questions about the process, you can reach out to us today at Battery Depot.
1. Ensure that your solar lights are on. Believe it or not, solar lights have on/off switches.
2. Look for a pull tab by the battery compartment. This is another no-brainer, but still
3. Do a test run by covering the solar panel. A major feature of solar lights is that they only come on at night. Therefore, if youre trying to test your lights during the day , you should cover the solar panel with either your hand or a piece of dark cloth.
4. Thoroughly clean the solar panel. Over time, dirt and debris will collect on the face of the solar panel. You should wipe it down with a soft cleaning cloth and the appropriate cleaning solution.
5. Reposition the solar panel. Try to move it so that its more directly exposed to the sunlight.
6. Turn it off and let it charge for 72 hours. Now, were scraping at the bottom of the barrel. If none of the techniques outlined above seem to work, try to let it cycle through a deep charge.
7. Get in touch with the retailer. Perhaps the retailer or the manufacturer will have some advice thats specific to that individual brand. Give them a call on the phone and see if they can help.
8. If none of those techniques help, then the battery is probably the culprit! Keep on reading.
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What Is The Patriot Power Sidekick
The Patriot Power Sidekick is a smaller version of 4Patriots 1800 series solar power generator. While the 1800 series can power large in-home utilities, such as refrigerators and freezers, the Patriot Power Sidekick can provide similar peace of mind on a smaller scale, all at a competitive price point.
