Going Solar: Anyone make one?

I am looking into folding solar panel setup for extended wilderness hiking etc.
I do not want to purchase the setup as they are overpriced (compared to pricing the components separately). I have looked online but most are for stationary, single piece panels (like for mounting on your roof). Not folding for travel.

Was wondering if any photographers had made a setup for this purpose and had a design that they would like to share.

Thanks,

I tried hooking this up to an 8-AA batteries
It seemed to work but I have never found a real need for it yet. It cost me $10

http://www.princessaut​o.com …-Solar-Battery-Maintainer

That's the type of thing I was thinking of. But a bit of a larger scale

BirdBoy wrote in post #15380135
That's the type of thing I was thinking of. But a bit of a larger scale

How big (wattage) of a system were you looking for? Weight is your biggest problem. I'm assuming you wanted to charge your phone & cameras.
Or we're you thinking of using it in your cabin?

Canajun wrote in post #15380198
How big (wattage) of a system were you looking for? Weight is your biggest problem. I'm assuming you wanted to charge your phone & cameras.
Or we're you thinking of using it in your cabin?

I was thinking of running a laptop off of it (Lenovo T530). Charging camera batteries also.

Is this what you are looking for?

http://www.amazon.com …lar-Charger/dp/B001RMF7P8

Cheers

rumple wrote in post #15380256
Is this what you are looking for?

http://www.amazon.com …lar-Charger/dp/B001RMF7P8

Cheers

Yes, a folding solar panel. But I am looking for it to charge a larger battery (like a car battery) or something medium size. Which I can plug my laptop and and camera battery chargers into.
I have seen the commercial ones, but I would like to build my own. Looking for someone who has done this already and has built their own

You're going t run into current issues. A laptop battery charger will likely draw more current than you will be able to provide with a modest-sized solar array. I'm not sure why you'd want to build your own, as it will most likely be cheaper to buy one.

Each individual solar panel will output a specific voltage and can provide up to a certain amount of current. You will need to find out what your requirements are, and then find solar panels to match.

For charging, you need only worry about the voltage. For instance, charging a car battery will require like 15 volts or so. (roughly speaking). The amount of current that the solar panel can provide will determine your charging rate (how long it takes to charge) and with a car battery, a panel that's a foot by a foot might take the good part of a day, or longer...

Goal Zero

Do you really care if it is 'solar energy' for your camera or are you interested in being able to recharge your batteries when/where there is no power available (e.g., for extended wilderness hiking etc.)?

With this you can charge your batteries anyplace there is something to burn, day or night, and you can cook with it too:
http://biolitestove.co​m …e/camp-overview/features/
http://laughingsquid.c​om …hat-generate-electricity/