My JuiceBar v1 powered my PirateBox for about 4.5 hours. It is handy because it is solar chargeable. I will do some testing on it to see about powering the PirateBox while it is charging it via solar power as well as while it is charging via usb cable or power brick that comes with the MR3020. Once I know this I will have a better idea of whether it is worth it if you will not be around a power source where you can plug in for an extended period of time.
I almost forgot...On the PNY site it also stated that their usb flash drives use 1mA of power in standby mode. I would say this would be the case for all usb flash drives in standby mode. Recreating the formulas again we get:
SIIG 2400: (2400 / 501) 0.7 = 3.53 hours
Aluratek APB01F: (5000 / 501) x 0.7 = 6.98 hours
JuiceBar v1: (1500 / 501) x 0.7 = 2.09 hours
Still these amounts aren't correct as I have had my JuiceBar running for a little over 4 hours. As far as solar power goes right now the chargers I have read state to not get them wet which means they can't be outside during rain.
Specifically I will be looking at the Freeloader Pro Solar Charger as that is the device I am able to find the manual of the quickest. I do not own the device, rather I am obtaining the manual from the profile on ThinkGeek. The manual states:
• For best performance, please ensure FreeLoader Pro is given exposure to sunny conditions for 5 to 10 hours.
• Ensure the FreeLoader Pro is outside, facing south, in an unshaded position and ideally tilted at a 45 degree angle.
The Frequently Asked Questions list even more items that are pertinent but I am not going to copy them in here. I am just going to discuss them. It states that on a full sunny day from 9am to 6pm it should be mostly charged. That is quite a bit of time for the device to charge up, but this looks to be the case for a lot of consumer grade portable devices. The manual also states that it powers items 10x faster than the solar cells can charge the battery. Since the device can't necessarily sit outside and be rained on you could maybe cover it loosely with some clear wrap. You still run the chance of water getting on the device and messing up the battery. I do not know how solar panels operate, but I would assume they are okay to be outside since the battery/items they are charging are indoors. I guess you could maybe put small solar panels outside and have a box the PirateBox is stored in, but unless you have a battery the PirateBox would only be running when their is sun. As far as how solar lights operate that too is a mystery to me. Could possibly fit the MR3020 into the top of one and run the battery to the PirateBox through wiring. I am assuming that they have a battery since they charge during the day and emit light at night. Again you have to rely on how fast the solar cells/panels can charge up the battery. Consumer grade portable electronics might not be best.
I almost forgot...On the PNY site it also stated that their usb flash drives use 1mA of power in standby mode. I would say this would be the case for all usb flash drives in standby mode. Recreating the formulas again we get:
SIIG 2400: (2400 / 501) 0.7 = 3.53 hours
Aluratek APB01F: (5000 / 501) x 0.7 = 6.98 hours
JuiceBar v1: (1500 / 501) x 0.7 = 2.09 hours
Still these amounts aren't correct as I have had my JuiceBar running for a little over 4 hours. As far as solar power goes right now the chargers I have read state to not get them wet which means they can't be outside during rain.
Specifically I will be looking at the Freeloader Pro Solar Charger as that is the device I am able to find the manual of the quickest. I do not own the device, rather I am obtaining the manual from the profile on ThinkGeek. The manual states:
• For best performance, please ensure FreeLoader Pro is given exposure to sunny conditions for 5 to 10 hours.
• Ensure the FreeLoader Pro is outside, facing south, in an unshaded position and ideally tilted at a 45 degree angle.
The Frequently Asked Questions list even more items that are pertinent but I am not going to copy them in here. I am just going to discuss them. It states that on a full sunny day from 9am to 6pm it should be mostly charged. That is quite a bit of time for the device to charge up, but this looks to be the case for a lot of consumer grade portable devices. The manual also states that it powers items 10x faster than the solar cells can charge the battery. Since the device can't necessarily sit outside and be rained on you could maybe cover it loosely with some clear wrap. You still run the chance of water getting on the device and messing up the battery. I do not know how solar panels operate, but I would assume they are okay to be outside since the battery/items they are charging are indoors. I guess you could maybe put small solar panels outside and have a box the PirateBox is stored in, but unless you have a battery the PirateBox would only be running when their is sun. As far as how solar lights operate that too is a mystery to me. Could possibly fit the MR3020 into the top of one and run the battery to the PirateBox through wiring. I am assuming that they have a battery since they charge during the day and emit light at night. Again you have to rely on how fast the solar cells/panels can charge up the battery. Consumer grade portable electronics might not be best.