Voltaic Solar Charger-A Review

In any of my posts with a picture of my Pack Mule you may have noticed solar panels strapped across the mule's back.  This is a Voltaic Fuse 4 Watt Solar Charger, from Voltaic Systems, Inc.

I got this handy little system as a way to recharge my phone, GPS, MP3 player, GoPro, and batteries in situations where I don't have an outlet to use at the end of the day. Since getting it I have begun to buy only devices (such as bike lights) that I can charge using this little guy.

The Fuse is two solar panels and a battery attached to a carrying case that is designed to attach to any Molle style backpack which use a series of clips and straps to attach accessories, or (as in my case) use the included 3/4" straps and clips to strap it to most anything else.  I strap it across my pack mule for trips where I use the trailer, and I strap it to the bike's rear rack or to the rack bag when I commute.  It comes with a set of USB adapters that one uses to attach their device to the battery or panels to recharge.  If the adapter needed doesn't come standard, Voltaic sells adapters for damned near anything that you might need to charge, though the USB adapters that come with most thing these days will work without an adapter.

I love this thing, and have used it quite a bit, mostly to charge my phone and MP3 player, but I also have a USB battery charger for rechargeable batteries that I have used with it.  I even use it at home where there are plenty of USB ports and electrical outlets--I just like the idea of not using fossil-fuel power when I can.

The Fuse battery in its case

The fuse is quite an ingenious idea.  The case is large enough to carry small electronics (like phones, and GPS units) without being heavy or ungainly.  It zips open like a 'clamshell' and has a couple of small mesh pockets to hold adapters and devices.  You can keep the device being charged zipped securely inside while its charging or, by running the charging cord though a small opening on the back of the case, charge the device outside the case so you can see and hear it while it charges.

Keep in mind that this is a solar charger, so it won't speed charge things at the same rate as plugging the device in, but it will charge your devices fully overnight, or while riding or hiking (given enough sunlight) in places where plugging into the grid is not an option, and can give you some quick talk time when needed.

What I really love about the Fuse charger is its versatility.  The battery can be charged with the sun, it can be charged from an outlet (with an outlet adapter), and with a separate adapter that Voltaic sells (and I bought) it can be charged from the lighter/power outlet in your car.  You can use the solar panels at home, on the road, on the trail, and just about anywhere else the Sun shines.  And you can charge the battery and a device at the same time separately, or charge a device from the battery while charging the battery.  You could even charge two devices at the same time by plugging one to the battery and one separately, though anytime you do more than one thing at a time the charge is lower (and therefore slower) for each device since the available power is being shared.

Voltaic says the case is waterproof, and I have no reason to doubt this claim, but I have yet to test it by exposing the case to rain, so I can't vouch for it one way or the other.  The design of the case and zippers does inspire confidence that it could be used safely in the rain.

Voltaic offers one smaller and several larger charger systems if the Fuse is less than or more than you would need, but for my use this guy is perfect.  One note: if you plan on using such a system to charge larger devices such as a laptop, Voltaic recommends using a larger system since the power needs are greater.  The larger systems use a larger battery and more panels and can still be used for smaller devices like phones, GPS units, MP3 players, etc.  Voltaic has a set-up for charging just about anything, and even sell backpacks with the charger already attached.  They are well worth a look if you are in the market for a portable solar charging system.