I was able to have a bit of “geek fun” today. I heard about the “ReadySet” at Derbycon this year. It was pitched a low-cost solar charger for the developing world. I did some research and found out it was a $225 package, solar included, but it looked like it would be hard to ship back from the US to Uganda. I was disappointed because it seemed like a great unit for charging the Pelican. Sam did better research and found that they were actually sold in Uganda, which surprised me. I was sceptical that I’d even find it and sure that if I did, it would be crazy expensive. It turns out it was readily available and cost $75 LESS than the same device sold in the US.
It’s a cool device. It comes with a small 15w solar panel, the ReadySet unit with battery, two CLA DC ports and two USB ports (that push up to 2A!), phone charger adapters, and a lamp socket with a 12v lamp. IT’s sold as a way to create small “phone charging” businesses, but we’re going to use it as a backup battery for the Pelican. Sam’s test show that we can get several days worth of use out of one charge. One feature that I love is the fact that it can charge from a wall socket as well as solar. So this will become our lightweight charging alternative to the GrandDaddy of chargers, the JuiceBox, which we also love.
Here are some photos of the unpacking:
