On 23/09/2006, at 9:21 PM, Lord Groundhog wrote:
> ~~~ On 2006/09/23 01:53, MKow1234@aol.com at MKow1234@aol.com wrote ~~~
>
>> 4. Solar Cell Screen Cover -- Okay, I'm throwing in a bonus item
>> for the
>> suggestion box.
>> What if the screen cover contained an integrated solar cell to keep
>> the
>> battery level topped off? Dude...that'd be sweet.
>
> Wow! I love that idea. I don't know anything about this stuff but I
> guess
> it would take a bit of fiddling to make sure it didn't over-charge in
> very
> bright sunlight. But once it was done, it would be a great thing!
>
> Two small niggles based probably on my ignorance of the whole thing:
> would
> a solar cell panel be adequate protection for the screen without being
> something that needs its own protection? And, what would it do to the
> form
> factor of the Newt?
>
> That's not meant to be critical of what I reckon is a great idea. I'm
> just
> wondering about how it'll work.
>
> Shalom.
> Christian
Major solar panel types are Amorphous Silicone, Polycrystalline
Silicone, Monolithic Silicone and a couple others. First consideration,
although the panels are relatively lightweight, the glass to protect
them is hardened and heavy. I have a couple of monolithic panels(pure
panels from the BP Solar manufacturing plant) which produce 0.5V and
are rated at 1A on short circuit. These are about 200mm x 100mm in a
half octagon shape. They shatter like brittle ceramic. The size to
current factor is a major problem. To get smaller panels for a small
current, it's still gonna take up space. My MP2100 sits in a leather
case in my backpack, so I don't see how it's gonna always get a lot of
sun, maybe other people enjoy theirs outdoors, but I've found the lcd
goes black in the sunlight. Cost is your next consideration. To get
enough panels and manufacture these lids, it will be expensive. You
probably need 12V @ no load, but it depends on the solar panel
chemistry and what kind of regulation circuit you use, possibly a
surface mount circuit on the side of the lid. Just being realistic. :)
Regards,
- Adam Goddard
-- This is the NewtonTalk list - http://www.newtontalk.net/ for all inquiries Official Newton FAQ: http://www.chuma.org/newton/faq/ WikiWikiNewt for all kinds of articles: http://tools.unna.org/wikiwikinewt/Received on Sat Sep 23 09:00:44 2006
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