Spark Solar Portable Device Charger Solar iPad Charger

What do these bags charge?

The Spark will charge most tablets that charge from USB including the iPad as well as handheld electronics including most cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, satellite phones, cameras and GPS systems.

Do tablets charge differently than other handheld electronics?

Tablets have nearly 5X the capacity of batteries than a typical smartphone. To charge one efficiently, you need to output more power. The Spark battery has a high-power port which outputs 2 Amps (at 5 Volts) for fast tablet charging and a normal 500mA port for charging smaller devices.

Why do the bags include a battery?

The battery stores power so you can even charge your devices inside or outside when the sun is not shining. You can charge the battery from the sun, the USB charging cable or an optional wall or DC car charger.

Will I make it through Airport Security?

Most Likely. The Voltaic team and our customers have been through many security checkpoints. While we get interested looks and comments, we have never been blocked. TSA regulations allow you to bring an Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer battery (like our battery or your cell phone) with you as part of your carry-on luggage.

What will happen if the bag gets wet?

The solar panels are waterproof and so will not be affected. The recycled PET used to construct the bag is also waterproof. However, water will eventually seep in through the zips and seams, so the contents can get wet. The only electrical component likely to be adversely affected is the battery pack, which you should treat as you would any other electronic device and keep it dry.

What care do the panels require?

Scratches on the face of the solar panels will reduce the amount of light hitting the solar cells and reduce the power generated, so it is best to avoid scratching them. The panels are coated with a material that will actually melt away some scratches when exposed to the sun.

Dirt on the panels has a similar effect. To clean them use a damp non-abrasive cloth.

Are the solar panels breakable?

They can be broken, but are unlikely to be damaged in typical use. They can easily stand up to being dropped and leaned on.

If you were to place the panel over a rock and stand on it you would cause the cells to crack, which would reduce the output of that panel. Since the three panels operate independently the other two would continue to provide sufficient charge to run most small devices, but charge times would increase.

What does the LED in the logo indicate?

When the LED inside the logo lights up, it indicates that the solar panels are generating a charge. However, you should always look at the battery directly to see if the panels are producing enough power to charge the battery.

How do you get the best charging results?

For maximum power output, face the panels towards the sun. If the panels are in direct sunlight but not angled towards the sun the power declines by about 20%. When they are angled away from the sun the power drops off by up to 90%.

Will the Voltaic bag charge iPads?

Yes. Connect the USB charging cable which connects to the high power port on the battery pack to charge the iPad or other tablet.

Will the Voltaic bag charge DSLR camera batteries?

Yes, although you will need a charging cradle that is designed to fit your battery. To get sufficient Voltage to charge a 7.4V battery (most DSLR cameras), you will need to set the Voltage selector to 12V and connect directly to the solar panels. We carry several camera chargers, but if you don't see yours listed, let us know.

What should I do if the battery pack is flat and I need to charge something?

As soon as the battery pack receives a charge (from either the solar panels, the AC charger, or the car charger) you can begin to charge your device.

When using solar power, it is more efficient to let the battery pack partially charge (to two lights on the charge indicator) before plugging in the device. However, if you have both a flat phone battery and a flat battery pack, you should be able to plug in your phone, angle the bag towards the sun, turn on the battery and make a call.

My device isn't charging, what should I do?

First see the basic instructions below. If the device does not charge even though the battery pack is charged, you have the correct adapter, and the voltage setting is that required for the device, then the device is likely designed to only work with a manufacturer supplied charger, or at a very specific voltage.

In this case the best thing to do is use a manufacturer supplied USB charger and plug it into the battery. Please also feel free to contact us at customercare@ecogeekliving.com

What if I need to charge a device and the sun has set or I am inside?

This is part of the reason we included a battery in the Voltaic bags. The battery stores energy generated by the solar panels until you need it, and will hold a charge for months. So even when you can't get access to the sun, you can plug a device into the battery pack and charge from that.

The battery can also be recharged from any USB port, or from the optional AC travel charger and the DC car charger, so you can use whatever power sources are available to keep the battery topped up.

What should I do if I need more than 5V?

The maximum voltage output of the battery pack is 5V. Some devices may require a higher voltage (such as some larger digital cameras). You can also connect directly to the solar panels and get 12 Volts. You will need to switch the Voltage selector from 6 to 12V (the Voltaic battery charges best at 6V).

How do you know how much charge is in the battery pack?

Disconnect the power source and press button to show battery level. 1 light < 25%, 2 lights < 50%, 3 lights < 75%, 4 lights > 75% full. LEDs flash when battery is nearly empty. If no lights come on, the battery is flat.

What do the lights on the battery pack indicate?

LEDs light sequentially when charging. Solid LEDs indicate portion of battery charged.