FAQ - ReadySet Solar Kit
How can I charge my iPhone or iPad?
The upper USB port on the ReadySet is set up to charge iPods and iPhones as well as other USB devices. iPhones/iPads have specific requirements for the USB data pins. The bottom port will charge all other standard USB powered devices.
How do I use the Universal Phone Battery Charger?
Download the ReadySet User Manual (link at top of Support Page). Instructions on how to use the Clip Charger are located on Page 28-29.
What are the ReadySet's dimensions?
The ReadySet is 8.9”L x 7.2”W x 3.7”H and weighs 7 lbs. Our solar panel is 17”L x 11”W x 0.9”H and weighs 3.8 lbs.
How long does it take to fully charge the ReadySet?
With Solar charging, this will depend up on the amount of available sunlight. In bright sun it will take one whole day to charge from empty to full. A complete charge may take 2–3 days in less than ideal conditions. The Readyset will charge in about 4-6 hours using grid electricity.
What kind of power output does the ReadySet have?
The ReadySet outputs DC power through two 5-volt USB ports (2 Amps max, 10W - combined) and two 12-volt Car Lighter Adapter ports (6 Amps max, 72W - combined). (If you want AC power, you can plug in an AC inverter. For more details, check below). The ReadySet holds 54Wh (watt hours) of energy, which is enough to recharge up to 10 mobile phones or provide 18 hours of light with the 3W LED bulb included in the kit.
What type of battery does the ReadySet use?
The ReadySet uses a 12V, 9000mAh battery - that’s 54 watt hours of energy. It’s an AGM battery with a chemistry tailored for high cycle life. In terms of charge cycles, we designed and tested the ReadySet in the field and found that you should get 500-1000 charge/discharge cycles. Practically speaking, a fully charged ReadySet will recharge up to 8 iPhones.
The battery is end user replaceable and replacements are readily available in the US (it’s a battery commonly used in computer UPS devices). Once we start shipping units we will post details on the replacement procedure and replacement battery sources on our website.
Can I use the ReadySet to charge my laptop?
Yes, but it depends on what kind of laptop you have. The ReadySet is capable of supplying up to 72W of power through its Car Lighter Adapter (CLA) ports so that means it can charge most laptops. Some laptops, however, require more than 72W so be sure to check the manufacturer’s charging specification. It’s important to note that although a fully charged ReadySet can power your laptop, its capacity will be a bit less than that of a high-end laptop battery. Believe us, we’re all for charging laptops with solar, but just remember that it may quickly deplete the ReadySet’s stored energy.
For further details on using inverters with the ReadySet, check below.
Can I use an AC inverter with the ReadySet?
Yes, you can. Here are a couple things to keep in mind. First, the ReadySet’s Car Lighter Adapter ports are designed to supply up to a maximum of 72W of power. There are a lot of AC inverters out there - some even capable of supplying hundreds of watts of power - so just remember that if you try to pull more than 72W out of the ReadySet, the intelligent electronics will automatically shut down to protect the unit from damage. Second, if you pull 72W from a fully charged ReadySet, the energy stored in the battery will be depleted in about 45 minutes. Many AC devices consume a surprising amount of power so you will want to pay close attention to the requirements of your device before attempting to power it with the ReadySet and an inverter. Check out these inverters that we’ve tested with the ReadySet: Enercell 75W Power Inverter, Targus APV10US1, and Sears DieHard 71522.
Do I need to use an AC inverter to power my devices?
Despite being plugged into the AC wall outlet, most of your electronics actually run on DC power. So, in these instances, you may be able to use DC adapters that convert the 12 volts coming from the Car Lighter Adapter (CLA) to the correct voltage required by your device. Here are a couple 12V DC adapters that we’ve tested with the ReadySet: Coby CA709 and Powerline 90305. Note, please exercise caution and make sure you know what you’re doing before using these. The wrong voltage or polarity could destroy your electronics.
Can I connect my own solar panel?
Absolutely! The ReadySet supports panels up to 75W with a nominal voltage between 16V to 60V - that’s about five of the solar panels included in the Fenix ReadySet Solar Kit. One thing to note is that due to the characteristics of the battery, we limit the maximum battery charge rate to 30W. However, if you are pulling power from the ReadySet while its charging you can pull an additional 30W from solar directly into your connected electronic devices for a total of 60W from the panel.
The ReadySet has a built in MPPT solar charge controller designed specifically for the characteristics of our battery so a controller is not necessary for charging. That’s because when you connect a solar panel, the ReadySet acts as a maximum power point tracking controller.
The solar panels included in the kit attach to the back of the unit using standard banana plugs and wire binding posts. The banana plugs can plug into each other allowing you to connect an endless number of panels in parallel to the ReadySet. If you have panels from other vendors, you will need to either cut the cables and use the wire wrap method shown on pages 10 and 11 of the user manual, or you will need to figure out an alternative way to connect your panel to the bind posts of the Readyset.
How does adding a second solar panel change the ReadySet's charging capacity?
Due to the nature of rechargeable batteries, powering the ReadySet with two solar panels won’t exactly halve the charge time in full sun conditions but will be close. Note that this is true for all batteries (AGM, Lithium, etc.). Two solar panels are very useful when you don’t have full sun. In overcast conditions, your 15W max solar panel might only deliver 5W (depending on conditions), so having two solar panels will double your solar power and double your charge rate.
Is the Velo bicycle generator available for purchase?
We’re working on it! We’re very excited about powering the ReadySet with the bike generator. Sign up for our newsletter so that you’ll be the first to know when they’re available.
Contact Support
If you have questions after reviewing our User Manual and FAQ (below), please contact us through our online Support Center.
