"product description" says: "longer charge times depending on weather conditions when charging by solar" Does it charge by solar power???
1376680
Goal Zero manufactures various solar panels and power packs, besides these portable speakers, so they add in that disclaimer on most of their items. By itself, the rockout has no charging ability. It has a macro-USB port to receive power, and almost all of Goal Zero's portable solar panels have USB outputs. Pair them up and you can charge the Rockout or any other USB powered device via sunlight. Charge times are also dependent on what size solar panel you are using. Their Nomad 3.5 will take a lot longer to charge this then say their Nomad 13.
1376681
It does not charge by solar power. It charges through a USB port. I think the charge life is great though. I played it for 3 straight days on the beach and still had battery life.
1376682
I did not receive a solar charger with mine. I think it means that if you are using a solar charger, not that it has built-in solar capability.
651878
It seems like it charges some. Mine died on me after hours of being on. Didn't think about turning off. Latter next day I noticed it was on. One note though The solar panel is small and not of the latest technology. I doubt you would get as good of charge if left on. Hope this helps some.
4314
This is not a good charger. Being that it has to be in the sun, it gets very hot. Batteries do not fully charge and if you plug something into it, it will burn up in the sun.
1734573
I don't know. mine is placed outside and gets direct sunlight part of the day and is in direct sunlight the rest of the day... and still it only gets enough charge to run every other night.
1643644
I think the instruction said something about how the solar charger will not charge the battery, just allow you to use it while it was shining. You might check online for the instruction Manual.
754353
I couldn't tell you... but mine will charge even on cloudy days. I'd say yours is defective.
1057528
Mine didn't come with a charger. I just put it by the window, and keep it charged. (it's probably overcharged, but always ready.) Today is a typical blah November day, very overcast with no sun in sight and it's charging. I've even noticed the charging light on when there's enough lamp light at night.
2040807
Mine said the seThing. Don't work. We have to spend more money for better solar charger sorry mate we lost out on this.
2259330
Naturally it will charge more with sun, although it will charge in cloudy weather too. You want to mount it facing south and I recommend making the mount hinged and adjust it accordingly for the seasons...more vertical in the winter when the sun in lower and more horizontal in the summer when the sun is higher, this will allow for optimal sun exposure. I also recommend using a deep cycle battery...I use two, along with at least a 10 amp charge controller...I use a 20 amp controller, I have had good luck with Instapark charge controllers and would recommend the brand over others that I have experience with, this goes for the solar panel as well. Naturally it will charge more with sun, although it will charge in cloudy weather too. You want to mount it facing south and I recommend making the mount hinged and adjust it accordingly for the seasons...more vertical in the winter when the sun in lower and more horizontal in the summer when the sun is higher, this will allow for optimal sun exposure. I also recommend using a deep cycle battery...I use two, along with at least a 10 amp charge controller...I use a 20 amp controller, I have had good luck with Instapark charge controllers and would recommend the brand over others that I have... » Read More Naturally it will charge more with sun, although it will charge in cloudy weather too. You want to mount it facing south and I recommend making the mount hinged and adjust it accordingly for the seasons...more vertical in the winter when the sun in lower and more horizontal in the summer when the sun is higher, this will allow for optimal sun exposure. I also recommend using a deep cycle battery...I use two, along with at least a 10 amp charge controller...I use a 20 amp controller, I have had good luck with Instapark charge controllers and would recommend the brand over others that I have experience with, this goes for the solar panel as well. « Show Less
1682568
I agree with everyone, I allowed it to charge for 2 -3 days in the sunlight before using, then waited till dark and gently pushed the pin. Mine works great - I have only had one occasion with several rainy days in a row that it did not work -- I just took it inside turned it off and let it recharge in a sunny window - turned it back on and it has worked flawlessly ever since.
1597574
It depends on how often the light is triggered, and how much sun the solar panel receives when it's not rainy. If it's light, but overcast (or rainy) the panel will charge the light, but not as much as the panel in full sunlight.My panel and light are mounted in a location that does not get much traffic, and the light is not often triggered. I imagine that the batteries remain pretty charged, but I couldn't say what would happen if the light was triggered often, and the panel didn't receive full sunlight for a long period of time.
1334721
It doesn't charge phone from sun. It charges 2 AA batteries and those batteries in turn will charge your phone. And it takes a while...
277439
It'll take a couple days over the solar. I use mine more as a spare battery and charge it up over the micro USB and save the solar charging for when I'm up camping and need it for some emergency power. USB charging is maybe a couple hours. Charges my phone fast. They have to be fully charged to use both USB ports.
40889
Charging needs AC power As long as your solar panel has an inverter to make AC source, surely you can charge But this product is no good. I do not suggest buying it.
2115733
The pamphlet inside says that it takes 15-20 hours of sunlight to charge.It doesn't work at all on my tablet. On my Android phone a full charge of this device lasts about 40 minutes and only gives me about 12-17%.
2049927
My panels are wired in series with 12 other panels so I couldn't read each one without putting an amp meter on them individually. The system turns on before sunrise (05:30 here in Tucson) and runs until 7pm in the summer. The summer months allow approx. 12hrs of fully capacity charging and the winter months allow 10 hrs. Non peak charging accounts for the additional 1 or hours I mentioned before when the system first turns on and before it shuts off.
161286
Hey Ron,I really didn't think that it would charge all that it does, but it will charge just about anything. It's not as quick as a electric charger, but it get's the job done and that's all that matters. They also have these rechargeable, (Light & dark blue battery's that they say can be recharged over a 1000 times,) so you may want to check them out as well. The price is right! Happy Holidays my friend and these solar products are awesome and worth the money!Ron