{"id":14690,"date":"2015-09-11T12:00:04","date_gmt":"2015-09-11T16:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=14690"},"modified":"2015-09-11T12:00:04","modified_gmt":"2015-09-11T16:00:04","slug":"review-the-waka-waka-power-portable-solar-charger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/review-the-waka-waka-power-portable-solar-charger\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: the Waka Waka Power+ portable solar charger"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"IMG_20150903_153124413_HDR\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In my role as director of our\u00a0501(c)(3) charity, ETOW<\/a>, I’m always on the lookout for technologies that could improve the lives of those living at or below the poverty line in remote and\u00a0sometimes\u00a0politically-charged\u00a0regions of the world\u00a0that\u00a0are usually\u00a0off-grid. At ETOW, we prefer simple, rugged technologies that require no learning curve, that\u00a0can be easily\u00a0maintained, and that\u00a0offer\u00a0exceptional benefit to our users. Self-powered radios, of course, are \u00a0ETOW’s mainstay, but we’ve also provided digital recording and playback devices, solar and hand-cranked power generation, and, of course, lighting<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When I first learned about the Waka Waka Power+, I had ETOW in mind. I reached out to Waka Waka and they sent a sample for me to evaluate.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The flip cover, which acts as a stand, offers\u00a0detents which allow the user\u00a0to angle the solar panel for optimum solar tracking.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Waka Waka Power+ is a small, lightweight portable power supply built on a 2200 mAh LiPo battery pack. A\u00a0built-in solar panel occupies\u00a0one full side of the device, which\u00a0charges the battery when placed in sunlight. \u00a0On the other side of the device\u2013behind a flip cover\u2013is a large round power button and two protected Cree LED lights.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_20150903_153233479\"<\/a>

After charging my Tecsun PL-380, the Power+ still had about 50% of its battery available.<\/p><\/div>\n

On top side of the Power+ is a row of four green LEDs that indicate the battery level.<\/p>\n

The body seems to be made of a\u00a0very<\/em> durable plastic designed to operate in\u00a0temperatures up to 80 \u00b0C (175 \u00b0F). It has a smooth surface and gasketed USB ports. The LEDs are protected behind clear lenses.<\/p>\n

Flashlight<\/h2>\n

Let’s face it: operation of this flashlight is dead simple. \u00a0N<\/em>o learning curve here, which suits ETOW’s\u00a0use brilliantly. \u00a0And brilliance, indeed, is what the device provides.<\/p>\n

Press the large power button once to check\u00a0the battery status; press twice, and the LED lamps are\u00a0activated at their brightest setting\u2013about 70 lumens, which lasts about 10 hours on full charge.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_20150903_153206958\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Each consecutive press decreases the LED brightness for\u00a0a total of four brightness settings. The lowest LED setting (about 5 lumens) is perfect for reading, and should increase the light’s longevity to approximately 150 hours with a full charge.<\/p>\n

Emergency? \u00a0If you press and hold the power button for two seconds, the Power+ will flash “SOS” in Morse Code.<\/p>\n

The Power+ also has a hole in the tilt base that allows you to perch it on top of pretty much any bottle and become a table lamp.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_20150903_200110270\"

I used a bottle of single-malt, but any bottle will do!<\/p><\/div>\n

You can also loop\u00a0a string through\u00a0the central\u00a0hole and hang the Power+ from the ceiling\u2013or the roof of your car or tent\u2013for an overhead lamp. Fantastic design for useability!<\/p>\n

Charging<\/h2>\n

The Power+ has two USB ports:<\/p>\n