SOLAR ChumAlong Solar Power System

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Solar power has remained a bit of an oddity when it comes to its acceptance as a wide-spread alternative power source. It probably has something to do with the cost of making the photovoltaic cells or the fact that no matter what device is created with solar power in mind they always look like something out of Weird Science. That being said, there are places where solar power has found acceptance: highway signage lighting, backyard landscaping lights, and, of course, the calculator. But what about the nerd on the go that needs power for his gadgets in the middle of nowhere? Enter the SOLAR ChumAlong Solar Tracking System.

Bad name aside (it makes me think of shark fishing for some reason) this is actually a cool little gizmo. The ChumAlong is designed to act as a portable solar power collection device that will actually follow the sun as it moves across the sky. This ensures that you will always get the best possible reflectance directly into the panel cells. This little feature is supposed to be able to increase your collection efficiency by as much as 50% over stationary panels. The unit includes micro-controller technology, single axis positioning, geared stepper motor gear/worm gear drive train, four optical sensors, three LED modes, auto wake up and shutdown, and so much more. Everything you could ask for in a portable solar collection device.

The SOLAR ChumAlong is a great gadget for the green set. Here’s what you get for your money:

• Micro-controller Technology
• Single Axis positioning, East-West Direction
• Geared Stepper motor gear/Worm gear drive train
• 4 optical sensors
• Low power- Only draws 5-15mA standby/~150mA during positioning
• Samples ambient light ~ every 10 seconds
• Auto shutdown at dusk
• Auto Wake up and seek on sunrise
• 3 indicator LED modes (sampling, standby, positioning)
• Derives power from battery being charged
• 5-Watt solar panel, Rollable, 300ma @15.4vdc output
• Diode blocking for reverse polarity protection
• Brass boom support rods
• User-Friendly elevation adjustment
• Bias adjustment for ‘On-Target’ positioning

Includes:

• 1- 5W Flexible Solar Panel
• 1- Controller Base w/Boom Support
• 4- Brass Boom Support Rods
• 1- Solar Sensor
• 1- 12V DC Power Cable w/Clip Leads
• 1- 15ft/4.6-m Solar Panel Extension cord
• 1- 12V Cigarette Lighter Adapter Cord

On the downside, it doesn’t come with the 12V rechargeable battery that the unit needs to function and I really couldn’t tell how you are supposed to connect electrical devices to the ChumAlong to power them. It would have been nice to have those little details taken care of to make it a true out-of-the-box toy. You can purchase your own little slice of solar heaven at www.scientificsonline.com for $399.