LivEcoFriendly

Monday, May 30, 2011

What Solar Power Kits To Consider?

Do you remember when your camping and the power on the electronics goes out, and you are just wishing you had portable power for camping? It is a real issue no matter if your one of those campers who doesn’t believe in having mobile devices in the wilderness or not. The reason for this is that emergencies can happen at anytime and knowing this before being prepared is just as foolish as not taking certain medicines with food even though you know you should. Campers from all over the world are becoming more interested in what portable solar power systems are actually available to use when their camping. In this article, I will cover some of the best solar power kits camping and outdoor adventurers love.

The first solar item I will discuss for those who need portable power for camping is the Sherpa 120 Explorer Kit. This solar kit is more than enough power for camping groups of 3 or more unless you plan on being on a laptop for the majority of the day. It is perfect for small to med families because you can charge all of your mobile devices, your laptops and you will even have power for a hotplate if you don’t want to start a fire. The Sherpa 120 comes with a 27watt foldable solar panel, 120 battery pack and an inverter. This is quite excellent if you think long term and convenience. Most people forget that when you purchase solar power that you can use it over and over it and also for other things like emergencies at home for example power outages. As for as convenience, you can put these items into a duffel bag or backpack, no problem and go. And the way this solar power kit is set up, you can easily plug in play and not worry about those extra wires and terminals and car batteries. It is honestly a headache if you thought about it long term, plus you really can’t afford to leave to those dangling wires in the rain because they will short circuit much quicker and then you are out of luck. Also, trying try and get the right solar panel that is durable and you will soon realize what I had to realize about raw solar panels. They suck when trying to do adventures and exciting outdoor trips. I could go on but I know you want me to go to the next solar kit.

The next portable power kit for campers is the pocket solar charger. When I saw this, the price alone just blew me away, I thought it was way too expensive until I read more about it. This solar charger providers up to 12,000 milli amps. In case you don’t know what that means and you want the plain English explanation. It means that once you charge this thing either by USB cable or by sun, you can charge your mobile cell phone or gaps unit more than once. Up to 4 or more times. You see most portable solar chargers are able to charge your device about once or twice and then you have to recharge. I know this because of what the specs say about them and also I know what power my iphone has. I had purchased the iphone surge and realized it made for a better battery backup, but I could only charge about 2 times and then I had to charge again. I still love my surge, but I wish I could charge it, then charge it and again and again without having to run to my computer’s usb port. The best way when you are purchasing those smaller end solar power chargers is checking out the mAh. If you have a high capacity mAh, then you know that you can charge your mobile devices more often, most mobile devices are 1500 mah or more. Most of the solar chargers on the market do not actually provide that kind of power so you end up being upset. I hope this tip alone helps you decide, I will place the link to this retailer that offers this product.

The finally portable power kit for camping I will offer to you is the Base Camp Solar Kit. This powerful solar power kit is able to produce over 500 watts of power and can be added to or taken away. Let me explain further, inside of the package includes 4 solar panels, all 30 watts, 4 light a life lanterns, 1 inverter and 2x350 battery packs. You can choose to buy more solar panels or batteries or you may choose to take only what you need for your trip. Perfect for those who live crazy adventurous lives and want to take away and leave. With this kind power and lighting solution, you can have your entire base camp lit up and powered up. This is also extremely helpful in case of emergencies and families that have small children. You will be able to keep lamps on, warm food with the microwave and also have a portable dvd player plugged in to entertain children.

As you can see, there are many options for those seeking solar power for camping trips. From portable solar chargers to medium sized kits to full blown solar kits for entire camp site, portable power for camping is possible and an excellent way to prepare for any camping or adventure trip.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

What Green Products To Purchase?

Are you interested in knowing what the top green products?  There are already hundreds of online retailers that offer these kinds of products and their product lines increase every month. In this article, we will cover some of the green friendly products which are available to consumers.  When choosing eco friendly products there is some misunderstanding about what is considered green friendly.  The difference is in the manufacturing and then the use of the product being used.  Also remember that going green or to livecofriendly is not a destination but a journey.  As long as the manufacturers who product products that are made with recycled parts or if they are trying to be the best at green friendly practices then they are to be considered an eco friendly company.  However there are some that are said to be eco friendly but they are not practicing it in their business or manufacturing.  But it can be a pain at times as we all know but just keep at it little by little.  Remember this is a change for the better long term. Plus, no one is perfect but everyone can do a little.  We can reuse paper to take notes and write on instead of using it once and throwing it away.  That is just one form of being green friendly.

Okay, lets move onto what green products you should consider.  The first one I will discuss are bamboo bathrobes.  Did you know that bamboo is a tree and is then each fiber is processed and then intertwined into fabrics?  That is how  bamboo bathrobes and other bamboo products are constructed.  You can consider wearing something soft and chemical free on your skin while knowing that it came from the earth and is not hurting it in anyway.

The next eco friendly product that you can consider purchasing organic coffee.  Organic coffee is new at least to the mainstream audience.  One thing about organic coffees is the way it is processed once it the coffee bean has grown.  You can be sure that some coffee beans have been sprayed with harsh chemicals which increases their growth rate which is basically very bad for our bodies.  Organic coffee beans are organic when they have been grown naturally and processed without any harsh chemicals.  When you are thinking about buying organic coffee, make sure you read about it on the manufacturer’s website that they indeed do not use chemicals on their coffee beans.

Moving onto another green product are solar power chargers.  Most manufacturers are realizing that if they are not taking action on their end to make their products some how eco-friendly, then they will soon be out of business. Manufacturers are doing their best to find products which are recycled and bring those into their production lines.  This is a 2 way beneficial street for them in regards to running a business.  It is less expensive to get recycled parts and remold them into their products instead of finding raw products and producing them from scratch.  There are some companies that have been able to figure out the which products will work perfectly in line and can honestly claim their product is completely eco-friendly from the parts to even the consumer usage. 

Now that you have had a quick overview of what green friendly products are on the market.  You may want to start your own search of eco friendly products.  Of course you probably already know there are lots more than what we mentioned hear, but this will help you to better what green products are. 

Thursday, May 26, 2011

What Solar Emergency Power Kit To Purchase?

Are you interested in buying solar emergency power but not sure which solar power kit is right for you? Perhaps you are already interested in buying but need more information about what the best ones are out there and people are actually purchasing. In this article, I will cover the best emergency solar power kits that are on the market. We will cover portable solar power kits and solar generators and depending on where you are reading this article, you will find links throughout here or at the end of the article, either way make sure you click on them in order to find more details about the products I am discussing here.

We will start with the backup emergency solar power generators for home owners and small families. The Powersource 1800 Solar Generator is the top of the line when it comes to backup solar power. It supplies power for your hotplates, microwaves, tv, laptops, cell phones and provides up to 1800 watts of usable power. It comes with everything included once it is delivered to your home for you to plug and play. There is a 90 watt solar panel that sits on a rolling system so you can easily move the panels around as needed. Inside of the generator itself is where the bloodline of the whole system is, with a 1800 watt battery bank that is cased in a durable shell. On the outside of the generator are 4 power outlets where you can plug in multiple items like Tvs and cell phones. And the other side of the generator is where you plug in the 50 foot cable that connects to the solar panel. Also, that 50 foot cable is included and is tough so it can withstand heat as well as cold or other harsh conditions.

Imagine being able to provide warm food for your children and heat for your wife while sleeping. This is something that all parents should be considering when they are thinking about backup power systems and other emergency solar power kits. The Powersource 1800 Solar Generator has been discussed all over the web about pricing, affordability, usefulness and the ones they are complaining are whiners in do it yourself forums. If you were to think about how often you have time to research electricity, how wattages and volts work, and what types of solar panels to get, as well as when you purchase solar panels unless you’re a business owner who is able to get a wholesale pricing on panels, you will end up paying retail for solar panels elsewhere and that is only 1/10th of the work that is included to get solar generator set up on your own. That is why so many people are realizing how important it is to just simply buy the solar generator instead of go to school to become a electrician, solar expert and the other much needed knowledge that goes into actually building a solar generator like amp loads, volt controllers and power meter readers. The whole concept just confuses me entirely. If you are ready to learn more about the Powersource 1800 Solar Generator, please click on the available link.

The second best solar emergency power kit is the Solar Base Camp Kit. This solar power kit is able to provider a much more portable solar solution and can be used for camping and other outdoor professional uses. It’s main purpose is to provider consumers with power anywhere and is not aimed at only emergency power. The Base Camp Solar Kit is perfect for those seeking both an emergency solar power solution as well as a recreational solar kit. It comes with 4x30 Watt Solar Panels, 2x350 Watt Batteries, 4 Lanterns, Universal Inverter,1 Wall Adapter, and 1 12v Male Cigarette adapter. Once you buy the Base Camp Solar Kit, you can have it set up within 1 hour after all the unpacking and taking the panels out of the box. One of the reasons that consumers love this practically solar kit is that because it is more portable than the Powersource 1800 because the panels are split into 4 and the batteries are a but bigger than car batteries but has the same shape. Parents love this as well because they know they can use it for their vacations, picnics, camping and of course for emergency solar power. Another excellent feature that comes with this solar power kit is your ability to add more solar panels and batteries as well as lanterns so you can have more power and lights around your base camp or emergency shelter. The charge times are fast than more solar power kits that you will find on the market today and many consumers are purchasing these because they can take the power they need for their specific trip and leave the rest at home.

Now for what it powers, it provides over 600 watts of power and can charge just about anything. Do you have a small family that needs their smartphones charged? Possibly you want to get some work done while you are camping, just plug in your laptop power cord directly into the inverter and you will immediately start receiving power. There is also the option to add more inverters or a power strip so you can charge more than one device. The power strip is not included but it is a good idea that I figured I should share with you so you have better understanding that you could honestly charge more than one device at a time even if it comes with inverter.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

How To Choose Solar Power Kits?

Are you thinking about buying a solar power kit but not sure how to choose? With all the companies that offer solar systems for consumers it can be a bit overwhelming, especially when they don’t supply you with the answers you want before you purchase. In this article, we will list the factors to consider before buying a solar kit.

Factors When Buying

1) The first factor to consider when purchasing your solar power kit is the actual need you have. Some consumers have purchased for many reasons from camping trips to emergency backup units to other outdoor adventures. There are a lot of different uses a solar kit can bring from just one unit alone. Consumers enjoy taking their portable solar kit with them while camping and then when there finished with their camping trips, they simply charge it one last time and store it until they camp again or if an emergency happens. While there are other consumers who prefer using their solar power kit as their backup unit for their entire family and will purchase a big solar unit. And their decision also is to purchase many solar kits. They will purchase a solar generator and then purchase other smaller solar kits for when they are on vacation or during work travels as well as camping trips for certain families. Remember your needs when purchasing a solar power kit.

2) The second factor to consider is understanding your power capacity needs. If your planning a camping trip and only need power for laptops and hotplates, then of course a 1800 watt solar generator might be too much unless you bring an RV and want power for that as well. However, you certainly will need more than 10 watts of power like some chargers claim that can do it all. Most camping consumers will purchase a 120 watt solar kit if they want to charge cell phones, cameras, laptops and hot plates. Some customers are even purchasing a 150 watt solar kit for their sleep apnea machines. Be sure you know how much power you need and for what items before your out in the wilderness or wherever you end up without a power source.

3) The third factor to consider when purchasing a portable solar kit is portability. If you’re looking for a survival kit for on the go type of power, then making sure that you can lift and carry a solar kit is something that you should remember before you purchase. Now for those looking for a portable kit that provides lots of power like 1500 watts or more, then make sure you have someone who can lift it, because the more power you require, usually the heavier the units become. Most solar kits are portable already however the weight might make it seem like its not meant to be moved, this is not true just a misunderstanding.

4) The fourth factor to consider when buying is making sure that its waterproof. This is mostly for the outdoor adventurer consumers. Knowing that the gear you purchase can withstand cold, heat, rain and even snow are serious factors that should not be overlooked. It would be very upsetting to know that you purchased a solar system only to find out that it can withstand a little sprinkle or extreme heat. This of course means that you are not to submerge your electronics into water, because that would be foolish. You have to remember that solar power should be treated like your mobile cell phone. You don’t drop your iphone into water however if it’s raining and your going to your vehicle and are on the phone, once your inside your vehicle, you usually dry your iphone with your shirt or cloth. That is the same thing with solar kits, you can let them be in the rain, but taking care of them will results in better future uses.

5) The fifth factor to consider when purchasing a solar kit is the warranty thats offered. Make sure that the manufacturer offers some kind of warranty. Most manufacturers offer a 1 year or even 2 year warranty to ensure that customers will be taken care of it their solar panel or solar system is not charging correctly.

6) The sixth factor to consider when purchasing a solar power kit is if it included a battery bank. You will find many solar chargers that are cheap and can truly charge your device. However, they might not include a battery bank to store your power. They usually will hook directly into your device and charge it, but once the sun goes down and your device is dead. You are back to square one which is with no power. Be sure that your solar system has some kind of battery system in place to store that extra energy once your device is powered up so when the sun goes down or your device is dead, you can power from the battery system and not wait up to 8 hours for more power.

Charge Times

When you're thinking about charge times, you must remember that you are using solar energy directly from the sun, so the charge times will be longer. However, as the demand increases so does the manufacturers who create these solar systems, because they come with newer inventions and technologies. Another key point to remember is the size of the solar panel. The bigger the solar panel, the faster the charge time. If charging a cell phone that is completely dead and you don't have a battery bank hooked up or the battery bank is dead as well then the charge time will be shorter but if you just want some power to make an emergency call, then your charge time should be no longer than 2 hours in direct sunlight. But remember that charge time will be able to get your phone power and make a call, however if your trying to charge a cell phone to full battery, it could take up to 8 hours max. Most of LivEcoFriendly's solar power kits have a charge time for cell phones and laptops in the 2-11 hour range, it really depends on what your looking to charge.

Can I Charge Anything?

The simple answer to this is, yes! You can honestly charge anything you want with a solar power kit. It is exactly like electricity, but be sure you purchase something with an inverter for quick plug and play action. Also, if you don't purchase something with an inverter, make sure it has a somewhat easy assembly. You don't want to connect plugs here and there and then blow a fuse or blow a circuit in your device or the solar system. The hard part that people are realizing is the charge times and watts and such. In order to determine what you can charge with certain solar kits, you have to read on your device what the wattage is. The number of watts are the indication of how much power is needed to power your device at best performance. It is best practice to purchase more power than what your device requires however you can of course have a smaller solar kit that sends power to your laptop or other device, but remember that the charge time will increase and that is one of the reasons that our customers purchase a bigger system. Also because they realize they can use it in emergencies and charge more items as time goes on.

These are the basic key points for purchasing any solar power kit, knowing this will help you be more educated for future solar purchases. Most consumers don't know about this, so now you will be ahead of your friends and family when they are thinking about buying a solar kit. Just be sure to recommend LivEcoFriendly.com for their purchasing location. View our solar power systems by clicking on one of the options below:

Powersource 1800 Solar Generator

Sherpa 120 Explorer Kit

Compact & Powerful Pocket Sized Solar Charger

Let’s review real quick:

1)Needs- What do you need this solar kit for?
2)Power Capacity-Know how much power you need.
3)Portability-Will you require a lot of moving around?
4)Waterproof-Make sure your solar kit can withstand all conditions
5)Warranty-Be sure that there is a warranty from the manufacturer.
6)Battery Bank-Check to see if your solar kit includes a battery system.