Freeloader SC8088 (Grey) User manual

Electrical Characteristics / Performance
1. Solar Panel (mono/multi crystalline): 5.5V 120mA
2. Rechargeable Lithium Battery: 3.7V 1000mAh
3. USB charging cable: 5V 500mA
4. DC Output: 5.5V+/– 0.5% 500mA
5. Time required to deliver power from Freeloader:
30 minutes to 1 hour
6. Time required to charge the FreeLoader internal
battery using the USB charge cable: 3 to 4 hours
7. Time required to charge the FreeLoader internal
battery in sunny conditions using the solar panels:
5 to 10 hours
Note - light quality plays a key role in determining the speed
of charge. Cloudy days or the Freeloader being positioned
behind a glass window will all increase the time needed to
charge its battery.
Components Included:
1 x FreeLoader charger; 1 x USB charge cable
1 x Power Master cable; 1 x Adaptor for Nintendo DS Lite
1 x Adaptor for Motorola mobile phone
1 x Adaptor for LG Chocolate Series Phones
2 x Adaptors for Nokia mobile phones
2 x Adaptors for Samsung mobile phones
2 x Adaptors for Sony Ericsson mobile phones
1 x 4mm jack plug for PSP, Tom Tom, digital camera etc
1 x USB 2.0 Female socket cable for iPod, PDA’s etc
1 x Mini USB adaptor for Motorola RAZR, Blackberry etc
PORTABLE SOLAR ENERGY
User Manual
Portable Solar Energy
Models:
SC8088 (Grey)
SC8089 (Pink)
Freeloader's aluminium skin and solar panels are
protected during transit by a transparent fi lm.
Remove the fi lm before fi rst use!
Operation Instructions:
1. To charge using the USB charge cable
Insert the USB plug into a desk top PC, lap top or other
suitable device which is switched ON. Insert the other
end of the cable (mini USB) into FreeLoader’s body.
The central LED (B) will turn red. Once fully charged
the LED will turn green and the USB charging cable
should be removed.
Note - do not leave the USB charge cable plugged in
overnight as damage to the battery may occur.
Do not charge using USB whilst delivering power to
a devise at the same time.
Important - This method of charging is
recommended for the fi rst charge from new
and may take up to 8 hours
2. To charge from the solar panels
Remove the clear fi lm from both solar panels before
fi rst use. Detach the solar panels from the body of
FreeLoader and separate the two halves exposing the
face of each solar panel. The end of the solar panel
that has the two locating lugs should then be inserted
into the side of FreeLoader’s body – one solar panel
each side.
When the solar panels are facing the sun, the two
LED’s (A and C) will turn red. The brighter the light,
the faster the charge.
Note - be careful not to scratch the surface of the
solar panels and do not clean with strong detergent.
.2.
.1. .3. .4.
3. To charge hand held electrical devices
Insert the male end of the Master cable into the female
socket on FreeLoader’s body. Select the correct adaptor tip,
insert into the female end of the Master cable and connect
to your device. The central LED (B) will turn RED. Once
FreeLoader’s battery is empty the LED will switch OFF.
Warning
1. Keep FreeLoader’s body away from fi re, water and any form
of moisture to ensure damage and injury do not result.
2. Any sever shock or impact may result in damage and will
invalidate the warranty.
3. It is forbidden to dismantle FreeLoader except by Solar
Technology personnel or agents appointed by Solar
Technology. Any sign of tampering will result in the
warranty being invalidated.
KEY TO LED DISPLAYS
LIGHT A LIGHT B LIGHT C EXPLANATION
RED OFF RED Charging form solar panels
OFF RED OFF Charging from USB or sending charge to mobile divice
OFF GREEN OFF Fullly charged from USB
Please note: There is no indication to confi rm that Freeloader is fully
charged when using the solar cells to charge, but prolonged exposure
of Freeloader to sun/daylight will not damage the battery because of its
in-built advanced charge control electronics.
We recommend that you charge your
FreeLoader via USB for its fi rst charge
1. Solar Panel
2. Power in (for USB charge cable)
3. Power out (for master cable)
4. LED Indicator
A. Solar charging indication LED
B. USB charging and discharging LED
C. Solar charging indication LED

.7.
.6. .8. .9.
.5.
Warranty
FreeLoader is supplied with a 12 month warranty, excluding
the battery. Should a failure occur during this time Solar
Technology International Ltd will repair or replace any faulty
part, at its discretion.
Solar Technology International Ltd does not accept liability
for any 3rd party damage how so ever caused or any costs
associated with the return postage of faulty products.
To make a warranty claim please telephone Solar Technology
International Ltd on [phone].
These warranty conditions in no way affect your statutory
rights. A full set of Solar Technology International Ltd terms
and conditions are available on request.
Optional Accessories
Solar Technology International Ltd provide a comprehensive
range of accessories for Freeloader, which is constantly
being updated as new devices come onto the market.
Our accessory range covers the following: Spare
Freeloader battery, AA/AAA Battery Charger; In car
charge adaptor; Mains charge adaptor; Carry pouch
for Freeloader and connectors plus over 20 additional
connection tips.
Please contact your retailer for the full range or go to
www.solartechnology.co.uk
Disposal of used FreeLoader’s battery
Please dispose of FreeLoader’s battery responsibly. Should
you be unable to find a suitable waste disposal unit for the
battery, please return this in a sealed plastic bag, contained
in a padded envelope to Solar Technology International Ltd.
WE WANT YOUR PICTURES!
We are seeking images of you and your Freeloader in
action in the weirdest and most wonderful places around
the world. For every picture we publish on our web site
you will receive a complimentary Freeloader Battery/Hub
worth £12.99.
Please email your images to [e-mail]
and don't forget to include your mailling address.
Note: We cannot guarantee to publish every image
received - the final decision to publish or not will be made
by Solar Technology International Ltd. By sending the
image the sender automatically grants Solar Technology
International Ltd approval to use the image for any future
use in marketing its Freeloader product.
(Version 3.5)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. My Freeloader has been outside, in the sun but when
I connected it to my device, it only charged for a short
time and did not deliver much power?
• Please ensure the first charge is given by the USB cable.
• Please make sure you have removed the protective
film from the solar cells as this will radically reduce the
effectiveness of the cells.
• Please ensure Freeloader is given exposure to sunny
conditions for between 5 to 10 hours.
• Ensure the Freeloader is outside, facing south, in an un-
shaded position and ideally tilted at a 45 degree angle.
• If Freeloader is connected to a device that has a near full
battery (if for example you were testing Freeloader from
new), Freeloader would, potentially, not deliver power
because if the battery in the device has more or equal
power than the Freeloader, Freeloader will not be able to
deliver power. Wait until the device to be charged is 50%
to 60% full.
2. How do I know when the Freeloader hub is fully
charged and can I use the power from Freeloader even
if it’s not fully charged?
• There is no indication Freeloader gives when its battery
hub is fully charged from the solar cells. However, this
is not strictly necessary because Freeloader will deliver
power whatever state of charge is in its battery hub except
if the hub is completely empty.
3. What performance I can expect from Freeloader?
• After 1 day in full sun (9am to 6pm) the Freeloader hub
will be pretty much fully charged. When connected to
your device it will deliver power for 20minutes to 1hour
depending on the device.
Solar Technology International Ltd
We are manufacturers of some of the worlds most
advanced solar energy products from solar toys to
full scale industrial solar modules. To find out more
please visit www.solartechnology.co.uk
If you have any questions about this product or
regarding these instructions please contact the
Solar Technology International Technical Help Line
on [phone] or alternatively please
write to:
Solar Technology International Ltd, Unit 1, Malmesbury
Road, Kingsditch Trading Estate, Cheltenham, GL51
9PL, UK
• If Freeloader is positioned behind a window, again
facing south for a 1day charge in full sun conditions
the time needed to fully charge Freeloader’s battery will
be up to 3 days. The reason for this increase in time is
that most glass incorporates UV filters, which naturally
reduce the amount of irradiation needed to enable
solar panels to operate effectively.
• In cloudy conditions, Freeloader may take approximately
1 1/2 times longer to charge than the above mentioned
times, but this is depending on the time of year, density
of cloud etc.
4. Can I charge my Freeloader hub whilst at the same
time powering a device?
• No. If Freeloader’s hub is empty you will not be able
to simultaneously charge and deliver power. The
reason is that Freeloader delivers power to a device
approximately 10 times quicker than its solar cells can
charge up its hub.
5. Will charging Freeloader from its solar cells behind
glass cause me any problems?
• Not really a problem but it will increase the time
needed to charge the hub sometimes up to three times
longer than if outside.
6. I have Freeloader positioned on a shady windowsill.
Will the Freeloader still charge?
• Yes the Freeloader will still be charged by its solar cells
but it will take a lot longer compared to being outside
in full sun - up to 4-5 days longer in fact.
7. Can I leave the Freeloader out in the rain?
• No we do not recommend getting the Freeloader wet,
however, should this happen accidentally, please dry both
hub and cells in a dry airy position away from children and
food stuffs. The solar cells should be fine; however, the
hub / battery may be unsalvageable. A trial will soon tell,
however, we would recommend this trial be done outside
by the solar cells only and NOT the USB charge cable. If
the hub will not work a new one can be ordered from www.
solartechnology.co.uk
8. How do I connect Freeloader to my iPod as I don’t seem
to have a connector in the Freeloader pack that fits the
iPod?
• To connect up an iPod please use the original sync cable
(the cable you use for connecting the iPod to a PC) and
connected it to the female USB connector tip supplied with
the Freeloader. Or you can purchase the Freeloader iPod
connector part number SCA002.
9. I have a device that can be charged via my computers
USB port can the Freeloader charge it?
• Yes the Freeloader should be able to charge it.
10. Are there any devices that Freeloader cannot power?
• Freeloader has a voltage range of 3v to 5.5v, so any
device that needs a higher voltage such as a lap top
or video camera is outside the range of Freeloader.
• If we have no connection tip (see www.solartechnology.
co.uk for the list of accessory tips), then Freeloader will
not be compatible.
• Digital camera’s where the battery of the camera needs
to be removed and inserted into a cradle to charge are
not compatible with Freeloader.