Solar Freeloader Pico PC1005 User manual

User Manual
Model: PC1005
IMPORTANT:
PLEASE READ BEFORE FIRST USE
FRONT COVER

Thank you for selecting
Freeloader Pico. It will give
you many years useful service.
Freeloader Pico is an advanced
portable power unit designed to
charge most electrical devices up
to 5V.
Freeloader Pico’s internal battery
can be powered by a connection to
a PC or by its solar panel.
Freeloader Pico can deliver power
to almost any electrical device
using the adaptor tips in this pack
(tips for additional devices can be
purchased from your local retailer
or www.solartechnology.co.uk).
Pico can also deliver power to any
device if it has been supplied with
a USB sync/charge cable.
We recommend that you charge
Freeloader Pico via USB for its first
charge. This will enable the internal
lithium ion battery to be properly
conditioned.
To achieve best performance we
also recommend that you charge
Freeloader Pico from USB once
every 3 months.
INSIDE FRONT COVER

Electrical Characteristics /
Performance
1. Solar Panel (mono/multi crystalline):
5V 75mA
2. Rechargeable Lithium –ion
Battery: 3.7V 800mAh
3. USB input charging: 5V 300mA
4. DC Output: 3V to 5V
5. Time required to deliver power from
Freeloader Pico when charging a
device: 30 to 45 minutes
6. Time required to charge Freeloader
Pico’s internal battery using the master
cable connected to a PC or lap top:
3 to 4 hours
7. Time required to charge Freeloader
Pico’s internal battery in bright sunny
conditions using the solar panels:
10 hours
Note - light quality and time of year play a
key role in determining the speed of charge.
Cloudy days, the winter and Freeloader Pico
being positioned behind a glass window will
all dramatically increase the time needed to
charge its battery.
Fig 1
A. Solar Panel
B. Power Out Socket
C. Power In Socket
D. Solar Reset Button C
A
B
D
1

Components Included:
1 x Freeloader Pico Solar Charger
1 x Master Cable
1 x Adaptor for Nokia mobile phones
1 x Adaptor for Samsung mobile phones
1 x Adaptor for all Sony Ericsson phones
1 x Mini USB adaptor for Motorola
phones, Blackberry and most
smartphones, Garmin/Sat Map and
most GPS, Bluetooth headsets, PDA’s
Note - The Master Cable is used for both
charging Freeloader Pico’s internal battery
from a connection to a computer’s USB
(using the mini USB adaptor) and also for
delivering power from Freeloader Pico to
charge a device.
Operation Instructions
1. To charge Freeloader Pico’s
internal battery from a PC
Insert the Mini USB Tip into the end of the
Master Cable, then insert the USB plug
on the other end of the cable into a PC,
laptop or other suitable device (which is
switched ON). Insert the mini USB tip into
FreeLoader Pico Power In socket (C, fig 1).
LED E (fig 2) will turn red. Freeloader
Pico will be fully charged when the LED E
goes out.
Note - Please do not leave the USB charge
cable plugged in overnight as damage to the
battery may occur.
2

2. To charge from the solar panel
When Freeloader Pico is directed at
daylight, LED H (fig 2) will illuminate.
Charging will take place immediately
and it will take as little as 10 hours in
bright sunshine, with Pico positioned
outdoors, to fully charge its battery.
Note - Be careful not to scratch the surface of
the solar panels and do not clean them with
any strong detergent.
IMPORTANT - This method of
charging is recommended for the first
charge from new and may take up
to 8 hours.
Fig 2
EFG
H
3

3. Checking how much power is in
Freeloader Pico’s internal battery
To determine how much power is available
in Freeloader Pico simply connect a device
to Pico (using the Master Cable and tip or
a device’s sync cable). Upon connection,
LED’s E, F, G and H will illuminate (fig 2)
4. To charge a device from
Freeloader Pico
Insert the USB end of the Master Cable
into the Power In socket (B, fig 1). Select
the correct adaptor tip and insert into it
the other end of the Master Cable.
Note – if your device is not supported by
one of the adaptor tip’s in this pack you can
connect the USB sync/charge cable that
was originally supplied with your device into
Freeloader Pico’s Power In socket (B, fig 1).
Finally insert the tip (from the Master Cable or
a sync cable) into the device to be charged.
5. Solar Reset Button
If Freeloader Pico’s battery has been fully
drained, you can speed up the charging
process (if charging by solar) by pressing the
Solar Reset Button (D, fig 1) for 3 seconds.
Note - this Button only works if the solar panel
is facing daylight when button is pressed.
LED Illuminated Power Available
No LED’s 0% to < 35%
LED E 35% to < 60%
LED E and G 60% to < 85%
LED E, F and G 85% to < 100%
LED E, F, G and H 100%
4

Warning
1. Keep Freeloader Pico from fire, water
and any form of moisture to ensure
damage and injury do not result.
2. Any severe shock or impact may result
in damage and will invalidate the
warranty.
3. It is forbidden to dismantle Freeloader
Pico except by Solar Technology
personnel or agents appointed by Solar
Technology. Any sign of tampering will
result in the warranty being invalidated.
Warranty
Freeloader Pico 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/s, at its
discretion, upon a copy of the proof of
purchase being provided. Solar Technology
International Ltd does not accept liability for
any 3rd party damage how so ever caused
or any costs associated with the return of
faulty products.
To make a warranty claim please
telephone Solar Technology International
Ltd on [phone] or
[e-mail]
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.
5

Optional Accessories
Solar Technology International Ltd
provides a comprehensive range of
accessories for Freeloader Pico, which are
constantly being updated as new devices
come onto the market.
Our accessory range covers the following:
• All weather Supercharger
(a superfast way to charge Pico)
• AA/AAA Battery Charger
• In Car Charge Adaptor
• Mains Charge Adaptor
• Gel cases in various colours
• Over 20 additional adaptor tips.
Please contact your retailer for the full
range or go to www.solartechnology.co.uk
Replacing Freeloader Pico’s
Battery
Freeloader Pico’s battery has a life
expectancy of 2 years. Once it has been
exhausted please return Freeloader Pico
to Solar Technology International Ltd who
will replace the battery in its workshop
– please see www.solartechnology.co.uk
for instructions and costs for this process.
PLEASE NOTE – by removing
Freeloader Pico’s battery you
will invalidate your warranty.
6

Disposing of Freeloader Pico
If for any reason you need to dispose of
Freeloader Pico you will need to remove
the battery first.
To remove the battery, make sure the
battery has no power left in it. Once this
is done, open the plastic casing using a
sharp edged instrument (care must be
taken during this operation and it is not
recommended that minors undertake this
operation). Once the two halves have
been separated, the battery will be clearly
visible. Cut the wires using side cutters or
similar and remove the battery. Please
then dispose of the remaining parts in
accordance with your local authority’s
instructions.
The battery must then be disposed of
separately. Please contact your local
authority for advice on how to dispose of
a lithium–ion battery correctly or return the
battery to Solar Technology International
Ltd in a plastic bag and padded envelope
who will dispose of it in accordance with
the correct regulations.
7

Frequently Asked Questions
1. My Freeloader Pico 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 ensure Freeloader Pico is given
exposure to sunny conditions for
between 5 to 10 hours.
• Ensure that Freeloader Pico is outside,
facing south, in an un-shaded position
and ideally tilted at a 45 degree angle.
• If Freeloader Pico is connected to a
device that has a near full battery (if for
example you were testing Freeloader
Pico from new), Freeloader Pico
would, potentially, not deliver power
because the power in the device could
be greater than that in Pico. In such
circumstances Freeloader Pico will not
be able to deliver power. Wait until the
device to be charged is 25% to 50% full.
• Ensure Pico is facing daylight and press
Solar Reset Button (D, fig 1) for 3 seconds.
2. How do I know when Freeloader
Pico is fully charged and can I use the
power from Freeloader Pico even if it’s
not fully charged?
• You can use power in Freeloader Pico
whether Pico is fully charged or part
charged. To assess the power available
you will need to connect it to a device
and observe LED’s E, F, G, H (fig 2)
8

3. What performance can I expect from
Freeloader Pico?
• After 1 day, outside in full sun (8am
to 6pm) Freeloader Pico will be pretty
much fully charged. When connected
to your device it will deliver power for
20 to 45 minutes depending on the
device.
• If Freeloader Pico is positioned behind
a window in sunny conditions, the
time needed to fully charge Freeloader
Pico’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 the solar
panels to operate effectively.
• In cloudy conditions, Freeloader Pico
may take approximately 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 Pico
from the sun whilst at the same time
powering a device?
• No. If Freeloader Pico is empty you will
not be able to simultaneously charge
and deliver power. The reason is that
Freeloader Pico delivers power to a
device approximately 10 times quicker
than its solar cell can charge up its
internal battery.
9

5. Will charging Freeloader Pico from its
solar cell behind glass cause me any
problems?
• Not really a problem but it will
increase the time needed to charge,
sometimes up to three times longer
than if outside.
6. I have Freeloader Pico positioned on
a shady windowsill. Will Freeloader
Pico still charge?
• Yes Freeloader Pico will still be charged
by its solar cell 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 Freeloader Pico out
in the rain?
• No, we do not recommend getting
Freeloader Pico wet. However, should
this happen accidentally, please dry in
an airy position away from children and
foodstuffs. The solar cell should be fine;
however, the battery and circuit board
may be damaged. A trial will soon tell,
however, and we would recommend
this trial be done outside by the solar
cells only and NOT connected to a PC.
Should the test prove that Freeloader
Pico has been damaged, Solar
Technology International Ltd may be
able to repair the unit. Please contact
[e-mail] for
more information.
10

8. How do I connect and charge a
device not supported by the adaptor
tips included in this pack?
• Assuming Freeloader Pico is capable
of charging the device:
1) order the required tip at
[e-mail] or
2) if the device was originally supplied
with a USB charge cable (most devices
are) connect this to your device and
to Freeloader Pico via the Power Out
socket (B, fig 1).
9. I have a device that can be charged
via my computer’s USB port – can
Freeloader Pico charge it?
• Yes the Freeloader Pico should be able
to charge it.
10. I cannot see the LEDs on the unit
when it’s in bright sunlight – is it still
charging?
• Yes it is. The LEDs are of lower power
consumption – you can see that they
are on if you cup your hand over them.
11. Can I charge a laptop computer or
notebook?
• No, Freeloader Pico is not powerful
enough to charge such devices. If a
device has a voltage demand under
5V then Freeloader Pico should be
able to charge it.
11

Solar Technology International Ltd
We are manufacturers of some of the
world’s most advanced solar energy
products, including solar panels, solar
lighting kits, solar power stations,
solar garden lights and solar toys. We
additionally provide comprehensive solar
training courses. 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 HelpLine on
[phone] or email us
at [e-mail]
or alternatively please write to: Support,
Solar Technology International Ltd,
Unit 4, Station Drive, Bredon, Nr.
Tewkesbury, Glos. GL20 7HH, UK.
Solar Technology International Ltd.
Unit 4, Station Drive, Bredon, Nr. Tewkesbury,
Glos. GL20 7HH, United Kingdom
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
12

We Want Your Pictures!
We are seeking images of you and
your Freeloader Pico 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 free Pico Gel carry case in
a colour of your choice.
Please email your images to
[e-mail] and
don’t forget to include your mailing
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/s the sender
automatically grants Solar Technology
International Ltd approval to use the
image for any future use in marketing
its Freeloader products.
TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
Solar
INSIDE BACK COVER

TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
Solar
Solar Technology International Ltd.
Unit 4, Station Drive, Bredon, Nr. Tewkesbury,
Glos. GL20 7HH, United Kingdom
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
BACK COVER