Review of VOLTAIC Array Solar Backpack : Because, Waiting for Charging is too Mainstream

Currently the level of dependence on electrical resources is very high. All work support tools have been converted using electric fuel, especially electronic appliances. And of course all work support equipment such as cellphones, tablets and portable computers such as notebooks need a battery. And to stay active, the battery must still be charged.

Problems arise when activities that require us to be more “on-site” than in the office. No matter how good and big the capacity of our gadget’s battery is, it definitely needs extra power intake. Especially for gadgets or notebooks with hardware specifications 2 to 3 years ago, where the installed components have not adopted power saving technology as well as today’s components. To provide a solution to this, various ways have been taken, including applying Solar Pael as an alternative media for recharging the battery. Well, one of the products that apply the Solar Panel is the one that Pemmz will review this time.

Voltaic Array Solar Backpack

Voltaic is a company from New York City that specializes in developing Solar Panels to be integrated into bag / backpack products, including supporting accessories such as Power Banks including adapters. The advantage of the Solar Panel which is produced by Voltaic itself is that the outer layer of the solar panel is made of hard glass, making it suitable for even those of you who do extreme activities, such as mountain climbers.

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The Voltaic Array Solar Backpack itself is a medium-sized backpack with a solar panel attached to the outside. In total there are 3 small solar panels (11 x 20.8 cm) attached to the Voltaic Array Solar Backpack. The description on the charging tip states, this Solar Panel is able to provide a maximum charging voltage of 18 V on the condition that the Solar Panel actually gets direct sunlight. Unfortunately, the charging test process by drying this bag directly in the sun only gets a maximum voltage of 11 V. In fact, we have moved the switch to 18 V mode. Perhaps, drying it on a taller building will affect the Solar Panel’s ability to produce voltage. .

Additional information, the Solar Panel will stop the charging process if the intensity of the UV supply decreases or if it is measured with a Multitester, the charging process will stop when the voltage from the Solar Panel is below 6V.

Design & Build Quality

Design1

Voltaic provides a total of 3 Bag Areas for this type. The first bag area seems to be dedicated as a notebook. The size of the notebook that this bag can accommodate seems to be a maximum of 15.6 “. However, we tried to enter the Xenom NP6370 which sailed 17″ but it still fit. FYI, Xenom NP6370 has a maximum thickness of only 1.75 inches. For those of you whose notebook is thicker than that, you can actually take advantage of the 2nd bag area which is wider in capacity than the first bag area. Unfortunately, there is no security like a notebook holder. The second area is actually designated as a file storage and accessories. In this area there is one large mesh pocket with an additional zipper large enough for a map size and two small mesh pockets.

At the top there is a small pocket that can be accessed directly from the top. This pocket is very useful for storing everything that is often in and out of the bag such as wallets, vehicle keys, even cellphones. On both sides there is one side pocket each which is quite large (about 15cm deep), enough to place a drinking water tumbler.

The front bag with Solar Panels can be separated from the main bag body.

For the very front, where the Solar Panel is attached, you can separate it from the main body of the bag. And for those of you who only rely on a 12″ LCD netbook or notebook, you can only use this outer part. Because in it is only enough to accommodate a small netbook or notebook.

This section is the most equipped with extra pockets, both sleve models to zippered mesh pockets. In total there are 4 pockets (2 slev pockets and 2 mesh pockets). By default, all charging support equipment is placed in this section. Includes power bank, adapter and extra power-tip. Just behind the Solar Panel there is a charging kit starting from the voltage input selector, as well as a power tip that will directly flow the voltage when the solar panel gets sunlight.

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We get to the back, Pemmzholics can see a strap whose stitches are patterned. Unfortunately, the foam layer is fairly thin and hard (not flexible). This makes the shoulders less comfortable and feels more pressure when carrying heavy loads in a bag. The addition of a foamy texture on the back area is also less helpful, because it is as hard as the one on the strap. Fortunately, the outer layer is made of holes (mesh holes) so that the user’s back still gets airflow to minimize sweat deposition. Like other upper-middle backpacks, Voltaic also makes the front straps can move up and down to adjust to the most comfortable position for the user.

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Overall, the quality of the materials used in this Voltaic Array backpack is less exclusive. Especially for those of you who are familiar with Targus or other well-known brand bags. However, for the quality of the stitches and zippers, Pemmz considers them to be of sufficient quality.

The Battery

Power Bank 16000mAH, strong back up laptop up to 1 hour more

As a power storage medium, Voltaic provides a 16000mAH battery in the Voltaic Array Solar Backpack sales package. Through our manual test, this backup battery is able to supply additional power for 1 hour 20 minutes. There is a battery indicator that shows the remaining capacity in real time. Unfortunately, the distance between each LED when showing the battery capacity is less accurate and reliable. When testing with the use of power from the battery backup, the battery indicator is dead at minute 47, but it can still charge until it completely stops charging at minute 80. Which means, the percentage on the last led represents more than 47% battery capacity. How come…?

Using a notebook that consumes an average of 35W

Testing for 80 minutes, of course, adds to the notebook battery capacity. FYI, we started testing the battery backup when the notebook battery remained 31%, and when the battery backup was completely discharged (in 80 minutes) the notebook battery capacity was charged at 96%. Additional info as well, the bad test that we used for 80 minutes sucked an average power of 35W.

In the sales package, various models are also included tip for various types of notebooks. There are a total of 10 types tip which can be used for various types of adapter jacks. In addition to charging notebooks, the Voltaic Array also provides tip for smartphones, mini USB, micro USB, nokia mini, and standard jacks are available. What is unique, Voltaic also added a car charger adapter that can be used by owners of Apple products to be paired with Apples’ Airline adapter.

UV Charging

The testing process for UV Charging that we did did not seem to go smoothly. The weather has been erratic lately, making the calculation of charging time unable to accumulate properly. Often cloudy makes the charging process stop. It may be very helpful if the battery capacity indicator appears in digital form. Which means, we can calculate the percentage of charging power even though the battery is not fully charged. In essence, we can not give an estimate, an accurate charging time using UV media.

Pros