Solar Technology Freeloader Classic SC8100 User Manual

GB

User Manual

Portable Solar Energy
Models:
SC8100 (Grey)
SC8101 (Pink)
Freeloader's Classic's aluminium skin and solar panels
are protected during transit by a transparent fi lm.
Remove the fi lm before fi rst use!
We recommend that you charge your
FreeLoader Classic via USB for its fi rst charge.

Warning

1. Keep FreeLoader Classic's body away from fi re, water and any
form 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 Classic except by Solar
Technology personnel or agents appointed by Solar Technology.
Any sign of tampering will result in the warranty being invalidated.

Warranty

FreeLoader Classic 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 of faulty products.
To make a warranty claim please telephone Solar Technology
International Ltd on +44 (0) 1684 774000.
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 provides a comprehensive range
of accessories for Freeloader Classic, which is constantly being
updated as new devices come onto the market.
Our accessory range covers the following: Spare Freeloader battery,
Supercharger – booster panel, CamCaddy – universal camera
battery charging cradle, AA/AAA Battery Charger,
In-car charge adaptor, Mains charge adaptor, Carry pouch
for Freeloader plus over 30 additional connection tips.
Please contact your retailer for the full range or go to
www.solartechnology.co.uk
.5.
1. Solar Panel
2. Power in (for USB charge cable)
3. Power out (for master cable and divces' own USB cable)
4. LED – Charge status display
Components Included:
1 x FreeLoader Classic charger
1 x Power Master cable
1 x Adaptor for Nintendo DS Lite
1 x Adaptor for LG Chocolate Series Phones
2 x Adaptors for Nokia mobile phones
1 x Adaptor for Samsung mobile phones
1 x Adaptors for Sony Ericsson mobile phones
1 x 4mm jack plug for PSP , Tom Tom, digital camera etc
1 x Micro USB adaptor for most current phones, Blackberry,
Nokia, Samsung, LG, Sony Ericson etc
1 x Mini USB adaptor for Motorola RAZR, MP3 etc
.1.

Removing the battery

PLEASE NOTE this will invalidate your warranty.
If for any reason you need to dispose of the Freeloader Classic's
Battery / Hub you will need to remove the battery fi rst.The battery
must then be disposed of separately. Please contact your local
authority for how to dispose of a lithium ion battery correctly.
To remove the battery you will need to undo the two small screws
on one of the black plastic end caps on the hub unit (the part with
the LCD Panel). Remove the end cap and then slide the internal
compartment out of the aluminium sleeve.
Once removed the battery is the large Blue component, simply
cut the connecting wires (using side cutters or strong scissors) and
remove the battery. The battery is supported by an adhesive pad
and might require a strong pull to remove it.
Please then dispose of the remaining parts in accordance with
your local authorities instructions.
Disposal of used FreeLoader Classic's battery
Please dispose of FreeLoader Classic's battery responsibly. Should
you be unable to fi nd 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My Freeloader Classic 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 fi rst charge is given by the USB cable connected
to a PC or lap top.
• Please make sure you have removed the protective fi lm from the
solar cells as this will radically reduce the effectiveness of the cells.
• Please ensure Freeloader Classic is given exposure to sunny
conditions for between 5 to 10 hours.
.6.

Electrical Characteristics / Performance

1. Solar Panel (mono/multi crystalline): 5.5V 150mA
2. Rechargeable Lithium Battery: 3.7V 1200mAh
3. USB charging cable: 5V 500mA
4. DC Output: 5.5V+/– 0.5% 500mA
5. Time required to deliver power from Freeloader Classic:
30 minutes to 2 hours
2. To charge from the solar panels
6. Time required to charge the FreeLoader Classic internal
battery using the USB charge cable: 3 to 4 hours
Remove the clear fi lm from both solar panels before fi rst use.
7. Time required to charge the FreeLoader Classic internal Detach the solar panels from the body of FreeLoader Classic and
battery in sunny conditions using the solar panels: separate the two halves exposing the face of each solar panel. The
5 to 10 hours end of the solar panel that has the two locating
lugs should then be inserted into the side of FreeLoader Classic's
Note - light quality plays a key role in determining the speed of
body – one solar panel each side.
charge. Cloudy days or the Freeloader Classic being positioned
behind a glass window will all increase the time needed to charge When the solar panels are facing the sun, the LCD panel
its battery. will show
note 1 for more information) and
each solar panel). Please note – the LCD panel will

Operation Instructions:

not illuminate during solar charging. The brighter the Sun light,
the faster the charge.
1. To charge using the USB charge cable
Note - be careful not to scratch the surface of the solar
Insert the Mini USB Tip into the round end of the Master Cable,
panels and do not clean with strong detergent.
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 Classic's Power In socket
(2). The LCD panel (4) will illuminate and a "battery" icon will
be displayed indicating the current battery level (1 bar = 10%
to 25% charge, 2 bars = up to 50% charge, 3 bars = up 75%
charge and 4 bars = from 76% to 100% charge). The "lightning
bolt" icon will also be displayed indicating that Freeloader
Classic is accepting a charge from a USB connected power
source.
Please note: Prolonged exposure of Freeloader Classic
Note - Please do not leave the USB charge cable plugged in
to sun/daylight will not damage the battery because of
overnight as damage to the battery may occur.
its in-built advanced charge control electronics.
.2.
• Ensure the Freeloader Classic is outside, facing south, in an un-
6.
shaded position and ideally tilted at a 45 degree angle.
• If Freeloader Classic is connected to a device that has a near full •
battery (if for example you were testing Freeloader Classic from
new), Freeloader Classic would, potentially, not deliver power
because if the battery in the device has more or equal power
than the Freeloader Classic, Freeloader Classic will not be able to 7.
deliver power. Wait until the device to be charged is 50% to 60%
•
full (see note 3)
2. What performance I can expect from Freeloader Classic?
• After 1 day in full sun (9am to 6pm) the Freeloader Classic hub will
be pretty much fully charged. When connected to your device it will
deliver power for 30minutes to 2hours depending on the device.
• If Freeloader Classic is positioned behind a window, again
facing south in full sun conditions the time needed to fully charge
8.
Freeloader Classic's battery will be up to 3 days. The reason for
this increase in time is that most glass incorporates UV fi lters,
which naturally reduce the amount of irradiation needed to enable •
solar panels to operate effectively.
• In cloudy conditions, Freeloader Classic 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.
9.
3. Freeloader's LCD panel shows it has some charge but it wont
deliver it to my device. •
• In such circumstances Freeloader's LCD panel will not be
10. Are there any devices that Freeloader Classic cannot power?
illuminated and it means the battery level in your device is similar
to the battery level in Freeloader. You will need to either allow •
Freeloader longer to charge up more fully or allow your device to
discharge further before connecting the two (see note 1).
•
4. Can I charge my Freeloader Classic hub whilst at the same time
powering a device?
• No. If Freeloader Classic's hub is empty you will not be able
to simultaneously charge and deliver power. The reason is that
Freeloader Classic delivers power to a device approximately 10
•
times quicker than its solar cells can charge up its hub.
5. Will charging Freeloader Classic 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.
.7.
3. To charge from the optional
IMPORTANT - This method of charging is
Supercharger Accessory
recommended for the first charge from new and
Supercharger is connected to Freeloader Classic via the Power
may take up to 8 hours. USB charging is also a
in socket (2) and will provide all weather, all terrain charging
worthwhile practice once or twice a year as this
for Freeloader. It also speeds up charging time to as little as 4
helps to condition the battery and will result in
hours. When Supercharger is attached the LCD panel will show
longer battery life.
a "battery" icon indicating the current battery level (see note1 for
more information) and a "solar panel" icon.
LCD panel will not illuminate during solar charging.
4. To charge hand held electrical devices
Insert the USB end of the Master cable into Freeloader Classic's
Power Out socket (3). Select the correct adaptor tip, insert into
the female end of the Master cable and connect to your device.
Freeloader Classic's
icon will be displayed indicating the current battery level in
Freeloader Classic (see note 1 for more information) and a
a "battery" icon indicating the current battery level (see "mobile phone" icon will fl ash icon indicating the Freeloader
Classic is delivering power to a device. The device being
two fl ashing "sun" icons (one for
charged should also indicate that it is receiving a charge. When
there is insuffi cient charge in Freeloader or if the device battery
level and the Freeloader battery level are roughly the same,
Freeloader will not deliver power and the LCD panel will not
be illuminated.
NOTE – where no adaptor tip is supplied for a device, connect
the USB sync cable supplied with a device (such as the white
USB cable supplied with iPhone, iPad, iPod etc) into Output
Socket (3) and follow the same steps as above. Should no such
cable exist additional adaptor tips can be purchased form
www.solartechnology.co.uk.
.3.
Solar Technology International Ltd
I have Freeloader Classic positioned on a shady windowsill.
Will the Freeloader Classic still charge?
We are manufacturers of some of the worlds most
Yes the Freeloader Classic will still be charged by its solar cells but it
advanced solar energy products from solar toys to full scale
will take a lot longer compared to being outside in full sun - up to 4-5
industrial solar modules. To fi nd out more please visit www.
days longer in fact.
solartechnology.co.uk.
Can I leave the Freeloader Classic out in the rain?
If you have any questions about this product or regarding
No, we do not recommend getting the Freeloader Classic wet,
these instructions please contact the
however, should this happen accidentally, please dry both hub
Solar Technology International Technical Help Line
and cells in a dry airy position away from children and food stuffs.
on +44 (0) 1684 774000 or alternatively please
The solar cells should be fi ne; however, the hub / battery may be
write to:
unsalvageable. A trial will soon tell, however, we would recommend
this trial be done outside by the solar cells only and NOT the USB
Solar Technology International Ltd, Unit 4, Station Drive,
charge cable. If the hub will not work a new one can be ordered from
Bredon, Nr. Tewkesbury, Glos. GL20 7HH, UK
www.solartechnology.co.uk
How do I connect Freeloader Classic to my device as I don't seem to
have a connector in the Freeloader Classic pack that fi ts?
To connect up a device where no connection tip is supplied please use
the original sync cable (the cable you use for connecting to a PC) and
insert the USB end into Freeloader Classic's Power Out (3) socket. Then
connect to your device in the normal way.
I have a device that can be charged via my computers USB port can
the Freeloader Classic charge it?
Yes the Freeloader Classic should be able to charge it.
Freeloader Classic 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 scope of Freeloader Classic.
If we have no connection tip (see www.solartechnology.co.uk for the list
of accessory tips), there is no USB sync cable supplied with the device
or there is no Freeloader Classic accessory such as CamCaddy or the
AA / AAA Battery charger that suits the device, then Freeloader Classic
will not be compatible.
Digital camera's where the "block style" battery of the camera needs
to be removed and inserted into a cradle to charge can only be
powered by Freeloader Classic if the optional CamCaddy accessory
is purchased. Please Note – Freeloader Classic will only be able to
charge compact digital camera batteries (or any camera battery under
5v). For Digital SLR camera battery charging, Freeloader Pro must be
purchased.
.8.
Please note – the
LCD panel will illuminate and a "battery"
.4.

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 £19.99.
Please email your images to sales@solartechnology.
co.uk and don't forget to include your mailing address.
Note: We cannot guarantee to publish every image
received - the fi nal 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.