Page 1
5 Watt Foldable Solar Panel Charger
68683 5 Watt Foldable Solar Charger
Read this material before using this product.
Failure to do so can result in serious injury.
SAVE THIS MANUAL.
When unpacking, make sure that the product is intact and undamaged.
If any parts are missing or broken, please call 1-800-444-3353 as soon as possible.
Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com
Email our tech support at: tech@harborfreight.com
Copyright© 2011 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape
or form without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools. Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally. Due to continuing
improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein. Tools required for assembly and service may not be included.
Page 2
IMPORTANT SAFETY
this work must be done by a qualied electrician
unless they are connected through a regulator.
INFORMATION
In this manual, on the labeling, and all other
information provided with this product:
This is the safety alert symbol. It is
used to alert you to potential personal
injury hazards. Obey all safety
messages that follow this symbol
to avoid possible injury or death.
DANGER indicates a hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION, used with the safety alert symbol,
indicates a hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE is used to address practices
not related to personal injury.
3. This solar panel kit is not designed for tie-in to a grid.
Only a licensed electrician and a licensed building
contractor can safely design and implement a
grid tie-in system. Any grid tie-in system must
meet all applicable building and electrical codes,
and must meet standards established by the area
power company. Improper grid tie-in can result in
electrocution, re, and other serious personal injury
and property damage. An incorrectly installed grid
tie-in system can cause feedback voltage, resulting
in electrocution of electrical utility workers.
4. Handle solar panels with care,
edges may be sharp.
5. Do not apply pressure or press down on
the Solar Charger when it is folded.
6. Do not focus light on panel.
7. Install components with enough
space to allow proper cooling.
8. This product may occasionally produce more
current and/or voltage than its rated output.
Increase output ratings by 25% when determining
component required voltage and amperage
ratings. Refer to Section 690-8 of the National
Electrical Code for an additional multiplying factor of
125 percent (80 percent derating) which may apply.
9. Do not attach to battery or power grid without
proper regulator, inverter, and/or charge controller.
CAUTION, without the safety alert symbol, is used
to address practices not related to personal injury.
WARNING Read all safety warnings and
instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and
instructions may result in electric shock, re and/
or serious injury.
Save all warnings and instructions for
future reference. The warnings, precautions,
and instructions discussed in this instruction
manual cannot cover all possible conditions and
situations that may occur. It must be understood
by the operator that common sense and caution
are factors which cannot be built into this
product, but must be supplied by the operator.
Installation Precautions
1. Install all sensitive electrical components
(including wiring connections, regulator,
and battery) inside a weatherproof
enclosure to prevent electric shock.
2. Do not wire multiple panels in series. If you need
to connect two or more solar panels together,
10. Install and use according to applicable
National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.
11. This panel is not rated for use as re-resistant
roong. If installing on a roof, install only over a re
resistant roof covering rated for the application.
12. Verify that installation surface has no hidden
utility lines before drilling or driving screws.
13. Install only according to these instructions.
Improper installation can create hazards.
14. Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles and
heavy-duty work gloves during installation.
Do not wear jewelry or metal watches when
working near solar panels, wiring or batteries.
15. Keep installation area clean and well lit.
16. Keep out of reach of children.
17. Keep bystanders out of the area during installation.
18. Do not install when tired or when under
the inuence of drugs or medication.
Page 2 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. SKU 68683
Page 3
Service Precautions
1. Before service, maintenance, or cleaning:
a. Dry solar panels thoroughly while
wearing electrically insulated gloves.
b. Disconnect items being
charged before cleaning.
2. Do not service during rain, fog, or
any other wet/humid weather.
3. Do not allow children to play with or near
this item or electrical components.
4. Inspect at least monthly; do not use if damaged,
parts are loose, water is found inside the
housing, electrical insulation is cracked or
damaged, or connections are loose.
5. Maintain product labels and nameplates.
These carry important safety information.
If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor
Freight Tools for a replacement.
6. WARNING: Handling the cord on this product will
expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State
of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
(California Health & Safety Code § 25249.5, et seq.)
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS.
Page 3For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.SKU 68683
Page 4
Specications
Rated Output 5V / 5W; 1 A output current
Panel Size
Note: Output will decrease as the panel gets hotter
than room temperature (~70° F). Angle, solar intensity,
cloud cover and other factors will effect output.
27 IN. L x 9-1/2 IN. W
(open position)
Installation
IMPORTANT! Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT
SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning of
this manual including all text under subheadings
therein before set up or use of this product.
Note: For additional information regarding the
parts listed in the following pages, refer to the
Assembly Diagram near the end of this manual.
Location
1. Locate the Foldable Solar Panel where it will
receive full, unobstructed sunlight, especially during
midday. Nearby trees or tall plants will drop debris,
requiring the panel to be cleaned more frequently.
2. The installation must be inaccessible to
children to prevent electric shock. Build
a childproof enclosure if needed.
5. Angle face of Solar Charger toward true
south1 according to chart that follows:
Latitude Solar Panel Angle
0-4° 10°
5-20° Latitude + 5°
21-45° Latitude + 10°
46-64° Latitude + 15°
65° or more 80°
6. Once proper location and angle have been reached,
the Solar Panels will begin generating electricity.
Wiring
Note: Only a licensed electrician and a licensed building
contractor can safely design and implement a grid
tie-in system. Any grid tie-in system must meet all
applicable building and electrical codes, and must meet
standards established by the area power company.
1. Run wires from panels, through weatherproof
grommets and into enclosure where charge
controller/regulator is located. Use wires
of the proper size and rating and use twist
connectors (not included) to connect wires.
2. Connect to charge controller/regulator according
to controller/regulator’s instructions.
3. Secure all connections using terminals, or solder
all wire splices to ensure good connections.
4. Weatherproof all connections and route the wire in
a way that it will not be torn loose from the panel.
3. Install any charge controller/regulator and
batteries used with the Foldable Solar Panel in a
weatherproof enclosure with proper ventilation.
Setup
1. Select a location for the Solar Charger. The
Solar Panels (8) should face the Sun, and not be
blocked by shadows. The location should allow the
Panels to be protected from accidental damage.
2. Thread rope (not included) through the Grommets (1)
to hang Foldable Solar Panel, if desired. CAUTION!
When hanging unit, secure it so that it will not move
and hit anything due to excessive wind.
WARNING! Verify that whatever you hang rope from
can support weight of Foldable Solar Charger and
that rope is rated to withstand the weight of the unit.
3. You can also use Grommets to hang Foldable
Solar Charger from nails fastened to a wall.
4. Before charging, remove protective PE covering from
each Solar Panel.
1
Angle towards true north if installed
in southern hemisphere.
Page 4 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. SKU 68683
Page 5
Operation
The Foldable Solar Charger may be used to charge
Cell Phones, MP3 Players, Handheld GPS devices, and
portable game consoles. It can also recharge AA battery
rechargers.
1. Unfold the Foldable Solar Charger, allowing the
Solar Panels to have full, unobstructed sunlight.
NOTE: The Foldable Solar Charger must
have at least four hours of direct sunlight to
fully charge a small electronic devise.
2. Insert the device’s charging cord into the
Foldable Solar Charger’s USB Output (5).
3. Once the device is recharged,
remove the charging cord.
4. After use, untie the Foldable Solar Charger (if
it is hanging). Then fold the Solar Charger,
keeping it closed with the Velcro tab.
5. Keep Solar Charger closed when not in
use. WARNING! Do not apply pressure or
press down on the folded Solar Charger.
Cleaning
Clean and inspect the Foldable Solar Charger MONTHLY,
or more frequently to maintain peak efciency.
1. Wear electrically insulated gloves and
ANSI-approved safety goggles. Dry solar
panels and outdoor wiring thoroughly.
2. Disconnect batteries and any items
being charged before cleaning.
3. Clean solar panels one at a time with mild, nonabrasive cleanser and soft cloth and paper towels.
Do not clean with brushes or abrasive cleaners.
4. Inspect the general condition of the Foldable Solar
Charger. Check for wiring insulation damage or
weathering, cracked glass, cracked or broken
parts, loose or corroded contacts, and any other
condition that may affect its safe operation.
Adjustment
To increase efciency:
1. In the Winter, increase the panels’ angle by 10°.
2. In the Summer, decrease the angle by up to 10°.
Servicing
Procedures not specically explained in
this manual must be performed by a
qualied technician.
TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY
FROM ELECTRIC SHOCK:
Before service, maintenance or cleaning:
a. Dry solar panels thoroughly while
wearing electrically insulated gloves.
b. Disconnect batteries and items
being charged before cleaning.
TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY FROM
ELECTRIC SHOCK OR CUTS:
Do not use damaged solar panel.
If wiring insulation is damaged or
weathered, glass is cracked, or housing
is opened, have the problem corrected
before further use.
3. In the Spring and Fall, keep the panels at
the angle recommended on page 4.
Note: It is normal to see up to 20% degradation in
amorphous silicon solar panel performance within the rst
6 months before the amorphous coating stabilizes.
Page 5For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.SKU 68683
Page 6
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDED THE PARTS LIST AND ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM
IN THIS MANUAL AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR
MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND TO THE BUYER THAT HE OR SHE IS
QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT, OR THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO REPLACE
ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT. IN FACT, THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR EXPRESSLY
STATES THAT ALL REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACEMENTS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY CERTIFIED AND
LICENSED TECHNICIANS, AND NOT BY THE BUYER. THE BUYER ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY
ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER REPAIRS TO THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT OR REPLACEMENT PARTS
THERETO, OR ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER INSTALLATION OF REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO.
Parts List
Part Description Qty.
1 Grommets 4
2 Fabric 1
3 USB Output Base 1
4 Screw 4
5 USB Output 1
Part Description Qty.
6 Screw 1
7 USB Output Cover 1
8 Solar Panels 4
9 Connecting Wire 1
Record Product’s Serial Number Here:
Note: If product has no serial number, record month and year of purchase instead.
Note: Some parts are listed and shown for illustration purposes only,
and are not available individually as replacement parts.
Page 6 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. SKU 68683
Page 7
Assembly Diagram
Page 7For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.SKU 68683
Page 8
Limited 90 Day Warranty
Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality and durability standards,
and warrants to the original purchaser that this product is free from defects in materials and workmanship for the
period of 90 days from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to damage due directly or indirectly,
to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations outside our facilities, criminal activity, improper
installation, normal wear and tear, or to lack of maintenance. We shall in no event be liable for death, injuries
to persons or property, or for incidental, contingent, special or consequential damages arising from the use of
our product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the
above limitation of exclusion may not apply to you. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.
To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with transportation charges
prepaid. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise.
If our inspection veries the defect, we will either repair or replace the product at our election or we may
elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will
return repaired products at our expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that the defect resulted
from causes not within the scope of our warranty, then you must bear the cost of returning the product.
This warranty gives you specic legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd. • PO Box 6009 • Camarillo, CA 93011 • (800) 444-3353
Loading...