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A compact solar panel with many extra features, the ES884 provides a convenient way to benefit from solar power without the complication of buying and hooking up separate components. It combines a panel, a voltage selector, a blocking diode (important for battery charging), a handle/prop, and an "AA" battery charger into one unit. It also comes with various wires for direct connection to electronic devices and other types of batteries.
The ES884 includes a long wire that branches into five different plugs/tips (to use with DC power jacks) and a set of alligator clips, which may be connected to large rechargeable batteries or the battery terminals of electronics. The panel can be set to output 3, 6, 9, or 12 volts. At three volts, it supplies up to two-hundred milliamps (mA), and up to 100 mA at six volts. At nine or twelve volts, it provides a maximum of fifty mA.
When placed in direct sunlight, the ES884 panel can power things like radios, calculators, and very small fans without the need for any batteries (see the list of electronics the ES884 can directly power). This is its best capability, because rechargeable batteries eventually wear out; powering things directly with solar power eliminates the cost and environmental harm caused by replacing batteries or using a wall outlet.
You won't get much out of the ES884 solar panel if the sunlight isn't bright and direct, though you might be able to run a calculator. Under bright sunlight, it's even able to charge two "AA" batteries, light its charging indicator, and run a small fan (2.3" wide) at the same time. It also works well placed under a bright desk lamp, so you can obtain the added bonus of listening to the radio or charging batteries while using a lamp.
The ES884 comes with fairly detailed instructions on how to set it up and power various devices or charge batteries. Unlike stand-alone solar panels that require various extra components, the ES884 can be set up and powering a radio minutes after it's out of the box. Aside from its relatively limited capacity, the only significant downside of this unit is that it cannot easily be combined with additional panels to increase the amperage or voltage.
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