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Brian Yanity
President/Founder,
Chief Technical Officer
Electrical engineer and project
manager with a lifelong passion for renewable energy, including solar energy. Also
a lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Brian always been interested in portable solar
panels that he can take along hiking, camping, or sitting on the beach. Since
spring of the 2013, Brian has tested various types of foldable, flexible solar
panels, and founded OC Outdoor Solar in late 2013.
Courtney Aura Freeman
Marketing Product Manger
Seasoned marketing product manager
with over ten years of business to business and business to consumer marketing
strategy, product development, performance optimization, user experience
testing and design consultation for both Fortune 500 companies and tech
start-ups.
Breanna Bremer, MBA
Marketing and Sales
Experienced business professional
with expertise in marketing, business development, and general management
consulting.
Saquib Ahmed, Ph.D.
Technical Advisor
Physicist/materials
scientist who has devoted his career to improving photovoltaics and
semiconductors. Extensive academic
research experience in Semiconductor Physics, Nanotechnology and Photovoltaics.
Khosro Eddie Mehrfar, Ph. D.
Business Advisor
Engineer with extensive experience in energy systems.
Founder of Mehr US Corp., and his interest in alternative, sustainable clean
energy led him to be part of an Orange County-based company dedicated to solar
energy, Mehr Solar.
Ruben Gonzalez, Dot Fulfillment Services
Fulfillment,
Logistics and Shipping
29 Year Veteran in the fulfillment, printing, promotions
& marketing industry. Started with the Dot in 1996, helped to build the Dot
from a start up to a market leading organization with year over year profitable
growth. Dot Fulfillment offers product & literature, Direct Mail &
eWorkflow solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What electronic
devices can be charged with the MagniSun solar charger?
The MagniSun charger can be connected to any electronic
device that can be charged or powered with a standard USB male connector. The 4W solar panel is be capable of producing
up to 800 mA of current at 5 V from its female USB port. However, on partly-cloudy days, the panel
would be producing about half that amount of mA. USB cables can charge a wide variety of
devices, with a wide variety of power demand.
So it is important that the user determine that the 4W panel can
satisfactorily power or charge a particular device with at most 670 mA, or more
than one device using a splitter hub.
Unfortunately, the 4W panel does not provide enough power
to charge an iPad, which has a required current required of 1 Amp (1,000 mA)
via USB at 5V. Also, laptops and
macbooks need more power (usually around several amps at 5 V) than could be
provided by this 4W panel.
It should also be noted that USB adapters for
device-specific charging connector types, other than standard USB, are not
included with the MagniSun.
What solar PV
USB-charging umbrellas are already on the market?
There are a few umbrellas with permanently mounted
PV-powered USB chargers on the market, but they have tended to be larger,
heavier patio umbrellas costing several hundred dollars. Also, the entire
umbrella must be purchased, as the solar PV-panels are permanently attached to
the umbrella. The MagniSun is much more appropriate for the portable
applications such as the beach or camping, uses any existing umbrella, and is
much more affordable.
What could
interrupt the MagniSun’s charging?
The MagniSun charging’s can be interrupted if the PV
panel becomes shaded, or is turned away from the sun. If clouds
pass overhead, or if a shadow is cast over the MagniSun, the charging can
become interrupted. Phones will often reject the charge in cases like these. Connecting
the MagniSun to a USB-compatible battery pack (see below) is recommended, which
can still charge until much lower light conditions than a phone, and can store
the energy to be used later (including at night).
Certain phones, such as the common Apple iPhone 4 and
iPhone 5 models, may display "Accessory may not be supported" or
similar message after being connected to a MagniSun charger, after which it
stops charging. This is just because of the software of the phone’s power
management system, and the MagniSun charger will still charge the phone with a
couple simple steps. When the USB charging cable is connected to the phone, the
smartphone firmware will detect if the power input is enough or not. If it is
below the minimum "startup" power level, iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 will
show this message and cut off charging. But an iPhone 4S will not have this
problem because it has a different power management system. After the phone
displays the message "Accessory may not be supported", follow these
two steps (repeat if necessary):
1. Position the
solar panel under good sun light (if available)
2. Re-plug the
charging cable
It should be noted that any cell phone being charged
should not be left in the direct sun on a warm day, or under a dark object in
the sun, for an extended period. An overheated phone will not charge
efficiently. It is recommended that the phone be kept in the shade if possible.
Does the solar
charger store energy with a battery?
The MagniSun does not have its own internal battery to
store the solar energy, for use when the sun is not shining (charge during the
day for use at night, for example). However, on the market there are a variety
of compact and portable USB-compatible battery packs which could be connected
to the MagniSun. As described above, OC Outdoor Solar has recently partnered
with battery pack manufacturer XPAL Power as part of this crowdfunding campaign. XPAL Power’s PoP'n 1 battery pack,
with 2000 mAh of energy storage capacity, is equipped with suction cups to
attach to any smooth surface, including the back side of the MagniSun.
Is the flexible solar
panel waterproof?
The MagniSun will withstand rain or minor splashes on the
panel, although it is not designed to be totally submerged in water.
If you've made it this far, you know too much. Consider joining our team and share our project with your solar-loving friends or donate now. Thanks in advance for your support!
