BioLite SolarHome 620

Check out the BioLite SolarHome 620 here:
www.snowys.com.au/solarhome-620
Provide power and light to any small off-grid dwelling with the SolarHome 620 kit from BioLite.
This unit includes a 6-Watt panel, a 20-Watt hour Control Box, 3 Overhead Lights one of which includes a sensor for motion-activated light on a pathway or basic security, and 3 individual switches with 3 settings - low, medium, and high. The Control Box integrates a fourth light and offers real-time power feedback, mp3/radio, and a USB output to charge devices. The other 3 lights are daisy-chained for a seamlessly connected system.
In this video, our gear expert Lauren gives you the full rundown on the SolarHome 620 from BioLite.
She starts out by talking you through the background of the product, where you can use it, and the weight and dimensions. Then Lauren shows you all the components, the ports, outputs, light settings, and how to use the control panel.
After that, she talks you through setup options, demonstrates the light settings, and tells you the inbuilt battery runtimes - so check it out above for all the details.
0:00 - Intro
0:13 - Background & best uses
0:58 - Weight & dimensions
3:10 - Materials & construction
3:28 - Ports & outputs
4:10 - Light settings
4:49 - Using the control panel
7:06 - Setup options
9:39 - Demonsting light modes
11:14 - Battery runtimes

[@burtrat4851]

Another great review, cyclone season is over but will be getting one for the house. Permanently mounted with the solar panel detached, but easily reattached when necessary will be perfect. The Honda generator is good for the fridge, freezer, pedestal fans, computer and television etc, but self contained lighting is wssential. A perfect fit to our Companion battery pack and our many Zempire rechargeable lights. Well done Lauren. Cheers from North Queensland ✌

[@burtrat4851]

@Master Yoshi The 40, I already have a big arse folding solar panel, a deep cycle battery in a bat. Box and an inverter from Kings 4wd outdoors. It runs our Engel 40 lt fridge freezer from Snowys like a dream. I bought the 40 to charge lights, phones, walky talkys, rechargeable batteries, anything that is charged by USB. Haven't had to use it for real yet but for what it's designed for as a supplement for real power it fits the bill nicely. Go the 70 if you want but the money saved could be spent elsewhere as it doesnt charge itself. Hope this helps. Again, Cheers from North Queensland

[@SnowysOutdoors]

It's a pretty neat kit, I reckon I'm going to get one for my shed. ~ Ben

[@curbscrape8343]

Thanks for the in depth review - brilliant info. 👍🏻

[@SnowysOutdoors]

No problem, glad its helped! ~ Lauren

[@user-hz3jq2um7o]

Your number pls. I want to be biolite agent

[@bradthurkle7217]

Well that’s pretty nifty. Great review 👍

[@SnowysOutdoors]

I agree, Brad, it has a lot of potential use cases. ~ Ben

[@frankvonthienen3862]

That is a great tool. I am using it for camping, when out with my roof tent. The solar panel is „big“ enough to keep the charge to full on general sun light. In addition, you can buy a power supply (the little ones) to charge the batterie from main. Biolite is offering this for a high price, but you can get it cheaper in other places. Despite the plug, which has to fit perfectly. I don‘t have the PLUS ( I guess a larger batterie), but the rest is absolutely identical Would recomment it

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Thanks for your feedback, Frank, it's a neat bit of kit. ~ Ben

[@gunlabchris]

Good review

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Cheers @CHRIS Bear Lake! ~ Lauren

[@mountaingator001]

EXCELLENT THANKS

[@SnowysOutdoors]

No worries @mountaingator001! ~ Lauren

[@desmahebiton4534]

Looks like the solar panel doesnt come with a mounting frame. How do you get the right angle on the roof? Confused as to how it is attached to roof.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

There would need to be a bit of customisation here, Desma, it would depend on thinks like roof angle, roof direction and what you have to mount it to. The Biolite instructions indicate that you can use screws or wire to install and there are mounting holes on the rear. If you need it to sit at an angle that is different to your roof then you would need to build something to facilitate this. ~ Ben

[@desmahebiton4534]

@@SnowysOutdoors thank you for your reply. Much appreciated. I have one on order.

[@godfreychipata8371]

That's great i have one but now it displays error light problem service needed. How can i handle this matter?

[@SnowysOutdoors]

I'd suggest that consulting the user manual would be the first step, Godfrey, if that isn't working then you can get in touch with the place you purchased the unit, or getting in touch with BioLite directly. ~ Ben

[@godfreychipata8371]

Okay thanks so much

[@godfreychipata8371]

And what is the out put voltage for the lights?

[@SnowysOutdoors]

The lights don't have a voltage output, Godfrey, but each light is rated to 100 lumens. The system operates from a 6.5V battery, but I don't have detail on what power each light consumes sorry. ~ Ben

[@light487]

Rain/water resistance?

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Biolite don't mention water resistance, light487, it is designed as an interior lighting system though. ~ Ben

[@kilo255]

What is the cycle life of the battery inside the unit? Can the battery be replaced by the user when needed?

[@SnowysOutdoors]

The battery can't be replaced, KILO25, this is something we questioned too. I'm sure BioLite have a reason behind this but I'm not sure what that reason is. As for lifecycles, we are confirming this for you as it's not readily available information. ~ Ben

[@SnowysOutdoors]

So, we can't get a specific lifecycle for you sorry, and in reality it isn't a hard fast number anyway. I'd say that assuming the battery averages 50% discharge, then you can expect about 2000 cycles out of it. Hope that helps. ~ Ben

[@kilo255]

@@SnowysOutdoors thanks Ben, that’s good info to have. I’ll log data as I start to use my unit.

[@boscouwiringiyimana9149]

I bought a Biolite solar and now the code turns off after 5 minutes what can you help me with?

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Not much help we can offer without checking it out in person, sorry. Where are you located? I'll see if I can find a contact for you ~ Lauren

[@user-yw2mk1li2n]

why is my biolite writting light problem and so it is not working except for the radio

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Not sure Gladys, it'd need to be checked out. If you got it from Snowys, give us a buzz, otherwise get in touch with the retailer you purchased it from and they should be able to help you. ~ Lauren

[@danut1970]

Have this for a few years but not used in a while…now not waking up..any ideas?…solar panel connected and in sun for more than 4 hrs…

[@SnowysOutdoors]

When you say 'not used in a while', how long do you reckon? ~ Lauren

[@danut1970]

@@SnowysOutdoors I think since 2019☺😇

[@carolined5929]

Is the motion sensor light weather tight and can it be left outside through winter in the northern hemisphere?

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Thats a great question @Caroline D, and I'm going to say pretty confidently that its a no. I'd would be ok to leave up under an eve or a verandah where its not subject to getting rained or snowed on, but I wouldnt say they are suitable to be exposed year round. ~ Lauren

[@johanjoubert3506]

How long to charge in sunlight

[@SnowysOutdoors]

@Johan Joubert - according to BioLites specifications . It will take 4-6 hours to fully charge your system, depending on sun strength and if lights are in use. ~ Lauren

[@benscott4367]

I am curious to know the duration of time to charge my iPhone. I’d only charge it at night while sleeping, but if it’s a reasonable amount of time this would be perfect for my camper and my overland set up.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Hi Ben, the Solar Home battery has a 3300mAh capacity which is likely similar to or less than your phones battery, so you'd likely drain the Solar Home battery in an hour or two without the solar panel working it's magic, and you wouldn't get a full charge. If you were to continually completely drain the battery in the Solar Home you would shorten the life of the battery too. So I'd recommend charging your phone from the Solar Home during sunlight hours when the solar panel is working to keep the battery topped up. ~ Ben

[@benscott4367]

@@SnowysOutdoors Thank you for the speedy reply and information!

[@DidieOgOg]

Why your product has stopped

[@SnowysOutdoors]

@DidieOgOg - I dont understand the question sorry, we still range the SolarHome ~ Lauren

[@dx80cruiser]

3300mah is tiny. For that price point would expect more.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

They have a battery expansion port in the side, I assume Biolite have future plans for more battery capacity. ~ Ben

[@khwimawizer9141]

Biolite 620 is good product but at least make a 10w panel because 6w its too slow to charge the component and does not work when it's cloudy

[@SnowysOutdoors]

I'm sure Biolite will be working on improvements for future models. ~ Ben

[@user-hs6rn5if1k]

Ineed code

[@SnowysOutdoors]

not sure what that means, sorry! ~ Lauren

[@user-hz3jq2um7o]

I want to be a biolite agent

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Best get in touch with Biolite about that. ~ Ben

[@user-hz3jq2um7o]

@@SnowysOutdoors how can I get biolite

[@tonnyyayu1098]

No

[@SnowysOutdoors]

It won't suit everybody, Tonny. ~ Ben