X-Dragon 70W Solar Charger - Review and Testing

[@Muffz.]

Good video, thanks man. No doddling or extra fluff.

[@xchange.survival5986]

Thank you very much for your feedback. :)

[@josephpk4878]

I bought one and it just arrived. Problem is that it's cloudy and raining and I was disappointed that I couldn't try it out, so I decided on the next best thing - to watch a review. This was the first video I checked and my curiosity is completely satisfied - this solar array was a good buy. I'm going to add a reflective flap to the control box to help with heat issues - they should implement it in the cover design... low heat = happy circuitry. Thanks for the thorough and to-the-point review.

[@xchange.survival5986]

Welcome, I hope it was useful. I have another video doing a post-review (at the end credits) after a few months using the panel with a solar controller and a 12V motorbike battery. You can check that out for ideas on energy storage.

[@Nick-bo6rz]

Does it charge in winter without much or any sunlight at all? If so how fast would it work in comparison ? Thanks.

[@Homersimpson4eva]

Wow thanks

[@xchange.survival5986]

Welcome 🙂

[@mohavea66]

I really enjoy your video and the results does X-Dragon have a website . I planned to buy both X-Dragon and Bigblue 28w charger because they are portable.

[@xchange.survival5986]

Thank you very much. Check out my other video where I link this up with my 12V motorbike battery. I have been using this setup to charge my devices (Laptop, phones, powerbank)

[@k956upg]

I find it a bit bulky but it does charge my phone indoors in a bright room.. Compared to my 16w which charges my phone outside in light cloud.I’m tempted to just bring the little panel as it’s so much lighter. The USB ports on my 70w dragon are a bit close together & the pocket can only hold small cables as the panel won’t fold shut if I leave anything more in there..it’s more of a space to put the phone while the panel is open & you don’t want the phone in the sun

[@xchange.survival5986]

Totally agree with you on your feedback. The pocket its probably just for small wires. I would put my phone under the shade similar to this temporary setup but it may still heat up due to the charging and it being in the outdoors. Best is to have a long cable and connect it to a powerbank with surge protection. A smaller or lighter solar panel will be good for solo camping for a few days (if its just your phone). This panel is good for longer camps of up to 3 people usage (just charging powerbanks/ phones). I would recommend this to be place in the car as a "back up" charger for devices and car batteries. However, becareful when charging the car batteries too long as the voltage is not controlled and might damage your car battery (12/24V).

[@dmcalignments8385]

I like that plug tool you have, how is it called and where did you buy this one?

[@xchange.survival5986]

Are you refering to the USB multimeter that can measure Volts and Amps? Bought it from China, through a shopping app.

[@alexcrowder1673]

I gotta say, i got better results with the 28w bigblue solar charger. It seems to allow really high amp rates to power banks. I get over 4 amps sometimes

[@xchange.survival5986]

Thanks for your feedback In my other video, I linked my panel to solar controller and a bike battery. Managed to charge my laptop around 4 ton5 amps but thst could be the bike battery adding the power :) Usb to usb C outputs also have like a 1.5 to 2 amp limiter.. so it would not output more then that if you are solely using usb charging. However, if you attach the alligator clips to the panel directly, your power outage is way higher, around 18V 2A output.

[@alexcrowder1673]

@@xchange.survival5986 it was one of the ones on amazon that says "upgraded version". I imagine its had the safety limitations removed to be honest lol. Ive tested it many times and it never limits the amps. Im in mesa AZ so we get INTENSE sunlight here. I use my solar stuff mostly for power stations that have the 15v input and then i can use the higher voltage fast charge features of the power station to charge my phone even faster and more safely. If you havent heard of it check out the tawak brand power station. They have a 250watt hour (67,500mah) power station thats just as good as the entry level jackery one for literally half the price. Been using one literally daily for over a year just to see how good it is. Its still rock solid and i abuse the hell out of it. I use the 120v outlets on it even when i dont need too lol. It has 4 usb ports, 2 of which are very high watt fast chargers for personal devices like tablets and stuff. It also has usb c input for charging aswell as the 15v solar (also used for wall charger) The 120v outlets are 300w max continuous. Its a really solid product for 100 bucks. The price fluctuates, but it goes between 90 and 140 on amazon. Theres another one thats 89 dollars rightnow thats got very similar specs and 1 less outlet, but i haven't ever bought one so i cant say how good it is. The currently 89 dollar one on amazon is nddi power brand and 222watt hours and has a single 250 watt, 120v outlet.

[@xchange.survival5986]

Solar power for the win 👍👍 That's great that you have the right equipment for the job. I am hoping the tech of the future will provide us more options for sustainable living.

[@alexcrowder1673]

@@xchange.survival5986 same. My next project is an electric bike with a solar powered camper trailer that helps recharge it, or ideally, one that powers it completely during daylight hours. Ill need at least 1000w or more of panels though, and ill need 1000 usable watts, not JUST 1000w in ideal conditions.

[@xchange.survival5986]

Nice. If it works you should post it on youtube

[@McZerrill]

Hello, do you need to disconnect the battery from the car to recharge it with the solar panel?

[@xchange.survival5986]

Erm, I do not think you need to remove the car battery. You can connect the alligator clips directly (like jump starting a car). However, word of caution, the max voltage is 24 - 18V for the panel. Car batteries in my country (Singapore) are usually 12V batteries. I am unsure if your car battery is 12V or 24V. If the panel is in extreme sunlight, the panel will discharge 18-24V, it may cause you battery to bubble if your car batt is 12v. Always consult an expert when doing such things (I am not one though). Have a good day :)

[@theonewhoalwayssurvivedpap2550]

Interesting..did you bought it at amazon?

[@xchange.survival5986]

I bought this product from AliExpress for $163.63 SGD = $122 USD

[@hellaslick.Janibbu]

How is it working for u still?

[@xchange.survival5986]

Thanks for asking. Its been a year over, my setup works 24/7, hanging outside my balcony facing the morning sun (the surface is water resistant), the back of it is not. I am able to charge 2 power banks 👍if the sun is up the whole morning.

[@SwallCloud]

Hello, When clouds appear, for most solar panels, the recharge falls but does not go up when the clouds are gone, the same for this solar panel ?

[@xchange.survival5986]

Thank you for your question and sorry for the delay. This panel's system is very reliable. Honestly speaking, I have been using it for a year plus, and linked it with a small car battery. When there is cloud cover the charging rate falls but once the clouds disappear, the charge automaticallu goes back up again.

[@xchange.survival5986]

You can see how the panel is connected to the battery in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2fCmmSdbNKKjcU

[@SwallCloud]

​@@xchange.survival5986 Thanks, do we have the same product but supporting quick charge ?

[@xchange.survival5986]

@@SwallCloud Sorry for the delay. I don't sell this. I am just a user :) It does support quick charge from the usb but it depends how quick are we talking about - around 1.2 - 1.5 A per a usb port

[@SwallCloud]

@@xchange.survival5986 Merci, quelle norme quickcharge est supportées ? La 3, la 4 ?

[@jamesharris4270]

I ordered that same charger, nitecore ums2, now I understand it has the qc 3a, but for this I'm only concerned with the 5v/2a to charge 18650 cells at 2000ma, will this panel produce the 5v @ 2a?

[@xchange.survival5986]

This panel is said to produce 60 - 70watts from the DC port. However, each Usb port will produce about 5V, 1.5A (slightly more) each but that is because it is limited/protected by the solar charger so it won't damage products that can't take the 2A (I am guessing) So you get more out of the DC port 18v 2A.