Description
The LightSaver MAX is the big brother to the LightSaver personal solar charger kit. The MAX is a 10 Watt, 66 Watt-Hour, self-contained high-sensitivity thinfilm solar module with integrated lithium storage battery. Like all Powerfilm, it is designed, engineered and manufactured in the United States. It’s durable and includes a high efficiency charging circuit so you get more solar power into your device.
LightSaver MAX features 10 Watts of durable solar cells that can take a beating. We learned from our military contracts and pass on that same technology to you.
Don’t mess with bulky panels that fill up your pack. A compact design lets you store it anywhere.
When you need it, connect your USB device and charge it up. The ultra efficient 18,000 mAh battery (66 WHr) will keep you connected wherever you are.
Why LightSaver MAX?
Longer Days With Thin Film Solar
Using thin film solar cells has its advantages over standard crystalline cells. The LightSaver is able to capture power in much lower daylight levels than standard solar chargers. This means it starts charging earlier in the day, and later in the afternoon, and provides more useable energy over the course of any day of the year than any other solar charger in its power range.
When reliable power is needed, Powerfilm Solar delivers.
Convenient All-In-One Design
Standard personal solar chargers on the market are bulky and lack energy storage. The LightSaver MAX’s high performance electronics, dependability and compact design put it in a class all by itself.
The LightSaver Max features a state of the art roll out thin film solar panel to keep your devices powered on the go. Thin film solar cells help make the LightSaver MAX thinner and more portable than any other comparable solar charger on the market.
Industrial grade fabric will stand up to the elements and the incredibly durable solar panel make the LightSaver Max insanely durable and ridiculously dependable.
The LightSaver Max can be mounted and charged on the go. Weighing in at a mere 1.5 lbs it’s perfect for an extended trek adding little weight to your backpack.
In our fast paced mobile world, power is no longer an option but a necessity. With cutting edge technology, a sleek design and industry leading durability, the LightSaver MAX keeps you connected.
LightSaver MAX Specs
Size…
Rolled: 34.3 x 6.35cm / 13.5 x 2.5 x 1.5”
Unrolled: 87.6 x 34.3cm / 34.5 x 13.5”
Weight: 682g / 1.5 lbs
Battery:
Lithium Polymer
Rated Capacity: 66 Watt-Hours = 18,000 mAh (@ 3.7V)
Power In…
Solar : 10W ASi Powerfilm thin film
USB-C
12V (male CLA car plug)
Power Out…
USB: Dual 2.5A ports (5V regulated)
12V (5A peak) (female CLA car socket)
Solar Charge:
6-8 hours of full sun will charge the LightSaver from empty. The solar panel can provide up to 60 Watt-Hours of energy each summer day (up to 30 Watt-Hours on days with sub-optimal sunshine)
Wall Charge: 3 hours
What’s In The Box…
- Lightsaver Max Solar Charger
- 12V Car Charging Input Cable
- 12V Cigarette Socket Output Cable
- USB-A to USB-C Charging Cable
Mark Job –
I purchased this item back in 2021 and the first unit I purchased FAILED ! IMHO, this device has two design deficiencies, which can render the device either A) Useless to your application, or B) It will heat up and fail !! While operating in the 12 Volt DC output mode, one must be (carefully) aware this device has a <> output current rating of ONLY 5 AMPS !!! Most 12 Volt DC applications are drawing current @ 8 to 12 Amps !!! I carefully tested out my LightSaver Max by using it to charge a 12 Volt Solar Generator set to a maximum safety draw of only 4 Amps maximum draw. Even at 4 Amps current draw limit the SolarMax ‘s 12 Volt DC output got very hot ! This is unacceptable for a battery pack costing this much money. The second design deficiency has to do with the roll out solar panel itself. Unfortunately, the manufacturer chose to employ Polycrystaline Solar Cell Technology instead of the much more efficient Monocrystaline Solar Cell technology. Therefore, you will not only be unable to charge your LightSaver Max on cloudy days, but also if the sun moves and any tree shade falls over the panel. Also, in many areas in Northern Canada, the basic inclination of the Sun at 49 degrees North or higher produces dreadful results on all Polycrystaline solar technology in terms of basic charge efficiency ! After extensive testing @ 49 degrees North on Peak Summer Sunny Days, the battery will charge to nearly full around 9 hours. If the LightSaver Max is 50 % to 70 % charged, and then exposed to charging with its roll out solar panel, I have observed the battery actually discharging downward to a newer, but much lower level, then slowly charging up again ! Not Cool ! If you are powering 12 Volt DC electronics, or USB based electronics, phones, or cameras, then the battery will work fine enough (as long as you do not exceed 3.5 Amps maximum draw !) The farther South you reside, the better the roll out solar panel should work (i.e. The closer to the Equator you are). IMHO the manufacturer needs to address these design issues, starting with a more powerful roll out solar panel, and allowing for 12 Volt DC output at 10 to 12 Amps (NOT 5 Amps “Peak.”)
admin –
Mark, thanks very much for your review of the LightSaver Max. We’ve been working with Powerfilm for over 15 years now, and they are always excellent. We will forward your review to their marketing team.
I’d like to respond to a few of your comments in order to clarify a few points for readers. Powerfilm made some very specific design choices for this product.
First, the output limit of the battery is the determining factor in how much power the unit can deliver. The 5A limit for a Lithium Polymer battery pack of this size is very generous, and for safety reasons, this limit is set. If you noted that the unit heated-up at 4A, this is an indication of stress on the battery. 3A is more typical for small LiPO batteries (ie 2C rate). Note that Powerfilm has had this LightSaver Max off the market for almost 2 years now as they are in the process of upgrading the battery. We are keen to see the results.
Your comment regarding the nature of the solar module itself is unfortunately incorrect.
Powerfilm’s technology is Amorphous thin-film, not Polycrystalline. Powerfilm’s amorphous cell technology is deposited on a flexible poly substrate that allows it to be extremely lightweight and flexible. Hence it can be wrapped around the LightSaver Max’s battery for easy transport.
This thinfilm cell technology is less efficient than standard monocrystalline solar cells (less than half as efficient), but this only means that the same solar panel area would provide 20W peak if it was monocrystalline instead of amorphous. But, such is the trade-off for extreme portability.
While only 50% as efficient, amorphous is more sensitive. This is why thin film is what gets used in solar calculators that work indoors. Thin film will reach threshold voltage and start producing useable power earlier in the day, and later in the afternoon than crystalline. Hence, a 10W amorphous solar panel can generate more useable energy over the course of an entire day than a 10W crystalline panel will (but it will be twice as large, and not as long-lived chemically).
When we outfit Parks Canada research teams with pack-in/pack-out solar equipment, it is almost always Powerfilm thin film. Lightweight & effective are the main power system design concerns.
Your last comment regarding the charge indicator is well taken. The LEDs approximate battery state-of-charge in 20% intervals. When the unit is exposed to light, it will indicate the level it is charging at. For example, if the battery is showing 3 LEDs, it is somewhere between 60% & 80% full. Roll-out the panel, and it may start flashing the second LED to indicate that it is charging the 40-60% range. This may only be for a short period of time, but it is somewhat misleading. I see this behaviour on many battery packs.
If you would like a more powerful version of the LightSaver Max, this can be built using their standard rollable solar modules and a LiFePO4 battery pack. Single panels are available up to 60W in this weatherproof format, and a good battery match would be 20Ah. Not as portable as the LightSaver of course, but much higher output capability (for comparison: 20Ah, 12V LFP battery can deliver up to 40A).
Cheers!
MATTHEW GILLARD (verified owner) –
Had this now for several months since they started stocking them again. My primary use is for field power using my LAB599 TX-500 which draws 10 watts of peak power. I’ve ran it for several hours doing some POTA work over several days and it still maintains about 25-50% of a charge. Works very well with zero issues. I get the end caps could be designed better but I haven’t had any actual issues with them. I also recognise the complaints people make regarding the charging indicator but once again I haven’t had any actual issues and find it works good enough to do it’s job. All around I would give this 5 out of 5 stars but you can’t ignore the price of this thing. It’s expensive so 4 out of 5.