Every once in awhile something comes along that tickles my fancy because it is just so darn much fun. When that fun item is coupled with solid functionality, I am thrilled.
Such is the case with the SunBell Solar Lamp and the Little Sun. Both are 100% solar powered, simple to use, and a delight to look at. And of course, I have one of each to give away to lucky Backdoor Survival readers.
So what are they and how to they work? Let us take them one at a time, starting with the SunBell.
The SunBell Solar Lamp and Phone Charger
The SunBell is a lightweight solar-powered lamp that is totally powered by the sun. It consists of a lamp shade that also serves as a stand, LED light, USB phone charging port, charging cable, internal battery, and of course, the solar panel itself.
The SunBell can be used as a lantern and as flashlight. You can stand the lampshade on its base, slip the battery/LED fixture into the slots on top, and use the SunBell for task lighting. There is a flexible neck so you can easily adjust the task light for close work or reading.
Or, if you wish, you can hang it from a doorknob or a ceiling hook as a hanging lamp. There are lots of possibilities!
But there is more. You can detach the lamp and battery from the unit and hang it around your neck, giving you some hands free lighting as you wander around in the dark.
There are three light modes:
Bright – 4.5 hours
Standard – 13.5 hours
Dim – 135 hours
The bright and standard settings were good for reading while in my opinion, the dim setting was best used as a night light. Your mileage and preferences may vary, of course.
Charging the SunBell Solar Lamp
The solar panel is connected to the battery pack by a 9 foot charging cable. The charging cable is tucked into its base when not in use. Pretty ingenious, actually.
When I say that the SunBell battery is charged by the sun, I am only giving you part of the picture. I should really say that it is kinda sorta charged by the sun. The truth is that it’s internal battery can be charged up with out much sunshine at all. Partial sun or even cloudy conditions will charge the SunBell although the charging period will be increased. Still, that is a great feature especially for those of us living in a northern climate zone.
Just so you know, the specifications say that charging takes 3 hours in sun, 8 hours in partial sun, and 10 hours in cloudy conditions.
Does the Phone Charger Work?
Yes, absolutely. Not only that, I tried powering my iPad using the USB port and it actually worked. I did not keep it connected for long and I imagine this would quickly deplete the battery but still, it was good to know. I had similar luck with my Sony reader.
The Little Sun
The Little Sun is a much simpler device. You might recall that I mentioned it in the Sunday Survival Buzz.
There is not much to it. After charging it for 8 hours in direct sunlight (or slightly longer on an overcast day), you have a portable light that produces 10 hours of soft light or 4 hours of bright light. It comes with an adjustable strap that can also be removed. giving you lots of options for portability.
We have been using theLittle Sun on our deck at night to provide a soft glow that you just can’t get with traditional overhead lighting.
The Little Sun would be great as a gift for kids of all ages or for someone who has a passion for flashlights and portable lighting. Sound like someone you might know?
How to Enter the SunBell and Little Sun Giveaway – The Rules
Here is the part you have been waiting for. Backdoor Survival sponsor EarthEasy.com is giving a away both the SunBell and the Little Sun. There will be two winners, one for each product.
All you need to do to enter the giveaway is to select one or more of the options on the Rafflecopter form below. You can sign in with your email account or Facebook, the choice is yours. The best way to start is by clicking on “Easy Entry for Everyone”. After that, each option you select represents an additional entry. There are a few different options so pick and choose or select them all.
Please note that the winning item can only be shipped to an address in the United States or Canada.
The giveaway will end on Thursday, August 21 at 6PM PDT and the winner will be notified by email on or before August 24th. Note that the winning entry will be verified and the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
The “Rafflecopter”
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Final Word
I love my new solar-powered lamps. Not only are they great for emergencies but I find I am using them for everyday use both as a desk lamp and as outdoor lighting. I don’t have to worry about batteries because they can be powered outdoors, even when it is overcast.
Plus, with the Little Sun, just looking at it makes me smile.
A big thank you goes to Eartheasy.com not only for being a sponsor of Backdoor Survival, but for providing the SunBell and Little Sun to the two lucky winners. Good luck, everyone!
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
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Related Articles:
Will Solar Panels Survive an EMP?
Prepping for an EMP and Solar Flares
Getting a Bead on Setting Up a Simple Solar Panel Kit
Bargain Bin: For you convenience, here are some links related to emergency lighting and of course, the SunBell and Little Sun.
SunBell Solar Lamp: The SunBell Solar Lamp is a very cool portable lantern that does whole lot more than sit on a tabletop. I love the fact that it can be used as a task lamp or flashlight and that it can charge my phone. The fact that it charges my mobile device, too, is a bonus. Note: As of this writing, shipping is free when the SunBell is purchased from EarthEasy, a Backdoor Survival sponsor.
Little Sun Solar Lamp: The “Little Sun’ may look like a child’s toy but my gosh, after short charge in the sun, it generates 4 hours of bright light or 10 hours of soft light. I have been using it when I go out to the garage at night. I hang it around my next and skip the headlamp.
Dorcy LED Wireless Motion Sensor Flood Lite: Don’t let the $20 price lead you to think this wireless flood light is wimpy. I have two of these and feel that these lights are worth double the price. Using D-cell batteries, the Dorcy floodlight will light up a dark room or a dark stairway in an instant. I can not recommend these enough.
FordEx Group 300lm Mini Cree Led Flashlight: FAVORITE! Here we go with another flashlight. At the time of this writing, this one is only $3.80 with free shipping. It is super mini sized, bright and waterproof. Plus, it uses a single, standard AA sized battery.
Blocklite Mini Compact Size Ultra Bright 9V LED Flashlight: One of my readers (James) turned me on to the Blocklite. I now own four. There is a similar flashlight called the Pak-Lite (which is more expensive) but it does not have a high-low switch like this one. Less than $10.
Coleman Rugged Battery Powered Lantern: This sturdy Coleman has a runtime of up to 28 hours on the low setting and 18 hours on the high setting but does require D cell batteries. Personally, I have both a battery operated and propane lantern. Of course by now you know that I like redundancy with my preps.
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Shop the Emergency Essentials Monthly Specials
Although I have plenty of flashlights and batteries (you might even say I have a flashlight fetish) I also stay stocked up with a dozen of these Clear Mist 100 Hour Plus Emergency Candles as well. For the best deal, purchase a dozen at a time to get a discounted price. Be sure to also check out the Clear Globe attachment.
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Need something from Amazon (and who doesn’t)? I earn a small commission from purchases made when you begin your Amazon shopping experience here. You still get great Amazon service and the price is the same, no matter what.
Amazon has feature called Shop Amazon – Most Wished For Items. This is an easy tool for finding products that people are ‘wishing” for and in this way you know what the top products are. All you need to do is select the category from the left hand side of the screen.
The Amazon Top Most Wished For and Best Selling Outdoor Items
Emergency Preparedness Items from Amazon.com
Amazon Gift Cards
Help support Backdoor Survival. Purchases earn a small commission and for that I thank you!
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Spark Naturals has released their Essential 4 Pack in the larger, 15ml size. The kit includes, Lavender, Lemon, Melaleuca (Tea Tree) and Peppermint.
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Summer Survival Blast: SunBell and Little Sun Solar Lamps + Giveaway by Gaye Levy first appeared on Backdoor Survival.