How does a Solar Monkey work?

Yesterday we decided to get a little bit more techno and do our first informative video which demonstrates the Solar Monkey, Power Monkey and Sound Traveller speakers all working together using the power of the sun!

We have to say, however, that we are not the greatest when it comes to acting in front of the camera so we decided to stay out of the camera view and just do a voice over, we think it turned out well so we decided to show you, our readers and ask what you think of our first attempt at Monkey-ing around on video?



What is Solar Power?
OK, techy's let's talk about Solar Power and why we need it, as we know electricity is free electrons flowing along a cable and the sun does this by bombarding specific a thin layer of silicon with photons.

The bombardment releases electrons from the silicon sending it down the cable, giving you electricity, because so few electrons are released this way, currently we need large Solar Panels to give us a useful amount of electricity.

Today, however, with the advancement in silicon and chemicals such as nano phosphates we are getting better and better at releasing more electrons, gaining more power for the size of the panel, who knows? One day we may be powering our entire houses with a small solar panel on the roof.

Enough Solar Energy falls on the surface of the earth every forty minutes to meet the entire world's energy needs for the year.

The sun's power is produced by nuclear fusion which converts about 700 million tons of hydrogen to about 695 million tonnes of helium, the remaining 5 million tons is converted to energy during the reaction in the form of gamma rays and produces about 386 billion, billion mega watts!!!


This LASCO C2 image, taken 8 January 2002 by the Soho Space Observatory, shows a widely spreading coronal mass ejection as it blasts more than a billion tons of matter out into space at millions kilometres per hour. If you could remember this day, you would probably remember that your TV went a little funny!

Portable Power Packs

So, firstly, apologies for the long delay in posts, life has been hectic to say the least and we have not had time to blog.........that is our excuse and we have to stick to it!

During this period of silence we have been busy though, we built and launched our new website selling portable power packs, which are for busy people like you and me!

We had a meeting with PowerTraveller in Alton, met all the staff and had a good chat about them and what we can offer, it was lovely to meet them all and pleased we had the chance to see them.

Since arrival back into Spain we had lots more work to do with the website so blood, sweat and tears commenced once more! We have now added our re-seller logo to the website along with more images and price updates.

For those of you that have not been following us online, our website features products for those of us who use laptops, mobile phones, pdas, blackberry, hand held gaming devices, cameras - just to mention a few:

PowerMonkey - Portable phone charger
SolarMonkey - Portable solar charger
PowerGorilla - Portable laptop charger
SolarGorilla - Solar charger for mobile phones and laptops
PowerMonkey eXplorer - Charging device for a mobile
MotorMonkey - In car charger
UVMonkey - Solar energy tester

Look forward to chatting with you soon and feel free to send in any questions you might have about our portable power products.

Power Gorilla from Scorpion

In the beginning there was Powermonkey, then came Powermonkey eXplorer shortly to be followed by the Powerchimp. Now the zoo just got a little larger and the Monkey's are scattering since the arrival of the silver backed Powergorilla.

This ultimate emergency charger has come from an unknown land far, far away, traversed stormy seas and scaled impossible summits to reach us here in the UK.


Powergorilla is the ultimate portable charger for your laptop and the answer to many maidens prayers. This Silver Back will give you an extra 2-5 hours of Laptop power, depending on your laptop's spec and over 20 hours on various other electronic devices

Powergorilla will work with devices up to 24volts - so from your laptop, right the way down to your mobile phone or iPod! Just select which voltage you require; 5v, 16v, 19v or 24v and the LCD screen will indicate which setting has been chosen.



Then simply hook up your gadget and away you go! You can even daisy-chain, so whilst the Powergorilla is charging your laptop, you can charge the Powergorilla from the mains power supply.

Or you can charge your laptop and your mobile phone simultaneously! One-touch button technology means the Powergorilla is easy to use and its sleek, aluminium casing with shock resistant rubber protection strips makes it totally robust.

Powergorilla also has many safety features including output auto-lock, voltage limitation protection, short circuit protection, over charging protection and over heat protection.

Whilst it didn't annoy the troops this Silver Back has been on field tests out in Afghanistan where it was subjected to extremely hot temperatures and successfully charged a Dell laptop without problems.

Power Gorilla Kit Includes:
Neoprene travel case
Tip pack containing 8 male and 7 female laptop connectors
Tip pack containing connectors for most small devices
12v car charger socket
Universal AC laptop charger
Lightweight (631g)
Portable (220 x 130 x 15mm) and tough

Powergorilla really does let you ROAM WILD just like the Silver Back.

To use with Macbook Pro, Macbook Air and Macbook you will need an:
Apple Magsafe Airline Adaptor

Use the Apple Mag Safe Airline Adaptor to connect your powergorilla or solargorilla
to your Macbook, Macbook Pro or Macbook Air!

Simply use it with our car charger socket (included with the powergorilla - available to buy for the solargorilla), and you can power your laptop wherever you are!

This useful cable is sleek and lightweight and will work with in-seat DC power ports that are now available on many commercial airlines (check your airline regarding the availability of in-seat power ports).



In the desert, on safari, up a mountain or simply on the move, the Solargorilla gives you power anywhere under the sun. Solargorilla's 24 volt and 5 volt USB socket make it the ultimate renewable power station for your laptop, mobile phone, iPod and many more devices.

Solargorilla works via two PV (photovoltaic) solar panels, which generate electric current when they are exposed to light. The green LED on the Solargorilla indicates the strength of charge - the more UV intensity - the better it will work!

The technically advanced solar panels ensure superb power and reliable performance, all housed in a tough outer casing. Solargorilla is compatible with most laptops, mobile phones, iPods, PDAs, handheld games consoles and Sat Navs.

You can even use the Solargorilla to recharge the fabulous Powergorilla - simply attach it using the 2m extension cable and the L52D tip. A total portable power station!

Solargorilla features:
Tough, rubberised casing
Portable, fold-up design protects your solar panels when stored
Water resistant design
Slot to allow Solargorilla to be suspended on vehicle or tent for outdoor use
20V power socket out
Standard 5v USB socket
Green LED charging indicator

Dimensions: 264 x 200 x 19mm

Each Solargorilla kit contains:
1 x Solargorilla
8 x male laptop connectors
9 "monkey nuts" mobile phone connectors
1 x female USB charging tip for smart phones
PDA's
Other powered devices

Note:
Solargorilla is a charging option. It relies on the UV intensity of the sun. Therefore, at this time of year it may not be suitable for use in the Northern Hemisphere unless combined with the Powergorilla. The Solargorilla has been trialled successfully in the Southern Hemisphere by aid agencies, emergency services, the military and adventure travellers, where power is a crucial element of their communications strategy.

The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation suffered communications problems in the past and the products have been hugely acclaimed as being a long overdue solution to power issues. Pre-production units have also been on field tests in Africa, Australia and even Afghanistan.

The Solargorilla was extensively field-tested in the UK earlier this year, where it powered a number of laptops for a week at a time. To use with Macbook, Macbook Air and Macbook Pro you will need an Apple MagSafe airline adaptor and one of our universal car charger sockets. The MagSafe adaptor is available to buy from us. please contact us if you require the universal car charger socket.

To view more details about the Powergorilla click on the title or go to our website, alternatively, call 0800 4488059.