Are the phone connectors for specific makes and models?
We supply 4 different phone connectors that connect from our solar panel & power pack directly to a phone: micro USB (soon to be the world standard), mini USB, Alcatel 3.5mm (which also fits most Nokia’s and some other models), and finally Motorola 3.2mm. These will fit many different phone models and the vast majority of those in the developing world.

Do the radio connectors only replace ‘D’ cells in radios and other small appliances?
Radio Connectors are sized to match D-cells (80% or more of radios in Africa take D-cells). Appliances that take smaller size batteries won’t fit.

How can you tell when the products are charged or how much life they have left?
A green led flashes while charging but will burn continuously when fully charged (but still connected to the power source), to alert the user that he can now use the panel for another appliance. There is no ‘fuel gauge’ to indicate how much power is left. Such a feature would make the product more expensive, whilst the electronic circuit needed for it would consume power that can be used for lighting, playing radios etc.

How are the lamp and the battery pack protected from overcharging?
The lamp & power pack have charge controllers that protect the rechargeable batteries inside from overcharging.

Do the radio connectors store power?
No. The radio connectors are simply a convenient and safe way to connect a  power source (such as the solar panel or the battery power pack) to a radio (or other appliance). One places the connectors directly into a radio where batteries would usually go. The active connector has a jack to plug the lamp or battery back directly into. Thus, a radio will work only while attached through the connectors to a power source.

How do the lamps do in the rain? Are they water proof?
The panels are fully weather proof, but the other products are not.

However, the lamp is also designed to withstand humidity (e.g. heavy dew if accidentally left out overnight). Testing of early prototypes in humid environments in Africa revealed that if exposed to dew or extreme humidity, moisture could form condensation within the transparent bulb. This was addressed by designing tiny ventilation holes: any condensation that might form will now naturally disappear.

Can you charge the lamp directly with the solar panel, or do you have to have the battery pack?
You can charge the lamp directly, as it has a chargeable battery included. In most cases people choose the solar panel and rechargeable lamp as the entry set. It is not necessary to purchase at the same time the battery pack, which is mainly used to charge mobile phones at night or play radios during the evening when the sun has set.

How long does the lamp last?
In order from lowest intensity setting to brightest: 50 hours, 22 hours, 11 hours, 7 hours. This will degrade slowly over time as it is dependent on the age of rechargeable battery. However, ToughStuff products use special high temperature rechargeable batteries which perform much better than standard batteries in tropical environments. 

How many years does the lamp last?
At least two years. The limiting factor will be gradual degradation of the  rechargeable batteries. These cells confirm to IEC European standards of retaining more than 60% capacity after 500 cycles. A cycle is counted as discharging and then fully (not partially) charging a fully charged battery. Deterioration is therefore gradual. A product is not necessarily fully discharged every day, and 500 cycles is likely to equate to over 2 years, after which 60% service can still be expected.

The LEDs have a life of over 70,000 hours so they will exceed the batteries significantly. If rechargeable AA batteries are available locally, then it is possible to take the lamp to an electrician and ask him to replace the exhausted old batteries with fresh rechargeables. After that, the lamp would be as good as new. We expect that a market would develop for refurbished 2nd hand lamps (which could then become available to those that can’t afford a new set).

How long does it take to charge a lamp? A mobile phone?
This depends on the intensity of avaible sun light and the latitude. To fully charge one lamp takes about 6 hours under full tropical sun: there might be 8-12 useful sun hours per day depending on the location. Most cheap phones in develop countries take 3-4 hours to charge. Most people buy one panel and one lamp, and then use the extra panel capacity to charge up a phone or listen to the radio.

To sum it all up…
ToughStuff relentlessly tests our products with very low-income families in Madagascar. Our research and their feedback has determined that 1 watt is the ideal size to minimize costs and solve people’s needs. This 1 watt panel will charge most cheap African cell phones in 2-3 hours of good lighting. It will also full charge our LED lamp in 5-6 hours; a fully charged Lamp provides ambient (low) light for 30 hours and lighting bright enough to read by for 4-5 hours! Additionally, because our products feature thin-film technology, they perform better in less-than-perfect lighting than other types of PV.
Our panels are unbelievably Tough!