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Self Powered Electronic
Products
According to the California Department of Conservation, Americans use 2
billion non-rechargeable batteries a year for a variety of
portable uses. Batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium
and nickel which can contaminate the environment when improperly disposed
of. On average, each person in the US discards eight dry-cell batteries per
year. Although batteries generally make up less than 1% of municipal solid
waste, they account for a disproportionate amount of toxic heavy metals. In
1995, the EPA reported NiCd batteries accounted for 75% of Cadmium found in
solid waste. Learn more about household batteries in the
Solid
Waste section of our Education Center. If you have devices that
use replaceable batteries, visit the
Rechargeable Battery Chargers
& Batteries section for the most advanced products. View a
Comparison Chart of
Self Powered Flashlights. View a
Comparison Chart of
Self Powered Radios.
Benefits of Self Powered Electronics:
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Health &
Environment - toxic heavy metals from batteries can make it into
the environment and food chain where they pose health impacts on
humans. When
these batteries are land filled, they can leach heavy metals slowly
into the soil and ground and surface water. When batteries are
incinerated, certain metals may be released into the air or
concentrated in the ash that has to be disposed of. Mercury was phased out of certain batteries starting in
1996 with the signing of the Battery Act, but other heavy metals
such as Cadmium are still used, which are very toxic. Using self
powered electronics with rechargeable batteries
reduces the environmental levels of heavy metals, reduces the
number of batteries in the waste stream and greatly
reduces disposal requirements.
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Cost
Savings - self powered electronic devices use solar, wind-up and rechargeable
power to produce the energy needed to run the electronic device.
There is no need to continually buy non-rechargeable
batteries or replacement bulbs over and over again to operate your electronic device. For
example, a single electronic device that is used 2 hours a day
for one year could have a battery cost of $95 based on
purchasing 19 sets of 4C cell
alkaline batteries at $5.00 each set. In less than 6 months, an
average self powered device will begin to to save you money over
disposable battery products and will pay for itself within a year.
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Emergency
Preparedness and Energy
Independence - using
wind-up, solar and rechargeable power, Self-Sufficient Energy
Technology gives you freedom and independence
from traditional power sources, leaving you equipped for any
situation. Great for the outdoors, these products never run out
of available power. In an emergency, you are never left in the dark
looking for candles and batteries or without radio communication. An average battery operated flashlight
lasts only 10 hrs before battery replacement is needed. Self-Sufficient
Energy Technology combines wind-up,
solar and rechargeable power into unique, portable, consumer
electronic products that keep you powered wherever you go and
when electronic power is not available.
How It Works
Energy Supply - these
self powered devices use various energy charging options, such as
solar, wind-up or AC plug-in, to store energy in the integrated
rechargeable NiMH battery pack. All units feature a wind-up
mechanism in which an AC alternator is driven by a crank through a
transmission to convert human mechanical energy into stored
electricity. Hand cranks are folded into the flashlight or radio and
extended when needed. To power up the device using self generated
power, simply fold out the handle, wind-up in either a clockwise or
counterclockwise direction until the desired charge level is
achieved and then fold the handle back to the original position.
Light Source -
lighting is supplied by white Light Emitting Diodes (LED) instead of
incandescent bulbs. LEDs can produce comparable light to
incandescent bulbs, but are much more energy efficient and can last
up to 100,000 hrs.
About Freeplay Self Sufficient Products
Freeplay Energy Group
was founded in the mid 1990's to provide products using
self-sufficient technology to meet the needs for emergency
communication and diminish the dependence on traditional energy
sources. Freeplay is the leader in this category and is focused on
developing Self-Sufficient Energy Technology products. Many companies produce wind-up self powered products, but
not all products are made of the same quality components, provide
high light illumination or long operating times.
Freeplay products
have been tested against other Self-Sufficient Energy Technology products and Freeplay
flashlights and radios outperform all other products for
efficiency, illumination, power generation and operating times. For
example, Freeplay's lowest performing flashlight is 5 times more
efficient than the competitor's best flashlight and Freeplay's radio
played 3 to 5 times longer than other models with the same wind-up
time and speed. See
specific Freeplay products for details.
Key Features
of Freeplay Products:
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No disposable batteries are used for
operation, never worry about
disposing or replacing batteries.
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The LED lighting lasts up to 100,000
hrs. of operation and never needs replacement.
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Self-sufficient, solar and/or
wind-up power
charges on-board rechargeable battery. The more you wind to charge the
battery pack, the longer it operates. Wind-up at anytime.
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Internal and external components
specified to industrial standards for repeated use and long life
durability. Winder handle of tough glass
reinforced Nylon. Gear train made of tough glass
reinforced Nylon and Acetyl and tested to 500,000 cycles. Outer
casing thickness is twice that of competitor brands on average.
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Dependable Rechargeable Battery tested to
10,000 crank charge cycles without capacity loss and never needs
replacement.
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Products last a lifetime with rugged
design and quality components.
- 2 Year Warranty for defects in
materials or workmanship.
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Freeplay Kito LED Flashlight l
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- Simple, rugged, stylish and
reliable light is ready anytime, anywhere.
- Splash proof design, flashlight
will work in rainy conditions.
- Self-sufficient, wind-up power
charges on-board rechargeable battery.
- 10mm Ultra Bright white LED
provides illumination and up to 100,000 hr. operating life.
- Rechargeable Battery: 3.6V NiMH
battery pack.
- Shine Time:
- Fully Charged - 20 hrs. light.
- 60 Second Wind - 1 hr. light.
- Color Options: translucent blue,
yellow.
- Dimensions: 4.4"h x 3.1"w x
7.2"l.
- Warranty: 2 years for defects in
materials or workmanship.
- Weight: 16 oz.
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View a
Comparison Chart of
Self Powered Flashlights.
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- Kito LED
Flashlight - Blue or Yellow
- Price: $22.00
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Freeplay Sherpa X-Ray LED Flashlight l
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- Simple, rugged, stylish and
reliable light is ready anytime, anywhere.
- Non-slip rubber grip with splash proof design, flashlight
will work in rainy conditions.
- Two light brightness levels -
normal for low energy use, Ultra-Bright for light demanding
tasks.
- Self-sufficient, wind-up power
charges on-board rechargeable battery.
- A cluster of 7 Ultra Bright
white 5mm LEDs provide high lighting performance with up to
100,000 hr. operating life.
- LED charge indicator tells you
the optimum winding speed.
- 6V 100mA AC/DC adapter included for
household charging.
- Non-slip rubber grip.
- Rechargeable Battery: 3.6V NiMH
battery pack.
- AC/DC Adapter Charge Time: 24
hrs. after full discharge.
- Shine Time:
- Fully Charged - 20 hrs. normal
beam.
- Fully Charged - 3 hrs. 20 min.
ultra-bright.
- 30 Second Wind - 20 min. normal
beam.
- Color Options: translucent blue,
clear.
- Dimensions: 2.1"h x 2.4"w x
6.3"l.
- Warranty: 2 years for defects in
materials or workmanship.
- Weight: 13 oz.
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View a
Comparison Chart of
Self Powered Flashlights.
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- Sherpa X-Ray LED
Flashlight - Blue or Clear
- Price: $32.00
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Freeplay Indigo LED Table Lantern l
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- Indigo LED
Table Lantern - Green or Yellow
- Price: $38.00
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Freeplay Jonta LED Flashlight
l
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- Simple, rugged, stylish and
reliable light is ready anytime, anywhere.
- Splash proof design, flashlight
will work in rainy conditions.
- Two light brightness levels -
normal for low energy use, Ultra-Bright for light demanding
tasks.
- Flashing beam mode for emergency
signaling.
- Lanyard strap for secure
carrying.
- Self-sufficient, wind-up power
charges on-board rechargeable battery.
- Super Bright 1 watt Luxeon Star
LED burns as bright as a powerful incandescent bulb, lasts up to
100,000 hrs. and is controlled by a microprocessor
- Excellent light beam quality
maintains focus over 150 feet.
- LED charge indicator tells you
the optimum winding speed.
- Battery charge level indicator and
battery low warning light.
- 6V 200mA AC/DC adapter included for
household charging.
- Rechargeable Battery: 3.6V NiMH
battery pack.
- AC/DC Adapter Charge Time: 3-4
hrs. after initial full charge.
- Shine Time:
- Fully Charged - 24 hrs. normal
beam.
- Fully Charged - 2 hrs. 30 min.
max brightness.
- 30 Second Wind - 10 min. normal
beam.
- Color: silver.
- Dimensions: 3.4"h x 3.2"w x
8.5"l.
- Warranty: 2 years for defects in
materials or workmanship.
- Weight: 15.7 oz.
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View a
Comparison Chart of
Self Powered Flashlights.
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- Jonta LED
Flashlight
- Price: $67.95
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Freeplay Emergency Lighting Center
l
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- Wall mounted transparent cabinet
houses a bank of 3 X-Ray model wind-up, rechargeable
flashlights.
- Splash proof design, flashlight
will work in rainy conditions.
- Suitable for home, office or
commercial use.
- Simple, rugged, stylish and
reliable light is ready anytime, anywhere.
- A constant trickle charge from
the AC wall adapter keeps flashlights ready. Green LED on
flashlight illuminates when charging.
- In a power failure, an Ultra
Bright red LED flashing beacon is activated to help locate the unit in
the dark.
- Two light brightness levels -
normal for low energy use, Ultra-Bright for light demanding
tasks.
- Self-sufficient, wind-up power
charges on-board rechargeable battery.
- A cluster of 7 Ultra Bright
white 5mm LEDs provide high lighting performance and last up to
100,000 hrs.
- LED charge indicator tells you
the optimum winding speed.
- 6V 100mA AC/DC adapter included for
household charging.
- Includes mounting template for
hole locations and mounting hardware.
- Rechargeable Battery: 3.6V NiMH
battery pack.
- AC/DC Adapter Charge Time: 24
hrs. after full discharge.
- Shine Time:
- Fully Charged - 20hrs. normal
beam.
- Fully Charged - 3 hrs. 30 min.
ultra-bright.
- 30 Second Wind - 20 min. normal
beam.
- Color: red.
- Flashlight Dimensions: 2.1"h x
2.4"w x 6.3"l.
- Cabinet Dimensions: 9"h x
9.4"w x 3.2"d.
- Flashlight Weight: 13 oz.
- Cabinet Weight: 4.4 lbs. with
flashlights.
- Warranty: 2 years for defects in
materials or workmanship.
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- Emergency
Lighting Center
- Price: $99.95
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Freeplay EyeMax
Radio/Flashlight l
more info |
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- Simple, rugged, stylish and
reliable AM/FM radio with integrated flashlight is ready anytime, anywhere.
Great for the outdoors.
- Splash proof design, radio will
work in rainy conditions.
- Finely geared mechanical tuning
for accurate control.
- High performance speaker
provides excellent sound quality with no distortion at high
volumes.
- Earphone socket for personal
listening.
- Integrated Flashlight uses an
Ultra Bright 5mm LED to provide dependable light for everyday or
emergency use.
- Self-sufficient - solar or
wind-up power
charges on-board rechargeable battery.
- LED charge indicator tells you
the optimum winding speed.
- 6V 100mA AC/DC adapter included for
household charging.
- Rechargeable Battery: 3.6V NiMH
battery pack.
- Speaker:
- Size - 2.6"
- Impedance: 8 ohms.
- Output: 0.5 watt (max).
- Antenna:
- FM - telescopic.
- AM - built-in ferrite bar.
- Frequencies:
- FM - 88 - 108 MHz.
- AM - 500 - 1700 kHz.
- Three Recharging Power Supply
Options
- Solar Panel - photovoltaic cell
converts sunlight to electrical energy.
- Wind-Up - hand crank produces
energy from AC alternator.
- AC/DC Adapter - use household
electricity.
- Charging Time:
- AC/DC Adapter Charge Time: 24 hrs.
after full discharge.
- Solar Panel - in direct
sunlight, will charge and play radio simultaneously.
- Operating Time:
- Fully Charged - 25 hrs. normal
volume.
- 30 Second Wind - 35 min. normal
volume.
- Color: translucent blue.
- Dimensions: 4.4"h x 2.4"w x
7.3"l.
- Warranty: 2 years for defects in
materials or workmanship.
- Weight: 1 lb, 8.5 oz.
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View a Comparison Chart of
Self Powered Radios.
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- EyeMax
Radio/Flashlight
- Price: $49.00
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Freeplay EyeMax
Radio/Flashlight/Weatherband l
more info |
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- Simple, rugged, stylish and
reliable AM/FM/Weatherband radio with integrated flashlight is ready anytime, anywhere.
Great for the outdoors.
- Splash proof design, radio will
work in rainy conditions.
- Finely geared mechanical tuning
for accurate control.
- High performance speaker
provides excellent sound quality with no distortion at high
volumes.
- Earphone socket for personal
listening.
- Weatherband receives the 7 US
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Frequencies.
- Integrated Flashlight uses an
Ultra Bright 5mm LED to provide dependable light for everyday or
emergency use.
- Self-sufficient - solar or
wind-up power
charges on-board rechargeable battery.
- LED charge indicator tells you
the optimum winding speed.
- 6V 100mA AC/DC adapter included for
household charging.
- Rechargeable Battery: 3.6V NiMH
battery pack.
- Speaker:
- Size - 2.6"
- Impedance: 8 ohms.
- Output: 0.5 watt (max).
- Antenna:
- FM - telescopic.
- AM - built-in ferrite bar.
- Frequencies:
- FM - 88 - 108 MHz.
- AM - 500 - 1700 kHz.
- Weatherband - 7 NOAA
frequencies.
- Three Recharging Power Supply
Options
- Solar Panel - photovoltaic cell
converts sunlight to electrical energy.
- Wind-Up - hand crank produces
energy from AC alternator.
- AC/DC Adapter - use household
electricity.
- Charging Time:
- AC/DC Adapter Charge Time: 24 hrs.
after full discharge.
- Solar Panel - in direct
sunlight, will charge and play radio simultaneously.
- Operating Time:
- Fully Charged - 25 hrs. normal
volume.
- 30 Second Wind - 35 min. normal
volume.
- Color: yellow.
- Dimensions: 4.4"h x 2.4"w x
7.3"l.
- Warranty: 2 years for defects in
materials or workmanship.
- Weight: 1 lb, 8.5 oz.
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View a Comparison Chart of
Self Powered Radios.
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- EyeMax
Radio/Flashlight/Weatherband
- Price: $58.00
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Feeplay Summit
Multiband Radio
l
more info |
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- Simple, rugged, stylish and
reliable AM/FM/Multiband radio is ready anytime, anywhere. Great
for the outdoors.
- All digital controls with
automatic radio station scanning.
- High performance speaker
provides excellent sound quality with no distortion at high
volumes.
- Earphone socket for personal
listening.
- Four wave bands - MW (AM), FM,
SW, LW.
- Digital tuning with 30 station
presets - 10 FM, 10 MW, 5 SW, 5 LW.
- Digital LCD display with
backlight.
- 12 / 24hr Clock display with
alarm, sleep and snooze functions.
- Self-sufficient - solar or
wind-up power
charges on-board rechargeable battery.
- LED charge indicator tells you
the optimum winding speed.
- Includes portable short wave
antenna to boost reception and international shortwave guide.
- 6V 100mA AC/DC adapter included for
household charging.
- Replaceable Rechargeable Battery: 3.6V NiMH
battery pack.
- Speaker:
- Size - 2.6"
- Impedance: 8 ohms.
- Output: 0.5 watt (max).
- Antenna:
- FM - telescopic.
- WM - built-in ferrite bar.
- SW - telescopic.
- LW - built-in ferrite bar.
- Frequencies:
- FM - 88 - 108 MHz.
- WM - 540 - 1650 kHz.
- SW - 5.95 - 15.6 MHz.
- LW - 146 - 281 kHz.
- Three Recharging Power Supply
Options
- Solar Panel - photovoltaic cell
converts sunlight to electrical energy.
- Wind-Up - hand crank produces
energy from AC alternator.
- AC/DC Adapter - use household
electricity.
- Charging Time:
- AC/DC Adapter Charge Time: 24 hrs.
after full discharge.
- Solar Panel - in direct
sunlight, will charge and play radio simultaneously.
- Operating Time:
- Fully Charged - 20 hrs. normal
volume.
- 30 Second Wind - 30 min. normal
volume.
- Color: silver.
- Dimensions: 3.5"h x 3.2"w x
6.7"l.
- Warranty: 2 years for defects in
materials or workmanship.
- Weight: 1 lb, 8.7 oz.
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View a Comparison Chart of
Self Powered Radios.
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- Summit
Multiband Radio
- Price: $79.00
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Freeplay Sherpa
Flashlight & EyeMax Radio Set l
more info |
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Radio
- Splash proof design, radio will
work in rainy conditions.
- High performance speaker provides
excellent sound quality with no distortion at high volumes.
- Earphone socket for personal
listening.
- Weatherband receives the 7 US
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Frequencies.
- Integrated Flashlight uses an
Ultra Bright 5mm LED to provide dependable light for everyday or
emergency use.
- Self-sufficient, solar or
wind-up power
charges on-board rechargeable battery.
- LED charge indicator tells you
the optimum winding speed.
- 6V 100mA AC/DC adapter included for
household charging.
- Rechargeable Battery: 3.6V NiMH
battery pack.
- Speaker:
- Size - 2.6"
- Impedance: 8 ohms.
- Output: 0.5 watt (max).
- Antenna:
- FM - telescopic.
- AM - built-in ferrite bar.
- Frequencies:
- FM - 88 - 108 MHz.
- AM - 500 - 1700 kHz.
- Weatherband - 7 NOAA
frequencies.
- Three Recharging Power Supply
Options
- Solar Panel - photovoltaic cell
converts sunlight to electrical energy.
- Wind-Up - hand crank produces
energy from AC alternator.
- AC/DC Adapter - use household
electricity.
- Charging Time:
- AC/DC Adapter Charge Time: 24 hrs.
after full discharge.
- Solar Panel - in direct
sunlight, will charge and play radio simultaneously.
- Operating Time:
- Fully Charged - 25 hrs. normal
volume.
- 30 Second Wind - 35 min. normal
volume.
- Color: yellow.
- Dimensions: 4.4"h x 2.4"w x
7.3"l.
- Warranty: 2 years for defects in
materials or workmanship.
- Weight: 1 lb, 8.5 oz.
Flashlight
- Splash proof design, flashlight
will work in rainy conditions.
- A cluster of 7 Ultra Bright white
5mm LEDs provide high lighting performance and last up to
100,000 hrs.
- LED charge indicator tells you
the optimum winding speed.
- 6V 100mA AC/DC adapter included for
household charging.
- Rechargeable Battery: 3.6V NiMH
battery pack.
- AC/DC Adapter Charge Time: 24
hrs. after full discharge.
- Shine Time:
- Fully Charged - 20hrs. normal
beam.
- Fully Charged - 3 hrs. 20 min.
ultra-bright.
- 30 Second Wind - 20 min. normal
beam.
- Color: yellow.
- Dimensions: 2.1"h x 2.4"w x
6.3"l.
- Warranty: 2 years for defects in
materials or workmanship.
- Weight: 13 oz.
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- Sherpa
Flashlight & Eyemax Radio Set
- Price: $87.95
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Freeplay
FreeCharge WEZA Portable Energy Supply l
more info |
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- Self sufficient independent power
supply
- Foldable stabilizer arms make it
easily portable and compact for storage. Ideal for boats, RV's
and homes.
- In emergency situations, can be
recharged by human activity through step action on the step
treadle.
- Powerful enough to jump start a
boat or automobile battery and power a wide array of electrical
devices such as cell phones, GPS's VHF radios, etc.
- A definitive back-up power
supply for emergency situations.
- On board rechargeable battery
can be energized from AC or DC power, step treadle and solar or
wind power (solar panel & wind turbine not included).
- 12V auto adapter output socket
to power DC devices.
- LED Battery energy level
indicator.
- LED Effort indicator when using
the step treadle.
- Instructions include a Service
Manual with schematics and Troubleshooting Guide for user
serviceability.
- Accessories included:
- waterproof carrying bag.
- heavy duty 5ft. jumper cables
rated for 200 Amps.
- 18V 1.5 Amp AC/DC adapter charger
for 110V charging.
- DC charger cable for charging
from vehicle or boat.
- service tool kit.
- Rechargeable Battery: 12V 7Ah sealed
lead acid.
- Four Recharging Power Supply
Options:
- Solar Panel/Wind Turbine (not included) -
rated for 12V with 30W min. rating.
- Wind-Up - step treadle produces
25W - 40W energy (48W max).
- AC/DC adapter input. Charge time
8 hrs. after full discharge
- DC input from 10.7V to 21V
(2.1mm center pin positive).
- Output:
- 400 Amp max. draw jump start
terminals.
- 12V 10 Amps Cigarette lighter
output socket (fused, self resettable).
- 120 Watts max. DC power.
- Color: gray.
- Dimensions: 11.4"h x 8.6"w x
18.2"l.
- Weight: 17.75 lbs with battery.
- Warranty: 2 years for defects in
materials or workmanship.
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- Freecharge
Weza Portable Energy
- Price: $299.95
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