# Solar powered devices?

**URL:** <https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491>\
**Category:** The Lab\
**Created:** [September 8, 2015, 2:29am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491 "2015-09-08T02:29:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Noctifer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/noctifer/32/458_2.png) [@Noctifer](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Noctifer)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 2:29am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/1 "2015-09-08T02:29:43Z")

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I was wondering if i can make an item for my mod that would recharge its batteries when in the sun. Like if it had solar panels installed.

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**Author:** ![Random\_dragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4da419/32.png) [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 3:18pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/2 "2015-09-08T15:18:13Z")

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Add that and rechargeable batteries I wish was a thing. ;w;

Technically you can do that “charge on the go” thing if you have the UPS item mod installed and use the UPS bionic, at least.

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**Author:** ![BigD145](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/bigd145/32/863_2.png) [@BigD145](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/BigD145)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/3 "2015-09-12T18:04:13Z")

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If you know anything about vehicles and crafting, most of that is possible. Solar panels on a single device won’t do you much good. To make it feasible you’d have to make them overpowered. So you’re likely better off making a solar charging cart with bays for removable batteries.

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**Author:** ![Noctifer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/noctifer/32/458_2.png) [@Noctifer](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Noctifer)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 6:17pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/4 "2015-09-12T18:17:58Z")

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The thing is it would cut out the middle man out of the equation. No longer needing to find a charging station and recharging battery mod or having a high up skill to craft them. Maybe a couple of solar cells would do.

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**Author:** ![kevin.granade](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/kevin.granade/32/1316_2.png) [@kevin.granade](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kevin.granade)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/5 "2015-09-12T18:24:54Z")

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You’d need to make the item deployable, like a funnel, and use the solar panel code from vehicles, should be pretty straightforward. Obviously this isn’t json-only changes.

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**Author:** ![Random\_dragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4da419/32.png) [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/6 "2015-09-12T18:33:38Z")

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> [@Kevin Granade](#):
>
> You’d need to make the item deployable, like a funnel, and use the solar panel code from vehicles, should be pretty straightforward. Obviously this isn’t json-only changes.

The issue is that the OP is suggesting something man-portable, from what I can tell.

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**Author:** ![Noctifer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/noctifer/32/458_2.png) [@Noctifer](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Noctifer)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 6:53pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/7 "2015-09-12T18:53:32Z")

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I intended it to be item specific. Like a solar powered flashlight that was built to be a solar powered flashlight.

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**Author:** ![Random\_dragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4da419/32.png) [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 7:05pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/8 "2015-09-12T19:05:43Z")

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Right. Either way, that means the function is tied to the device, not a furniture or vehicle. Not sure how to go about that.

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**Author:** ![kevin.granade](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/kevin.granade/32/1316_2.png) [@kevin.granade](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kevin.granade)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 7:19pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/9 "2015-09-12T19:19:03Z")

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I’m not clear on how you want it to work.  
Do you want it to work like a real solar powered flashlight, where you leave it out to charge so it’s ready to use, or do you want it to charge while you’re walking around?

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**Author:** ![Random\_dragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4da419/32.png) [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/10 "2015-09-12T19:25:56Z")

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Technically either way could work. In particular, a solar-powered wearable flashlight would work both ways if you wore it.

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**Author:** ![Noctifer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/noctifer/32/458_2.png) [@Noctifer](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Noctifer)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 7:43pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/11 "2015-09-12T19:43:03Z")

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Either way would work. The only difference is that while walking you could use it while charging. Maybe eliminating the reload of batteries would also make sense.

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**Author:** ![Random\_dragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4da419/32.png) [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 8:13pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/12 "2015-09-12T20:13:03Z")

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Yeah. I might suggest having it not recharge if it’s just in your inventory, so you’d need to wield or wear it, or leave it dropped somewhere that gets sunlight.

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**Author:** ![Noctifer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/noctifer/32/458_2.png) [@Noctifer](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Noctifer)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/13 "2015-09-12T20:20:57Z")

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Yes,that seems reasonable. now if only this gained traction…

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Random\_dragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4da419/32.png) [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 8:22pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/14 "2015-09-12T20:22:05Z")

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If only I knew how to code it. ;w;

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Noctifer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/noctifer/32/458_2.png) [@Noctifer](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Noctifer)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/15 "2015-09-12T20:23:03Z")

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> [@Random\_dragon](#):
>
> If only I knew how to code it. ;w;

If only I knew how to code properly…

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kevin.granade](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/kevin.granade/32/1316_2.png) [@kevin.granade](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kevin.granade)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 8:33pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/16 "2015-09-12T20:33:35Z")

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Either way, having it charge while wielded is kind of pointless, (worn makes some sense) because you’re going to need hours of charging to get minutes of illumination.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Random\_dragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4da419/32.png) [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 8:38pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/17 "2015-09-12T20:38:16Z")

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Charging while wielded would only be for the sake of consistency. You can play a guitar wielded or worn, right? It’s realistic and logical, but in practice you’re going to wear it instead if you have the option and intend to use it. \>.\>

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Noctifer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/noctifer/32/458_2.png) [@Noctifer](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Noctifer)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 9:07pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/18 "2015-09-12T21:07:07Z")

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This is assuming all solar powered items (if implemented) would be wearable. Assuming some would not,charging while welding or on the ground makes sense.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Random\_dragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4da419/32.png) [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 9:18pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/19 "2015-09-12T21:18:25Z")

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Exactly. Though we could instead make it as an electronics mod for existing items. This would allow a wider ranges of devices to be solar-powered, but would allow doing it with items that make no sense to solar-power. X3

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Noctifer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/noctifer/32/458_2.png) [@Noctifer](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Noctifer)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 9:39pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/solar-powered-devices/10491/20 "2015-09-12T21:39:52Z")

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My fear for that is that a mod for items would be centered on specific item classes. For example,I made a rifle that works on batteries but I can’t uses a double battery mod since it can only be used in tools.

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