FAQs - Solar regulators
Q: What is a solar regulator?
A: A solar regulator is a device that prevents the solar panels from overcharging the batteries which causes the battery plates to break down. 
Q: How does a solar regulator work?
A: There a different types of regulators. The less sophisticated types are basically switches, stopping current flow to the battery above a certain voltage and permitting flow when the voltage has dropped to a lower level after usage. The more sophisticated types adjust the charge current and voltage depending on the state of battery charge. When the battery is low the regulator allows a substantial flow of current, as the battery nears a fully charged state the regulator restricts the flow to just a trickle. Once the battery is fully charged the regulator stops the current flow until the battery charge decreases due to use and the regulator permits a certain level of charge current to flow again, and so on, in a continual cycle. The Prostar solar regulators are an excellent example of this technology, even the Projecta solar regulators have a float charge capabilty but lack the intelligence of the Prostars.

Eco Products, sustainable energy and energy efficient products
Q What exactly are eco products?
A Certain products are called environmentally friendly, ecologically acceptable or green products for various reasons.
Products made from recycled or recyclable materials are the highest calibre eco products, more so if the manufacturing process is ecologically benign as well.
Non-toxic cleaners, paints, pest controls, household consumables, etcetera, that do not pollute the soil, air and water are, by definition, environmentally friendly.
Composting systems, that convert food waste and other organic material into beneficial soil enhancers and plant food, like the popular Bokashi bucket, are the epitome of greenness.
Other eco products conserve water by diverting wastewater and rainwater to the garden or conserve water using tap timers and flow restrictors.  
Q What are sustainable energy products?
A Sustainable energy products employ renewable energy technologies to assist in averting global warming caused by the build-up of greenhouse gases.
The most widely used of these sustainable energy technologies is solar power in the form of solar panels, also know as photovoltaic cells.
Another widely used clean energy technology is wind power using wind turbines.
Fuel cell energy generation technologies are an emerging green technology as well.
Q What are energy efficient products?
A Energy efficient eco products use less electricity.
Compact fluorescent lights and LED lights, commonly called eco lights, are the most well know example, we could even include electrical timers that switch off mains electricity to appliances that use standby power even when not in use.

Solar Chargers and dynamo-powered products  
Q Are solar panels expensive?
A No, Solar panels and dynamo-powered products are comparatively cheap when you consider the power savings, not to mention convenience of being able to charge your mobile device wherever you are.
 These devices are similar in price to conventional universal chargers, yet they don't consume electricity. 

Solar Lights 
Q What’s the advantage of using solar lights and solar lanterns?
A The most obvious advantage is the energy savings, solar lights use energy from the sun. 
 Another advantage is the easy installation, It does not require external wiring because each light is a self-contained unit.  
Q How does a solar light work?
A A solar cell uses sunlight during the day to charge a rechargeable battery that powers an LED light at night.  
Q Do I have to switch the solar light on at night?
A No, the light has a light-sensitive switch to automatically switch the solar light on at night and off during the day when the solar light.
Some units do have an on/off switch to avoid discharge of the battery when left in storage; once the solar light is installed it should be left on.
Q What is the most common complaint customers have when installing solar lights?
A That the light does not come on at night. This is usually because the solar light is too close another light source and the photo switch sees this as daylight. The remedy is to cover half the photocell (a small circular lens on top of the unit) with some masking tape or duct tape to shade it from the other light source. 
Q How can I test if the light is working properly? 
A Try covering the photocell with your thumb, if that does not cause the light to come on then place the light in a very dark room or closet and the light should come on. 
 If it still does not work, the battery may be faulty, try replacing it with another rechargeable battery of a similar size, (usually AA). It may also be that the battery just needs to be charged up, it takes two or three days for the solar cell to fully charge a battery. 

 Eco gadgets
Q What is an eco gadget?
A A device, usually electronic, that utilises alternative energy such as solar power, wind power or hand operated dynamo to provide  a small amount of electricity to charge small handheld devices like mobile phones, cameras, mp3 players, etc.
Q How do I connect my mobile phone, MP3, digital camera or personal electronic handheld, to the charger? 
A Just plug the solar charger into your device's charger socket, but make sure the tip is identical to the original. 
Most phones and MP3 players can be charged with the supplied connectors but some late models or makes may not fit, If you’re not sure after reading the product specifications then please call or send an email with the make and model of your device.
 Some chargers are only capable of charging a mobile phone so ask first before you buy.
The universal chargers have different voltage outputs so check you device's charging voltage first, for instance, most mobile phone chargers will have the output voltage written on the plug, for instance: 4.2V    1.5A , that means the output voltage is 4.2 volts, the current is 1.5 Amps , it’s the voltage that is important, so select the nearest output voltage setting on the solar charger, eg; 5 volts. 
Q What is the most popular eco gadget?
A The magic torches are popular because of their dual use as a torch light and mobile phone charger. It has connectors for most makes of mobile phones.
And the solar powered backpacks have become popular as well.
Q What is a solar powered backpack? It sounds like something the jetsons would use!
A The solar powered backpacks and sling bags are normal backpacks that have integral solar panels connecting to a battery pack.
The battery pack can be used to power handheld devices such as mobile phones, walkmans or Mp3's.
The power and charging leads are run through weatherproof  ports in the compartments that allow you to use it while walking without having the cables getting tangled.  
Q Which is the best solar powered charger?
A My favourite, and the most technologically superior, is the Soldius universal solar charger 
This is the only really ‘green’ solar charger because it does not require batteries to store the charge, but takes power directly from the solar panel.  
Q Why are batteries bad for the environment?
A Batteries are a real blight on the environment, some have nasty chemicals and heavy metals inside them that pollute and poison the natural ecosystems. We can reduce environmental damage by using rechargeable batteries whenever possible.
Q Do all the eco gadgets that require batteries have rechargeable batteries?
A All except the Osram Dot-It LED lights, they have standard AAA batteries fitted when purchased but when those are flat you should replace them with rechargeable cells.
We chose to include the DotIt lights because they are very useful. The adhesive backing allows you to stick it to most surfaces and they are small enough to slip in your pocket or handbag for easy use. 
 Plus, the LEDs use very little power and it can left on for more than a week before the batteries run down.

Bokashi
Q What is Bokashi?
A Bokashi is a Japanese word meaning fermented organic matter. It does not compost, although the Bokashi bucket is often referred to as a composter.
The organic matter, usually food scraps, is placed in the container and seeded with Effective Micro-organisms, also called EM. 
Q Can I use any food scraps?
A Don’t add liquids like milk, orange juice and oils, or thick paper or plastic wrap, or bones.
Any other kitchen scraps including cooked or uncooked meats, fish, vegetables, dairy products, grains and bread, teabags, coffee grounds, tissue paper and plants.
Q Can I leave it indoors?
A Yes, Bokashi is not an aerobic process like composting that produces a rotting smell.
It is anaerobic, not requiring air.
The Bokashi bucket must be kept sealed for the process to work. 
Q Won’t it smell to have it in the kitchen?
A No, Bokashi is a fermentation or pickling process, so it has pleasant odour similar to that of pickles or cider vinegar.