FAQ

General FAQ

Our models include the Solio Bolt, Classic, Rocsta, Mono and Magnesium chargers. Our different models also have a varied range of design, battery sizes and package contents. NOTE: The following descriptions pertain to non-iGo models, additional notes on iGo model chargers is included at the bottom of this subfield.

The Solio Bolt has two solar panels that fold out and the largest internal battery of all of our solar charging devices. Unlike our older models of Solio chargers, the Bolt has an integrated USB port and does not use adapter tips. This allows you to use the dedicated USB charging cable that came with your device.

The Solio Classic has three solar panels that fold out as well as a larger internal battery than that of the Rocsta and Mono models. The Solio Classic additionally comes with seven Solio adapter tips and a pencil to position the charger towards the sun.

The Solio Rocsta has a different design than the other models. The Rocsta has a single exposed solar panel, an integrated carabiner clip at the top, and an attached system cord. It has a smaller internal battery than that of the Classic. The Rocsta comes with six Solio adapter tips and a LED Light tip.

The Solio Mono has a single solar panel design with a hole in the unit above the solar panel to allow for fastening to a backpack. We have different Mono chargers sold through different retailers that include varying adapter tips, but the basic design is the same.

The Solio Magnesium has a near identical design to the Classic but has a different charge cable design and has a slightly larger internal battery. Additionally, the Magnesium shell was only manufactured in a silver color and has ridges, and uses iGo adapter tips.

We also have several Solio/iGo models, most frequently found at RadioShack retailers. These models include the Classic-i, Rocsta-i, and Mono-i. Please note that those chargers will not include Solio adapter tips and will need to use the iGo tip system. For more information on this please see the iGo tip related subfield under Older Model Solio Chargers or visit www.igo.com.

Your entire order will be delivered in one shipment. If one item is on backorder the entire order will ship only once the backordered item(s) become available. If you would like to check on the status of your order, please contact our customer support team by completing a Support Form or by calling 800-653-4099. You can also log on to your Solio account at www.solio.com.

The red flashing LED indicates that the Solio’s internal battery may need to be replaced. You can purchase a new battery through our webstore in the Accessories and Replacement Parts section. A video detailing the process of replacing the battery can be found on our youtube page here.

Just like a cell phone battery, Solio’s internal lithium ion battery may eventually need to be replaced. The expected life span of your Solio’s battery is approximately 350-500 full cycles of charge and discharge depending on care and average use. Keep your battery as fully charged as possible to extend its life. If you need to replace your Solio’s battery, they are available in the Accessories and Replacement Parts section of our webstore. A video detailing the process of replacing the battery is available here.

No, the Solio was not designed for use with inverters. DC to AC inverters may damage the internal battery and will void the manufacturer warranty.

Yes. Just like a cellphone, fully charging your Solio from the USB port or AC adapter helps optimize the Solio’s internal battery and prolongs the life of the battery.

Our international customers are responsible for VAT charges that may be charged by the international government, which could be as much as $50. We will include a copy of the invoice with the package for customs. Please note that international orders must clear customs and can take longer than orders shipped within the United States.

No. However, Solio is engineered to be rugged and weather resistant. Leaving your unit out in a light sprinkle or getting it slightly wet should not be a problem. If this does occur, please let the unit dry completely before trying to use again.

Better Energy Systems, Inc. (BES) guarantees your Solio Product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for 12 months or according to the country regulatory requirements from the date of purchase. If, during the applicable warranty period from the date of original consumer purchase, BES finds your Solio Product to be defective, BES, at its option, will replace with a new or refurbished equivalent, without charge for parts or labor. Normal “Wear and Tear” is not covered by this warranty.

Please see our terms and returns page for answers to questions regarding shipping, returns, order cancellation and refunds. This page can be found here: Terms/Returns

Compatibility FAQ

The Solio Bolt is compatible with USB powered devices. If your device can be powered by USB, it is most likely compatible with the Bolt.

Older model Solio chargers are compatible with a wide variety of handheld electronic devices, using our special adapter tip system. To check if your device is compatible with Solio, please see the device Compatibility Page.

You can easily check the model number of your device by taking the battery out of your cellphone. Once you have removed the battery, the model number is displayed on the phone under where the battery sits.

The Solio Bolt is compatible with the iPad and can provide a boost to an iPad battery when used in the “blue” Apple charging mode. However, our older model Solio chargers do not put out enough power to charge the iPad internal battery. Note that the Bolt cannot fully charge the iPad battery and future products are in development to address this need.

Unfortunately not. Laptops are very power hungry, but future products are in development to address this.

Solio, through either the Bolt’s integrated USB port or our Mini USB or USB port replicator tips with older model Solio chargers, can charge many digital cameras. However, our Mini-USB tips and any cable used in tandem with the Solio Bolt cannot be used if your camera’s Mini-USB or USB cable compatible port is for data download only. Please do not try to charge your camera if the port is for data download, as this could potentially damage your camera. If you are unsure, please contact our customer support team by completing a Support Form or by calling 800-653-4099.

Yes. Solio is an essential iPhone companion.

If you have a Solio Bolt, just plug into the Bolt’s integrated USB port by using the dedicated USB charging cable that came with your Apple product.

For older model Solio chargers, the Apple USB port replicator tip included with many Solio models works exactly like the USB port on your computer. Just use the charging cable that came with your Apple device, and plug right in. A video on how this is done can be found here.

Charging FAQ

First, make sure you are using the proper cable, the Adapter Tip System cable, and the correct tip for your device. Make sure the cable is firmly in place and press the start button on the Solio. Additionally, we recommend checking the power level to verify that there are at least 2 flashes of the LED light.

Yes, Solio will charge on a cloudy day, although less efficiently than when under clear skies. Cloud cover can also be too thick to allow enough sunlight through to the solar panels. To make sure your Solio is charging from the sun, make sure that the red LED light is on by directing the Solio at the sun without any obstructions.

Yes. You can do this with all of our chargers, providing that the Solio has enough power on it. Please note that when the Solio is transferring power to your device, it will not gain as much of a charge as it normally would.

There may be a number of reasons for this:

• It takes 8-10 hours to fully charge a Solio from the sun. With peak charging times between 10am and 2pm, it takes a minimum of 2 days to fully charge a Solio. Please look for the steady red light that indicates the Solio is being charged.
• Placing the Solio behind a glass window will increase the amount of time it takes to charge.
• Any shadow on part of one or more of the panels will reduce the performance of Solio.
• For the solar panels to perform at their peak they need to be in direct sunlight and perpendicular to the sun, this requires adjustments to your Solio as the sun moves through sky.
• Clouds, pollution and higher latitudes will have a negative impact on Solio’s performance.

Solio has a built in "fuel gauge" that measures the amount of charge within its own internal battery. The level of charge within Solio is indicated when the start button is pressed. Once the button is pressed, the LED light will flash between 1 and 5 times. 5 flashes indicates a full charge, 4 flashes indicates 80%, 3 flashes indicates 60%, and so on. However, as with other devices that use a lithium ion battery, the indicator is only a rough estimate in determining the state of charge. For example, although Solio may show 2 flashes after it has been left in the sun for several hours, it may in fact be 50% charged, which is more than enough to power a cell phone or iPod.

Check to ensure that your charging cable is fit snugly into your device and the USB port on the Bolt. Additionally, make certain that the Bolt is in the appropriate charging mode. We recommend charging Apple devices in the “blue” Apple charging mode. For other devices we recommend charging in CTIA or “green” mode. Some devices will not charge in the incorrect mode.

If using an older model Solio, please be sure that you are using the appropriate adapter and that it fits snugly into the all black system cord. Please note that the connector fits smoothly into place in only one direction, and while it’s possible to place the connector upside-down, that requires a bit of force. Please note that there is a small triangle on the adapter tips as well as the black charge-out cable. These two triangles must match up to be able to charge your device.

After the connections are made please press the start button to initiate charging. The connected device should show its standard charging indication, and the Solio will continuously flash green (or optionally blue if using a Bolt) every three seconds. Note that some devices require being turned off before being charged.

Yes. Using a USB wall outlet adapter will allow you to charge your Solio via a wall outlet. Just connect your USB charge cord to the adapter and charge in the same manner as charging from a computer.

The dashboard of a vehicle is not an ideal place to charge. Most windshields are UV protected and significantly reduce the amount of sunlight your Solio receives.

Additionally, the temperature within a car can rise quickly and may trigger the Solio safety mechanism to shut off the charger when the internal device temperature reaches 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bolt FAQ

Yes. The wall charger that came with your micro USB device can be used to charge the Bolt through the micro USB charge in port. Fit the micro USB end of your wall charger snugly into the charge in port of the Bolt, connect to the outlet and you should see the red light come on to indicate that your Bolt is charging.

The Solio Bolt has an on/off feature that, unlike older Solio charger models, will require you to press the LED button to turn off your charger. Additionally, pressing the LED button to check the power level of your Bolt will turn on the charger after displaying the current power level. If you intend to only check the power level, make certain to turn off the charger by pressing the LED button again.

Holding the LED button for 5 seconds and then releasing it will alternate your Bolt between the two modes. The blue light indicates your Bolt is in Apple charging mode, which is programmed to efficiently charge Apple devices (i.e. iPods, iPhone, iPad). The green light indicates your Bolt is in Normal or CTIA mode which works with most other devices.

Note that you will not damage your device by using the wrong charging mode. Use of the incorrect mode may cause some devices to refuse a charge, or not charge as quickly as they should.

No. Unlike older model Solio chargers, the Bolt no longer requires adapter tips to be compatible with your devices. Just use the USB charging cable provided with your device and connect to the Bolt’s integrated USB port.

If your device did not come with a USB charging cable, you will need to purchase a separate cable to do so. There are several remedies to this problem though. Check the website of your device manufacturer to see if they carry a USB charging cable. Another option is the iGo USB cable and corresponding iGo tip. Additionally, retailers like RadioShack may carry similar cables you will need.

Older Model Solio Charger FAQ

The USB Port Replicator tip is used in place of the USB port on your computer. Simply plug the Adapter Tip System cable into your Solio, attach the USB Port Replicator to the cable, and then insert your iPod/iPhone charge-in cable into the USB port the tip provides. Press the start button on the Solio to start charging. A video that illustrates how to connect your Solio to your Apple device with the USB adapter tip can be viewed here.

Please note that if you have an older USB Port Replicator tip (black in color) and are trying to charge a newer generation iPhone/iPod, you may need to update your USB Port Replicator tip.

A great reason to own Solio is to power all of your devices, now and into the future. The majority of all new handheld devices on the market today are compatible with the Micro USB tip. If your device is not compatible with the Micro USB tip, please email us with the model of your device at support@solio.com.

The Solio may not charge your device using this setup because all USB electrical connections are different. Solio cannot ensure that it will be compatible with all device manufacturer’s charge-out cables. To ensure compatibility, please use the correct adapter tip found through the Compatibility Page.

As a safety precaution, Solio terminates a charge once the electrical current drops below a certain threshold (usually an indication of a full charge) in order to conserve Solio’s stored energy in its internal battery. It is also possible that you may need a different adapter for your phone. Please see the Compatibility Page to obtain the correct adapter tip for your device.

Some older model Solio chargers are iGo compatible. These models are notated with an additional “-i” to the original model name. The Rocsta-i, Classic-i, and Mono-i chargers may still be available at RadioShack retailers. All of the “-i” models use the iGo tip system whereas the other models use our own Solio adapter system. It is important to know which tip system your Solio requires so that you obtain the appropriate adapters for charging your devices.

Additionally, the “-i” models do not come with any adapter tips, except for the Solio Magnesium. You will need to purchase the appropriate iGo power tips separately. Please see the Compatibility Page to obtain the correct adapter tip for your device.

Note: The correct adapter tip will be listed under the iGo section and the adapter tip will be listed as a “Power Tip”.

Please note that the Solio Magnesium came with an assortment of iGo tips in the packaging. For additional tips, follow the same procedure.