Shouldn't be too hard to find a charger for it, I'm fairly certain shops like Radio Shack and Fry's Electronics (in the west) have a bunch of options. Just gotta match it up with the Solo's charge range.
True enough, 12 Volts at one Amp is pretty common. However, the connector is not. And more so, the 'official' voltage rating for that connector type (1.7 X 4mm). That connector is 'rated' (at least regulated) 3 to 6 Volts so aside from the factory unit you'll need a 'universal' one. These use interchangable plugs like this:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3780266
Or you can use an adapter to change plug types for the far more common types. Or, if you're brave, pull out the Swiss Army knife, cut the cords, strip them back and twist the wires together and insulate with bandaids from the first aid kit.....
I have a question. When is the battery dead? Like is it almost dead when it reaches Idle or is that still like 30% I need to know so I can get the best use out of my batteries!
Listen to the Q man, the Q man is wise once again. I'd elaborate a bit about what happens when you 'run off the bottom'. Near as I can tell there's no 'soft' shutdown. It doesn't quietly close down like a cell phone or laptop saving the last of the battery, it's waiting on the protection PCB in the battery pack to call it quits. No pre planning, the light all suddenly go out. From 'pretty hard' to 'really tough on' the weaker of the two batteries in the pack bottomed out and called 'uncle' first. The ironic part is this means it's the weaker one that takes most of the beating so the disparity grows each time. Leading, obviously, to a total battery failure that didn't need to happen.
Hitting that wall is a practice to avoid at all costs IMO.
So, 'never more than one more session on no lights' and 'charge to the top, but stop it while the charge light is flashing if you can.
If you can do that last one, you basically get at least another 'free' cycle on the battery, hopefully even more. You give up a session (10%) in the charge (say 7 instead of 8 sessions per charge), but it'll go twice as many cycles (8 sessions against 7 plus 7 for 14 total). Giving up the top 20% of the charge (about the point the top LED lights) roughly doubles that again (to 1200 from 300 originally) so you get (6+6+6+6) 24 sessions against 8.
I think you should find a pattern of usage that suits you, one you enjoy, and also does what you think is
reasonable to protect the long term battery life. Replacing it is not the end of the world, and you'll get some warning, but many will hope to avoid it all together. IMO if you want more than 1200 cycles times 6 sessions per cylce) 7,200 sessions you've more than got your money's worth from the original set. Using conservative numbers (1/8 gram loads, two sessions per load) that's 450 grams.....a bit over a
pound of bud..... Hey, vaping through a quarter pound on a battery pack (charging to the max) ain't half bad?
But above all you should enjoy it.
Best wishes,
OF
