Freeplay Energy - Energy for Life

No, you cannot over-wind the internal mechanism.  It consists of simple gearing which drives the alternator, providing power to the internal battery.

No, the winder handle can be cranked in both directions.

No, it is not waterproof.  It is splash proof and will work in rainy conditions.

The radio requires direct sunlight to operate solely off the solar panel.  If the solar panel is placed in direct sunlight while the radio is switched off, solar energy will gradually charge the battery.

No.  Because this radio is primarily used in deeply rural areas where there is no grid electricity, the ability to charge from the grid has not been added.  The radio is powered only by its solar panel or by self-charge.

For best results, the battery requires a conditioning charge before first use, or after long periods without use.  This can be done by administering several vigorous 30-second wind cycles.

The warranty offered to Aid and Development customers depends on the location.  Given the relative inaccessibility of many developing areas, it is often difficult to retrieve, repair and return a radio that has suffered a failure.  Freeplay Energy will, at no further cost to the customer, provide in lieu of warranty an additional number of radios upfront amounting to 0.5% of the total ordered.  For example, for an order of 30k radios, Freeplay will include an additional 150 radios.
     For individual sales, the warranty is 2 years.

The architecture and form factor of the Scout is indeed based on the popular Freeplay Ranger radio.  However, many internal components have been further enhanced so that it can weather the harsh conditions of much of the developing world.  Furthermore, the Scout includes shortwave bands, which the Ranger does not, and adds a fine-tuning feature.

With a fully charged battery the radio will play for approximately 24 hours (at normal volume).  An hour of solar exposure (with the radio off) will provide about 2 hours of play time, and a 60-second wind at 120 rpm will provide about 1 hour of play time (both at normal volume).

On this page.