null

DISCONTINUED - CC Solar Observer AM/FM/Weather Windup Emergency Radio

Item#:
COBS
Condition:
New
Availability:
DISCONTINUED
$59.99

Out of stock

Gift wrapping:
Options available
60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Lifetime Tech Support

The original CC Solar Observer has been discontinued.
Click Here for the new CCRadio Solar BT

Emergencies Strike Without Warning. Be Prepared with Reliable Communication.

The CC Solar Observer is a simple, affordable and compact radio with enhanced reception and audio performance. For emergency use it can be powered in four different ways and can charge many different USB type devices including cell phones in a pinch. Many of our customers use it as their main radio.

"Our emergency radio was born in 1992 when we experienced three large earthquakes in Northern California in 17 hours. Communication and services, including electricity, were hopelessly overloaded. In the Crane home shards of broken glass were everywhere and so were bare feet. All of our flashlights had been over used by our blessed children. We vowed to make a good emergency radio so we would never be in this situation again."

-Bob Crane

This customer could not have said it better:

I have had only one, thank you Lord, occasion to use this in an emergency situation and it worked flawlessly. (I was the) Only one in the area with radio for two days of power loss... Thank you CCrane!! vpipes - Dufur, OR
General Features:
  • Can be powered by wind-up, optional AC power, solar panel or 3 AA" Alkaline batteries (not included) and rechargeable battery pack (included)
  • In an emergency it can charge cell phones with included USB port adapter
  • Stereo headphone jack
  • Accurate analog tuning with digital signal processing
  • Lighted analog dial for nighttime use and power outages
  • Built-in LED flashlight
  • Low profile carry handle

Weight: 1.5 lb. Size: 7.25" W x 5.5" H x 2" D

Audio Size
Instructions (MP3) Audio tutorial of the CC Solar Observer by Tim Hendel
(right-click to save file)
7 MB

How long will it take to fully charge the CC Solar Observer using the 5 volt AC Adapter?

With the power switch set to off, a full charge can be achieved in about 3-4 hours.

Is there an indicator to let me know when the battery pack is fully charged?

No.

How long will the CC Solar Observer play for with a full charge?

On a full charge, the CC Solar Observer should play for about 15-20 hours depending on your volume level.

How long will the CC Solar Observer run on a set of 3 AA batteries?

The CC Solar Observer should play for approximately 60 hours at normal volume.

How long must the CC Solar Observer be cranked for to fully charge it?

To achieve a full charge, the CC Solar Observer must be cranked at a moderate speed (about two revolutions per second) for about 120 minutes.

At what rate must the CC Solar Observer be cranked to achieve optimum charging?

Two revolutions per second will produce good results.

Can the CC Solar Observer be operated using the optional AC power adapter?

Yes, but you if you plan on using the optional charging adapter for days to power the radio, we recommend unplugging the battery pack. Constantly charging the battery pack for more then 12 hours at a time will shorten its life.

When I wind-up my CC Solar Observer, the crank arm seems to rotate freely, and it does not charge the radio. Why is this?

The rechargeable battery pack may not be plugged in completely. To check this, make sure the battery pack's white connector is completely secured.

Why is the sound garbled on my CC Solar Observer? How can I fix it?

The rechargeable battery pack may be depleted. Charging the unit for a few minutes should clear up the sound.

Can the CC Solar Observer charge my iPhone?

The CC Solar Observer can charge an iPhone but the iPhone takes much more energy to run than older cell phones. After the iPhone battery is depleted, it requires a 5% charge before the phone is usable again. Using the CC Solar Observer, it takes about 35 minutes of crank time to charge up the iPhone to 5%. This gives you about 15 minutes if talk time before the battery is depleted again.

My CC Solar Observer was working but now I have no AM/FM/WX but the LED functions work. How come?

In some cases, if your radio was left on for an extended amount of time after the battery pack is fully depleted, the microprocessor inside the radio may have locked up and disabled the radio functions. It will be necessary to unplug the battery pack, remove any AA batteries and cover the solar panel for 15 minutes (or place radio in a dark area). This will allow a reset of the microprocessor. Re-insert the battery pack and AA batteries (if desired), then using the hand crank, crank the radio at a good pace for 90 seconds and try the radio function.

How do I get the best run-time on the CC Solar Observer?

The simple answer is exercising the batteries to condition for an optimal charge. To do this, charge the batteries to full and discharge them completely. Doing this procedure about three times or so will bring your batteries to optimal efficiency.

Can the dynamo be wound too fast?

No.

Is there any way to tell how much charge is in the battery pack is?

No.

Can AA lithium batteries be used in the CC Solar Observer?

No. Lithium batteries can damage the radio.

Can I charge my cell phone while charging my CC Solar Observer radio using the AC Adapter?

No, we do not recommend having the AC Adapter connected to the radio while charging your cell phone or other devices.

How long does it take to charge the CC Solar Observer using the Solar panel?

It will take approximately 20 hours of full sun (outside) with the solar panel angled towards the sun (60 degree angle). It is not recommended to charge indoors at a window as many windows these days have UV coatings that will reduce solar charging effectiveness.

What's in the Box
  • CC Solar Observer Radio
  • Standard USB Cellphone Adapter
  • Owner's manual
  • One Year Limited Warranty
General Specifications

POWER SOURCE

Batteries (optional): 3 AA size
Internal Battery Pack: NiMH 2/3 AA 800 mAh
Battery Pack Charging Jack: Internal Battery Pack can be charged with optional AC Adapter 5V 300mA DC - Center tip (-)
Winding Generator: 250-500 mA DC
Solar Panel: 20-40 mA DC (Depending on sunlight intensity)

POWER CONSUMPTION AT MODERATE VOLUME

AM: 38mA
FM: 45mA
Weather: 45mA
Flashlight: 15mA
Display light: 4mA

FREQUENCY COVERAGE

AM Band: 520 - 1710 kHz
FM Band: 87.5 - 108 MHz
Weather Band: Ch. 1: 162.400 MHz
Ch. 2: 162.425 MHz
Ch. 3: 162.450 MHz
Ch. 4: 162.475 MHz
Ch. 5: 162.500 MHz
Ch. 6: 162.525 MHz
Ch. 7: 162.550 MHz
 

AUDIO

Speaker: 2.5"
Headphone Jack: 1/8" (3.5mm) - Will accept stereo or mono jacks
 

ANTENNA

AM Band: Built-in Ferrite Bar
FM and Weather Band: Telescopic whip antenna
 

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Dimensions: 7.25" W x 5.5" H x 2" D
Weight: 1.5 lb.
Note: Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Sold out
Width:
8.50 (in)
Height:
6.63 (in)
Depth:
2.75 (in)
Item#:
COBS
card_description:
Affordable & compact emergency radio with enhanced reception & audio performance
out_of_stock_form:
Click here to be notified when this product comes back in stock;https://ccrane.com/pages/notify-me.html