~ Solar AA Battery Chargers & NiMH Batteries ~

[walk]

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Greetings everyone. For my first post here (outside of my recent introduction) am wishing to share a recent review that yours truly wrote concerning AA battery chargers & NiMH batteries. These are the little solar chargers that my wife & I take backpacking:

http://www.cetsolar.com/solaraa.htm

& my review was written after researching the web to learn more about these little marvels & those like them. In fact, the website was happy to receive my review & are planning to post it on the page sometime soon.

While charging the old NiCADs fairly quickly, the NiMHs naturally take quite a lot longer to fully charge & are environmentally friendly. Am taking one of the chargers to our local "Sustainability" meeting here tomorrow night to extol the virtues of both small solar battery chargers as well as NiMH technology. Hopefully it will help to expand more peoples awareness on how much can be saved on several levels.

Anyhoo... my review follows. Please feel free to comment on your own successes with small solar battery chargers, as the more information we know than all the better.

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Small Solar AA Battery Chargers
& NiMH AA Batteries

Useful information & tips


One major crisis facing us all today is that our many landfills are continuing to build up huge amounts of toxins from vast quantities of disposable batteries as well as from old NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) rechargeable cells. Fortunate for Earth, all of her many creatures & her vegetation are the newer, higher capacity NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries. Not only do NiMH cells store 3 to 4 times or more energy than the older-technology NiCads, they are essentially non-toxic! They also are rechargeable up to 1000 times & suffer no cell memory problems like NiCad cells do.

Enter the small solar battery charger such as the B101. Using only energy from direct Sunlight & then converting it, this fine little solar battery charger will effectively recharge your NiMH AA batteries from nothing more than the abundant, free power coming from our little star/Sun. Though originally designed for NiCad batteries, the B101 will also do a fine job recharging NiMH cells. Just be aware that it will take a lot more time to fully recharge these higher-capacity batteries, so the old tried & true adage of “Patience is a virtue” is important to keep in mind here.

In direct Sunlight the B101 can fully charge 4 older 700 mAh (milliamp hour) NiCads in about 28 hours of direct Sunlight while the unit is generating about 100mA of current (100 milliamps). Most newer NiMH AA batteries store 2500 mAh or more of energy so they will take much longer to fully recharge, ~edit~~~> although because of the nature of NiMH cells they will test @ 100% well before they actually are fully recharged (see: http://www.greenbatteries.com/batterymyths.html ). <~~~end edit~ An example equation: 4 discharged batteries of 2500 mAh storage capacity (totaling 10,000 mAh of energy) divided by 100 mA current each hour = 100 hours… or about 12 days of 8-9 hours per day in full-Sunlight charging. The unit contains a blocking diode too so one can leave the batteries in the charger after it gets dark without the stored energy draining from them.

One single AA battery at a time may be recharged in the B101, or just 2 or 3 as needed. Hence, the recharging calculations will alter & are faster. For instance, if only one 2500 mAh AA is being recharged then all 100 mA of energy is directed into this lone cell, fully recharging it in about 25 hours of full Sunshine. If 2 AA cells are charging then the current is divided equally between each cell, or 50 mA of current each, 50 hours. When 3 AA cells are charging then the charging current becomes about 33 mA each for 75 hours &, as already discussed, charging 4 batteries together will send 25 mA of current to each cell each hour in full, direct Sunlight, 100 hours.

Please keep in mind that an inexpensive charger like the B101 is in no way weather-resistant. It should not be left outdoors when a chance of rain or snow exists. Take care not to mar the plastic coating protecting the solar panel, as the energy producing capability can fast become compromised. While the unit will charge from behind windows at home & in vehicles, understand that the charging will be at a slightly reduced rate, as ultraviolet light (readily available from direct & indirect Sunshine) is a factor in the strongest possible conversion from Sunlight into electrical current & not much UV makes it through most glass. Having several sets of rechargeable batteries available will facilitate your success in battery recharging from a small solar charger.

Once one begins to realize the many benefits from using the free energy available from solar charging then it’s easy to become enthusiastic over doing something much more sustainable than throwing away massive amounts of toxic, disposable batteries every year. Getting into the routine may take some personal adjustments for many of us, though the benefits greatly outweigh the detriments. Saving a lot of money, easing-up on toxic waste production & investing in our future are but a few of the reasons to recharge NiMH batteries using plentiful Sun power. It’s also quite contagious! Sharing good things with family & friends is pretty easy too & even feels good. Best wishes to you towards increasing responsibility & greener Earth, as her future is our own.


* Distinctive differences that readers will find in this review are the references to as well as the capitalization of Sun & Earth, which are not commonly found so in our languages & societies today… & why not? We capitalize Venus & Mars along with the rest of our solar system’s planets, yet most of us have come to write “the earth” instead of “Earth” & “the sun” in place of “Sun”. Is this a subtle indication of how little reverence we have for the planet that we were first given stewardship over? Can this be an indication of a lack of respect for the center of our solar system that would cease living were it not for Sun’s life-sustaining warmth & energy? Consequently, both Sun & Earth are aptly capitalized on this page.

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[walk]

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Well now, after more than 50 reads it surprises me somewhat that no one else has anything to add... thus far, anyhoo. My wife & I have 4 different though similar types of these kind of poratable solar battery chargers, one with a meter even, & was hoping that my reseach had paid off in that my figures towards recharging depleted AA NiMH batteries are "close enough".

Again, am welcoming any comments as well as constructive criticisms. Thanks.
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[walk]

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Alrightythen... a question.

Am wondering: Can the solar charger (as described in my first link) be successfully adapted to charge AAA batteries as well? At its rather slow rate of charge, am not seeing why it could not be. It would be cool to be able to recharge our AAA walkie-talkie batteries too while out backpacking. As the charger weighs less than 4 oz. then we could easily carry 2 of them.

Thanks.
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[Claire]

Hi Walk, thanks for posting your article.

Unfortunately, I think for many people the charge time makes solar chargers of limited practicality. As an example, my main use of batteries is in my bike lights. In winter, when I was cycling to work most days, I needed to charge the front light batteries a couple of times a week - but from your figures I guess it would take about a month, or maybe even more, for the solar charger to charge the batteries in a UK winter. My mains charger charges them in about an hour....

I also wonder how long it would take for the environmental impact of making the charger to "pay off" - because solar panels do have quite a high impact in manufacture. It's something to think about. How does it compare to using a mains charger with a "green" electricity supply?

I can see that these would be great for backpacking in sunny places though, and hopefully as the technology improves in leaps and bounds, the reduced charge time will make them more practical for general use too.

[walk]

Originally Posted by Claire

Hi Walk, thanks for posting your article.

Thank you. My pleasure.

Originally Posted by Claire

Unfortunately, I think for many people the charge time makes solar chargers of limited practicality. ...

Yes, in many places worldwide this is so. here in NW Nebraska we are living on the edge of "Zone 3" for year-round solar availability according to this simple map: http://gatecrafters.webdirectbrands....nformation.asp so it pays off rather well. To my understanding, amorphous solar panels offer fair charging even on cloudy days, better than crystaline silicon panels/modules. Of course, hook a sizeable module to a recharger with a proper voltage regulator for this application & you've got it! Albeit expensive, the cost of 1000 sets of 4 Alkaline (edit) AAs makes the investment worthwhile imho if one can get enough power conversion from available light.

Originally Posted by Claire

I also wonder how long it would take for the environmental impact of making the charger to "pay off" - because solar panels do have quite a high impact in manufacture. It's something to think about. How does it compare to using a mains charger with a "green" electricity supply?

Great question! In my research it takes less time to "pay off" than many would have us to believe. For example: http://www.renewable-energyworld.com.../Staying-safe/ That site is a fantastic resource for telling it the way it is. Elsewhere they have indicated that it may well only take between 2-3 years to make it all pay going bigtime solar... & this is with present technology with modules that come with 25 year warranties, many of them. Batteries are improving as well. Remember Who Killed The Solar Car" documentary? (a "must" if you've not seen) NiMH technology, once again. A truly toxic-free, durable application from small battery cells to larger ones powering electric vehicles.

Originally Posted by Claire

I can see that these would be great for backpacking in sunny places though, and hopefully as the technology improves in leaps and bounds, the reduced charge time will make them more practical for general use too.

Am with you 100%, Claire. When we juggle several sets of NiMHs then we stand a better change of successfully recharging small batteries while other sets are charging.

Thanks again for the response.
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[altyfc]

Hi Walk

I'm in a situation where I need multiple different sized batteries, many of which might be in use at any one time (ie. in toys and the like). Would you recommend any specific charger/batteries for this?

Aaron

[altyfc]

PS - I've already had one of those little solar chargers which I got from an Innovations catalogue around 15-20 years ago... it was a handy little thing when I went somewhere sunny for my hols, but now I need something which can cope with more batteries, different sizes of batteries, and preferably one that won't take forever to re-charge (although I understand fast chargers aren't always the most environmentally friendly or the best for battery life)

[walk]

Originally Posted by altyfc

Hi Walk

I'm in a situation where I need multiple different sized batteries, many of which might be in use at any one time (ie. in toys and the like). Would you recommend any specific charger/batteries for this?

Aaron

Hi Aaron. Of the 4 models we have, my wife & I have one that will charge AAA, AA, C, D & Gum cells, though it will only charge 2 pieces at a time. There are several other models out here though that will charge 4 at a time of different types, like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Solar-Power-Pane...QQcmdZViewItem

Just Google "solar+charger+aaa+aa+c+d" & this stuff happens. If charging only 2 at a time would suffice then Gary over at www.solarbus.org still has some last I checked. It does have a larger solar panel as well as a meter to measure Sunlight strength, so charging 2 cells goes rather quickly, one would think.

http://www.solarbus.org/

and the charger is this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Deluxe-Solar...QQcmdZViewItem

(eBay search under "http://stores.ebay.com/EMERGENCY PRODUCTS")

Gary over at Solar Bus also does lots of good work in many places... even out 'round my parts at Pine Ridge nation (just north & east of me) with a project for the Oglala Lakota. Nice guy too.

If money is of little or no object then perhaps a powerful outfit would suffice:

http://www.cetsolar.com/accumanager.htm

I dream of being able to get one of those for my wife & I.
Anyhoo, those are some of the thrifty ones. Hope that this helps.

~David~
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[James_1]

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[dorapeng]

Hi, I am dora from China, I am here to let you know one information about a solar energy business trip. I’m not so sure whether my post will be against the forum rules, I just want to inform people who take interest in our activity.

Activity: China Solar Energy Trade Mission
Time: 27th Oct---1st Nov, 2008
Organizer: TD.Fortune Consulting Co.,Ltd.
Support by: China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (CASME)
Venue: BeiJing, ShangHai, ChangZhou(shangdong province), ChangZhou(Jiangsu province)
Participation Fee: To participate in the mission, the fee is $3,000 per person and $1000 for each additional company representative.
The fee will include: Airport pick-up and see-off; accommodation (Chinese 4 star hotels and above); meal; Tickets (all cost in tickets inside of china); Inner city transportation; translator and interpreter; Guide; Conference Cost
I am Dora from TD.Fortune Consulting China. We are going to organize a solar energy trade mission (business trip) in china from 27th, Oct to 1st Nov by collaborating with China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (CASME).
During this customized business trip, you will visit at least 10 most advanced solar technology companies in 4 cities of China, the potential business partners, China solar associations and Chinese government officers. Meanwhile, you will also have the chance to know the China market and selling skills by communicating with the Chinese distributors and agencies of solar products during the seminar in this business trip. We will take you to visit some buildings (such as Beijing Olympic Village) which make good use of solar energy in different cities.
So, if you are an investor interested in China market, this trade mission will help you to do yourself investigation for your competitors and your suppliers, to develop good relationship with China government, to get tax or politic support from the government and to find potential partners in China; if you are an solar product distributors, during the trade mission, you might import some excellent products for your shops or to be agency for some products in your country;
So, there are many business opportunities. China solar energy industry is a new star and will be very booming from now on, don't lose the market opportunity here and join in us to find out a successful way to do business in China! If more information you want to know, please go to Dora for details.


Here is my contact Information:

Dora Peng
Email:dora（at）tdfortune.Net
Skype:td.fortune
MSN:dora(at)tdfortune.net
Tel: 86-21-64395916