22 replies to this topic

[Guardian]

I just bought a hand cranked radio/flashlight. The main purpose is for emergencies and inclement weather, but I've also been wanting to replace 'consuming' products I have around my house. The one I bought cost just $15, and also has the ability to charge via USB anything that can typically charge by plugging into your computer. Apparently 1 minute of cranking provides 30 minutes of power.

I used to have a hand crank emergency radio when I was younger and loved it. No searching for batteries or anything, but haven't seen them around anywhere. I had to go specifically looking for this one.

Are the new ones just as good as the old ones? Also, what do you guys think?

[Sandra Piddock]

We do a lot of camping, and somebody bought my husband one for Christmas a couple of years back. It's excellent, and it goes out with us every time we take the motorhome for a camping weekend. It's great fun to listen to the weather forecast on our 'cranked up' radio, because although we have a TV in the motorhome, we never use it when we're out and about - we prefer the more natural ways. It always works for as long as we need it, so I'd say yes, it's a really good investment.

[Neighborsboy]

I think these products are great. I have seen several different types. Regardless of who makes it, I think they are all a step in the right direction. I especially like the products that are solar/wind-up. Either way you go it's a win, win for us all! "Be Easy!" Neighborsboy

[artistry]

I purchased a hand cranked radio, not too long ago for emergencies also. I have not tried it as yet, to see how it works, I am really hoping that I never have to put it to use, for the purpose that I purchased it. But I think it is a great idea, and I am very glad that I bought it.

[tri-n-b-helpful]

Yes, this idea does go back a way. The British used them in Africa in places where they don't have power for communications systems, etc. The design for a torch (I think it's called "flashlight" in the USA?), featured in several articles in their Everyday With Practical Electronics Magazine. The first one was in October 2000, the second in 2003 and the last one in 2006. They are very simple and cheap to build from salvaged parts. I'm building a replica now with more modern components and a better (my!) design using a blocking oscillator and e-amplifying the output, which means more herbs from a smaller, cheaper motor. This design lets you just twist the knob a bit and after a few minutes you get continuous power output for the next half hour - just increase the size of the charging capacitor if you want it to run for longer without turning the knob all the time, but it will take longer to charge. There are other designs using a mechanical spring to keep generating power without having to physically charge the thing so often.

In the last few years, the Chinese have flooded our markets with cheap versions that can be bought for $2 or so. These are terrible from the moment you take them out of the packet. The older ones are well-built (I'm not sure which country made them), but use older output technology, whereas the cheaper ones of today have some of the best LEDs on the output, but the build and the motor are rubbish, giving an intermittent output each time the device is squeezed. My design uses the latest high output white LEDs that can also be focused manually by the operator. It's so cheap that the cost of parts will be recovered very quickly. The articles mentioned suggest that the motor used in microwave oven turntables will give the highest output for the least turning input. This may have been superceded these days, so if anyone knows of a better motor, let's hear it!

[visionrafael84]

I was going through my friends emergency kit and he had a hand crank radio and flashlight friom sharper image... and wow was that thing a pain to use, it never stored energy only had power while you were cranking it and the crank system had a weak lever I could see breaking easily after extended time.

[movn4ward]

I would love to find a hand crank radio/flashlight as I am really bad about keeping a good emergency kit stocked. It mainly goes to my inability to remember to check up on it until the disaster is approaching. Then I am like millions of others in stores stocking up on everything or going without because I didn't realize the flashlight didn't work until the power went out.

I would be interested in knowing if and where these are still made also. I think my dad has one that you constantly have to crank, but that is better than nothing at all. Would definitely purchase if available.

[steph84]

Was thinking of cashing in some of my Hilton reward points for a hand crank radio/flashlight. I think I only have one flashlight on hand and I live in an earthquake prone area. Not good at all, but was looking at prices at Target. Some are $20+ so I am thinking of getting this radio combo. Looks like a good deal.

[btatro]

Not too bad for something that needs no power! I usually have batteries in my flashlights that work, but never know when they could go out!

[zararina]

We use a hand crank flashlight on our camping last year and it was really very handy since the other flashlights become low battery.
I would really like to own a hand crank radio/flashlight for emergency and hope to find on some local stores here since I am not that convenient on shopping online.

[MyDigitalpoint]

I believe the new ones are great, particularly those that have the ability to get charged via USB or using solar power batteries because this fact unlocks the possibility to get power almost anywhere.

I remember to get mine recharged in a hot spot when I had a major electrical failure at home and the battery ran out.

[E3 wise]

After 25 years in South Florida you get used to preparing for hurricanes, we went through Andrew, Wilma, Katrina and some others that had not as much impact.  For our kit we use the Eton Solarlink Self-Powered Digital AM/FM/NOAA Radio with Solar Power, Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger, it has both a hand crank and solar to power the radio and charge cell phones.

I put rechargeable batteries in it so I can recharge them from cranking also.  Its tough, works well and goes anywhere, at 45 dollars it is more expensive than others but after almost 10 years of use it works a well as the day we took it out of the box.  We take it with us when we take the telescopes to the everglades and camp overnight, the flashlight is very bright and the convience of the hand cranked radio just makes it a no brainer.

During the day the solar charge will recharge a dead phone to full capacity in about an hour and a half, not bad considering that plugged into a standard electrical socket takes an hour.

[Usty]

I doubt the technology and manufaturing of these crank products has advanced enough to see a big improvement over the years. I mean, If the new ones are leaps and bounds better, I'd expect t osee the hand crank system for generating energy adopted into more products.

[E3 wise]

You bring up a good point, I doubt I will ever see a hand cranked stove or air conditioner, but when my roof was gone and we did not have electricity for 17 days it was nice to be able to get some news and have a light to see by.  I doubt we will ever get a hand cranked TV or computer but hey thats what the solar panels are suppost to take care of right.

[artistry]

I decided to purchase a crank radio, with weather stations. To be used in emergency situtations. Hope that I never have to use it.

[FamilyTreeClimber]

I bought my Dad one of these radio/flashlights a few years ago.  He loved it.  He was always running out of batteries, so when he really needed a flashlight or radio, there were no batteries to power it.  It's always when you the electricity is out and you have no lights that you realize you have no working batteries on hand!

These radios are great for emergencies and for every day use as well.  I can't see larger appliances being operated in this way, but it works very well for something like a radio.

[artistry]

That would be great if companies would incorporate such a feature, with other appliances. When the power goes out you could wind them up, to get them to run. But it would add a cost to have it, and the cost and reconfiguration might be more than its worth to make them. Also, as you say, with the size it probably would not work.

[Solar Security]

These wind up radios are great and having a flashlight built into one is a good idea. There are also a great range of other wind up items from camping lights to electric shavers.

[dissn_it]

I bought one a couple of years ago that has the flashlight and a cell phone charger attachment. I never needed to use it until a little over a week ago. A car had knocked down a power pole not too far from where we live. The power was out for hours and it got pretty dark before they got it restored. It was nice to be able to listen to the radio and have a little bit of light. I was able to use the flashlight to find my candles that were still inside our moving boxes! It is a very nice thing to have and I think I paid less than $20 for it.

[saver]

One of the handiest things I got was a hand-crank mobile phone charger!

Came with a usb and many power type attachments. Seemed to work, although I later found out my old phone had such a dodgy battery that I could never know for sure.

Has there ever been a study done of overall usage of these. Would we be using less power if the suitable appliances in our home were 'human-powerered'?