19 replies to this topic

[mariaandrea]

Has anyone ever used solar battery chargers? I've been doing some research and just haven't made up my mind about purchasing one to experiment with. I'll probably break down and do it, but I'm hoping to get more information.

I use rechargeable batteries in numerous things and have a good charger, but I think it would be cool to go completely off the grid to charge batteries. I'm in an apartment with an east-facing balcony so the charger would get sun only half of the day and I would expect it to take a few to several days to charge batteries. Plus, I'm in Seattle where it's overcast a lot, especially this time of year, and while I know some energy gets through the clouds, this may only be feasible during the summer.

Like I said, I'll probably experiment with this anyway, but if anyone knows anything, I'm all ears! Thanks!

[Bababooey]

I've also seen them but never tried them. I'm still trying to wean myself off regular batteries and go to rechargeable ones. I know I should, but it's tough, with remote controls and video-game controllers and all sorts of other gadgets requiring a steady stream of batteries.

[mariaandrea]

It is tough - we go through a lot of batteries here too. It was the initial expense that was hard. I had to start small and buy a new pack every week or so until I had enough for all of our needs. I'm thinking that if I go the solar charger route I should keep enough batteries on hand so that a set is always charging while another is in use.

[Green Thumb]

I found an online site where you can purchase various ecofriendly solar chargers. Here: http://www.livecofriendly.com/

You may want to check out their items for your reference. ‘Hope it’ll help.

[mariaandrea]

Oh wow, that site is awesome. At first glance it doesn't seem to have exactly what I'm looking for, but it does have an awful lot of things I'd like to have.

I take my kids camping every year and we live happily in primitive conditions, but just a few of those gadgets could make for an almost luxurious stay in the woods!

Thanks for the link!

[Don]

I think Harbor Freight carries these relatively cheaply. In addition, you could use some of what they've got to augment your home's power supply. I saw single panels when I was last in the store that could power a whole bank of normal battery chargers (like you plug into the wall) without using your house power source. Might actually be cheaper that way.

[Green Thumb]

Nice, Don. Cheaper is better. When I go shopping, I make sure that I read all there is to know about the product. I’m also used to comparing notes which is better or which will suit me or the family best. It will most help if you read a good review about it or it’s been a tested product by someone you know. Quality is most important. Also, it’ll do you good if the product has warranty.
I like the idea of a device augmenting your home's energy source. You're able to save energy and still, less or none at all on electrical bill. Wow! This helps a lot. Really.

[mariaandrea]

Thanks Don! I'll definitely look into Harbor. I have considered just getting a panel but I am constrained by an east and north facing balcony in an apartment for the most part, although I might be able to figure out how to make it work. I'm looking at something like this that's small and portable and charges AA batteries. It's cheap enough that I won't feel too bad if experimenting with it turns out to be disappointing.

http://www.amazon.co...7CNGE19F8Y2CWHT

[Monkey Doctor]

I bought a solar battery charger and it was absolute rubbish. This was a few years ago and I decided to wait until the technology was actually any good. It looks like its time to try again. thanks for the info. I have lots of rechargable batteries waiting to be used again.

[zararina]

I think that solar charger is not yet available here or if it is, it could cost more than when it will be purchased on a country where it is originated or somethings. I also think that buying rechargeable batteries are more earth friendly since it will lessen the number of batteries that needs to be thrown or just a waste when it do not have energy/charge anymore. It was really a good idea also to have such kind of earth friendly charger.

[Mon-Jes]

Just make sure wherever you buy it from has a good return policy. Then you can test it out and return it if it's not good enough. I'd think as long as you get some daylight you'd be okay.

[mariaandrea]

Mon-Jes, on 17 October 2011 - 12:39 PM, said:

Just make sure wherever you buy it from has a good return policy. Then you can test it out and return it if it's not good enough. I'd think as long as you get some daylight you'd be okay.

Excellent point about the return policy. That hadn't occurred to me. Thanks! I think an east-facing balcony and west-facing windows should be enough as long as it's a decent charger. We'll see soon enough because I've finally made up my mind to try it.

[Mon-Jes]

I know that this isn't going to be the best comparison, but if solar cells can still produce energy for a home on a cloudy day, assuming we're not talking dark storm clouds, I'd think a little battery charger could pick up enough for batteries. I could be wrong, and of course the size difference between the two is huge, but I would think it should be able to.

[Babyobesity]

Solar powered battery charger, what a great idea. I've yet to come across one of these. However, after hearing what you've said about them, they seem like such a cool concept, and a great way to save electricity. I hope it's not long before we can have replaceable batteries we can use in all of our major appliances like TV's, Computers, Fridge, etc. If you could use rechargeable batteries that are rechargeable by the sun then this would save an exponential amount of energy.

[kat74]

Solar battery chargers have revolutionized our country sides especially the places where there is no other source of power and people are poor. They can now be able to charge their phones and stay in touch with their families and also do business. Even solar small size light are helping the village men at nigh and think that's the best idea this year for the common man.

[joeldgreat]

I don't think solar energy is very much appreciated here in my country. We had more wet season than dry one. With almost 70% of the entire year are rainy months, then solar power would not be as effective as it is. Maybe hydro power is a better idea. But building dams do have an effect to the environment too. Wind power perhaps, but what about the cyclones and typhoons? No matter what it is, its better than fuel. We'll have to find ways on how to maximize the output of these renewable energy sources.

[greenking]

Solar batteries are awesome! With the integration of solar batteries used by homes today, electricity can now be stored in greater numbers. These batteries have the capacity to store certain amounts of electricity depending on the model you purchase from your local dealer.

[tri-n-b-helpful]

mariaandrea, on 07 October 2011 - 01:49 PM, said:

Has anyone ever used solar battery chargers? I've been doing some research and just haven't made up my mind about purchasing one to experiment with. I'll probably break down and do it, but I'm hoping to get more information.

I use rechargeable batteries in numerous things and have a good charger, but I think it would be cool to go completely off the grid to charge batteries. I'm in an apartment with an east-facing balcony so the charger would get sun only half of the day and I would expect it to take a few to several days to charge batteries. Plus, I'm in Seattle where it's overcast a lot, especially this time of year, and while I know some energy gets through the clouds, this may only be feasible during the summer.

Like I said, I'll probably experiment with this anyway, but if anyone knows anything, I'm all ears! Thanks!

I admire your ideal to go off the grid completely... I'm working towards that one myself!

The solar battery chargers I have seen are rubbish and destroy rechargeable batteries very quickly. Quite a lot of rechargeable batteries end up in landfill still. Trickle charging these batteries via solar cells wrecks these batteries very quickly, which you can test for yourself each time they are recharged using this method. Undercharging wrecks them as much as overcharging - both charging and discharging at the wrong rate and to the wrong levels. Most people don't know exactly how to use rechargeable batteries correctly still. It might pay to download yourself a copy of The Battery Bible, if it's still around. I'm not attacking solar power; I believe it is being used in the wrong way. The system is wrong, and that is the fault of everyone from design engineers like me, to such a hyperactive market who will not listen to the voice of reason and sell themselves short on a cut-and-shut method. It would be far better, using just one example, to use cheap, ultra-high capacity electrolytic capacitors to store the charge from solar cells - enough for each day, lasting for about ten years, instead of expensive rechargeable batteries that are used incorrectly and fail due to abuse. Batteries to not suicide; they are murdered by their chargers! That's just one small part of the argument.

Perhaps it would be good economics to use other technologies to power your appliances? I'm building a wind-up torch at the moment. The same technology is sufficient to power MP3 players, a simple radio, etc, etc. My batteries, dry cells included, are recharged with radiant energy and are returned to a state better than factory new each time. They have a greater capacity than their factory rating each time and I can recharge as many as I want in parallel each time (can't do that with any battery charger I know for the money!). If I keep treating my cheap, commonly available batteries right, they will never see landfill and will out-live me!

Call it extreme, but I believe every device and appliance should be completely self-sufficient. I'm a champion of de-centralization and firmly believe centralized, "owned" power generation should be abolished - and can be, right now. War, natural disasters, etc can easily take out a power station, then what? Huge sections of the otherwise unaffected rest of the country have their power and communications cut and everything comes to a standstill each time? Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and more intense. I know where I stand. My place will be lit up like a Christmas tree and otherwise fully functional in the next blackout.

[rbaker_59]

tri-n-b-helpful, on 09 March 2012 - 04:21 PM, said:

I admire your ideal to go off the grid completely... I'm working towards that one myself!

The solar battery chargers I have seen are rubbish and destroy rechargeable batteries very quickly. Quite a lot of rechargeable batteries end up in landfill still. Trickle charging these batteries via solar cells wrecks these batteries very quickly, which you can test for yourself each time they are recharged using this method. Undercharging wrecks them as much as overcharging - both charging and discharging at the wrong rate and to the wrong levels. Most people don't know exactly how to use rechargeable batteries correctly still. It might pay to download yourself a copy of The Battery Bible, if it's still around. I'm not attacking solar power; I believe it is being used in the wrong way. The system is wrong, and that is the fault of everyone from design engineers like me, to such a hyperactive market who will not listen to the voice of reason and sell themselves short on a cut-and-shut method. It would be far better, using just one example, to use cheap, ultra-high capacity electrolytic capacitors to store the charge from solar cells - enough for each day, lasting for about ten years, instead of expensive rechargeable batteries that are used incorrectly and fail due to abuse. Batteries to not suicide; they are murdered by their chargers! That's just one small part of the argument.

Perhaps it would be good economics to use other technologies to power your appliances? I'm building a wind-up torch at the moment. The same technology is sufficient to power MP3 players, a simple radio, etc, etc. My batteries, dry cells included, are recharged with radiant energy and are returned to a state better than factory new each time. They have a greater capacity than their factory rating each time and I can recharge as many as I want in parallel each time (can't do that with any battery charger I know for the money!). If I keep treating my cheap, commonly available batteries right, they will never see landfill and will out-live me!

Call it extreme, but I believe every device and appliance should be completely self-sufficient. I'm a champion of de-centralization and firmly believe centralized, "owned" power generation should be abolished - and can be, right now. War, natural disasters, etc can easily take out a power station, then what? Huge sections of the otherwise unaffected rest of the country have their power and communications cut and everything comes to a standstill each time? Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and more intense. I know where I stand. My place will be lit up like a Christmas tree and otherwise fully functional in the next blackout.

I have tried the battery chargers with the rechargable batteries and can identify with what you are saying. To me, they did not last longer and became a big pain because it seemed they had to be replaced just as much as a regualar battery, but costs so much more. Your ideas seem interesting to me. I would like to know just how it turns out in the long run.

[milano]

I have tried using one cheap solar batter charger. It works but I somehow got the feeling that the whole charging time seems to get longer while using it. It is totally worth it in my opinion especially if you are always on the road.