Solar 11-in-1 Battery Charger: Digital-Camera-Near.com

Solar 11-in-1 Battery Charger

Solar 11-in-1 Battery Charger
by C.Crane

List Price: ~~$39.99~~
Our Price: $19.99
You Save: $20.00 (50%)
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Category: CE
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Customers in the UK, Buy this product at amazon.co.uk for British Pounds

Digital Photo Product Details

Manufacturer: C.Crane
Model: SBC
Product features:

Solar battery Cahrger. Recharge batteries with the sun!
Charges 11 different NiCd and NiMH battery sizes (AAA, AA, C, D, and 7 GUM sizes) Never be without power again!
Charges 2 pcs of NIMH or NiCad "D"/"C"/"AA"/"AAA" size rechargeable batteries
Adjustable top lid and bottom stand for optimal sunlight exposure
Blocking diode to prevent discharge

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Solar 11-in-1 Battery Charger

Customer Review: A versatile solar battery charger
Summary: 5 Stars

I bought two of these recently. They do what they are supposed to do. I've used them to recharge Sanyo Eneloop batteries after I drained them in my Kodak digital camera. This battery charger works quite well. It uses sunlight to generate a current that charges pairs of batteries in sizes AAA, AA, C, or D. It will also charge pairs of gum batteries.

Sanyo Eneloop AA Battery 4 pack Precharged Use Up to 1500 Times
Kodak EasyShare C182 Digital Camera (Blue)

However, it will not recharge 9-volt batteries. The voltage from the solar panel isn't high enough.

The only thing the charger's dial really indicates is current. The time shown on the dial is an estimate based on the assumption that the battery is completely drained before trying to recharge it. It isn't the amount of time remaining. You still have to check the batteries from time to time with a voltmeter, until they're just over 1.4 volts each when you measure them with a voltmeter 30 minutes after taking them out of the charger. (The battery voltage usually falls off by 0.01V to 0.03V during the first half hour after removal.)

Not all of these chargers are equals. Some of them generate a higher charging voltage than others do. I tested mine with a voltmeter and found that one of them has a maximum voltage (full sun on perpendicular panel) of 5.4 volts, while the other shows only 4.8 volts. As the result, the charger that creates the higher voltage charges pairs of batteries significantly faster than the other one does. But both of them do charge pairs of NiMH batteries.

Will a solar battery charger pay for itself? It depends on how you look at it. Versus buying lots of single-use alkaline or lithium batteries, definitely it will. Versus recharging batteries with a cheaper house-current powered charger, probably not. In 1500 rechargings of a pair of Eneloop batteries, you'll be lucky to get a dollar's worth of electricity out of them, at the present price of utility supplied electricity.

E = total energy
B = number of batteries = 2
R = number of rechargings = 1500
P = electric power
T = time
V = average battery voltage = 1.35V
E = BRPT = BR(IV)T = BR(IT)V
IT = 2000 mAh = 7200 amp-sec
E = (2 batteries)(1500 rechargings)(7200 amp-seconds)(1.35 volts)
E = 2.916e7 Joules = 8.1 kWh
Cost = 8.1 kWh ($0.1/kWh) = 81 cents.

Consider a solar battery charger to be a way to hedge your battery investment against the possibility that you might not have house current someday.

There's no need to weep and gnash your teeth in the outer darkness. With rechargeable low-self-discharge batteries and these solar battery chargers, you'll have power for your flashlights and digital cameras far into the die-off period of the Apocalypse. So stock up!

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Description of Solar 11-in-1 Battery Charger

C.Crane Universal Solar 11-in-One Battery Charger with Meter - This high powered solar charger charges two Rechargeable Batteries of the same type and size (D, C, AA, AAA). It puts out about 150mah and about 5 volts. All of the other solar battery chargers we tested were unsuitable because their voltage was too low. Weight: 11.8 oz. Size: 6.8" W x 4.5" H x 2.3" D. This is the most versatile battery charger available on the market today. The solar panel is incorporated into the hinged cover which can be angled for maximum sun exposure. It goes beyond ordinarily employing the sunlight strength to charge your Ni-Cad batteries. Its in-built meter shows you the following conditions: -The strength of the sun -The strength of the current out-put from the solar panel -The time required to fully charge the different types of batteries This battery charger incorporates a built-in blocking diode to prevent reverse flow of electricity from charged batteries during storage. It is environmentally safe, cost efficient and trouble free. The polycarbonate transparent cover makes the charger weather resistant. This charger is an ideal gadget for camping, fishing, boating, and picnics. It is equally suitable for home use. "D," "C," "AA," and "AAA" size batteries. Batteries D-Size (UM-1) 1500mA 5.6x16.4x66.2mm 600mA C-Size (UM-2) 1000mA 5.6x16.4x66.2mm 720mA AA-Size (UM-3) 500mA 6.1x17x67mm 650mA AAA-Size(UM4) 180mA 7.8x16.4xx66.5mm 850mA 8.3x17x67mm 900mA 10.5x17x67mm 1200mA 10.7x17x67mm 1750mA Specs Voltage (VOC): 5V (maximum in full sunlight) Current (Isc): 140 mA (maximum in full sunlight)

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