Solar recharging of AA, AAA, phones, USB.

[sethorly]

Hi all.

I've been researching ways of using solar energy to recharge rechargeable AA and AAA batteries, and electronic devices including phones through USB ports. Solar panels attached to a battery pack which has the relevant ports seems to be what I need, but that's as far as I've got (other people's equipment on this forum I could find doesn't meet my needs). I'm very ignorant with gadgets.

Does anyone have experience with equipment for doing this? It would be much appreciated to get some advice.

[Deeps]

Hi mate, I've got one of these, there are other similar ones.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

It has 2 USB ports that can then be used to either charge phones/devices directly or I've also got USB powered battery chargers, AA/AAA and 18650/14500 types. Power banks can be clagged straight into it too.

Have a look round your preferred online buying sites for usb powered 'goodies', you can even get electric tooth brushes.

There are larger more substantial panels to be had too that can charge leisure batteries etc, this is something I fancy getting round to myself but I need to find the funds first.

Hope this helps.

[sethorly]

OK cool.

So could you use the Anker solar panels to charge up one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-5200mAh- ... er+battery?

Could you also then use either the Anker or the battery pack to power one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/XTAR-VC2-Premi ... harger+usb?

In other words, are these 3 devices compatible?

[Deeps]

I use the panels 2 USB ports to either charge devices directly, power banks or things like this that are also powered by a USB cable (can also be done by mains supply too of course)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282074649296? ... EBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PRIME-POWER-U ... SwstxVL6sv

There's loads of options, I've got the top one but for the other one I just typed 'USB powered aa battery charger' into ebay and this one came up. Have a wee rummage mate, I'm sure you can probably get better solar panels now as well, I've had it for a couple of years. Anker is a brand I trust but for the power banks etc there are so many out there, some claiming huge amounts of MaH's of storage which I'm dubious about. I've got one that doubles up as a lantern (you can still use it to charge devices too). Here it is although I only paid 9 quid for mine about 6 months ago.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-in-1-6000mA ... SwR5dXRJ7A

Like I say, there's loads of gucci toys to be had, ebay and amazon are your friend, although maybe not your credit card's.

[sethorly]

Thanks Deeps I appreciate it. I've purchased some kit and will try it out. I've got the solar panels you suggested as the price was right, I've got a lantern/battery, and a usb recharger. I'll report back once I've tested them.

[Deeps]

Good luck with it mate, enjoy your 'play', have a look on Youtube, everything else seems to be there so it wouldn't surprise me if there were videos on this kind of thing too. Let us know how you get on.

[sethorly]

Hi mate, I've got one of these, there are other similar ones.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

Thanks Deeps; these panels work a treat. They've just recharged my phone from 90% to 100% in less than 10 minutes (in the Autumn sun).

I'll report back with how they recharge a powerpack, which I've yet to purchase, and with how they recharge a Lixada LED camping lantern usb powerbank (tested as a powerbank: it sucks at being a powerbank for a phone (it recharges too little too slowly) - handy to have a lantern rechargeable through my solar panels though, plus the lantern function itself is top notch).

[gamekeeper752]

Good post
I'm off tomorrow to look at solar lighting for one of my sheds, as well as a battery re-charger been looking online but i like to get my hands on this stuff first.

I've had a freeloader panel and battery for a few years now for the phone, and a scorpion solar wind-up radio which is bloody fantastic although it works better if you attach the panel to it.

What with the panels on my roof which goes to the grid I still get more back in money than i pay out (i haven't got the space or money for the battery situation yet) I'm getting there

[Deeps]

I thought I'd resurrect this thread rather than start a new one, I've had a hundred quid of Amazon vouchers land in my lap and I'm looking at getting a 12v leisure battery/portable solar set up. I was originally thinking about a 'solid' panel like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Giosolar-100Wa ... olar+panel

but after a rummage I've seen plenty of hefty portable panels like this.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SUNKINGDOMTM-P ... DK8XXJ401G

I'm happy enough to get other bits next month as part of my 'zombie budget' but I'm looking for general advice on setting up a small setup like this, my thoughts are having the battery and regulator permanently set up in the shed with the panel being detachable (especially if I go for the camping option). Curious to all your thoughts and input.

[Warpigs]

I use the same as one of the first posters, the Anker powerport solar charger, ideal for mobile phones and USB battery charging units. So far from testing, it works adequately and a lot better than others I have tried, even in low light. Avoid the pocket monkey at all costs, now in my useless junk drawer.

My other setup is simply a 100 watt solar panel with regulator, inverter and leisure battery. This is much more efficient than the ankar although not very portable on foot and simply serves for charging bluetooth speakers, phones, radios, batteries (and a billion other uses depending on what you want and can run from a leisure battery or direct) This set up just stays stored away although I have toyed with the idea of setting it up permanently down at one of my BOLs. (or getting a second set) Next up, harness the water!