Simple Solar Update - Inexpensive Lead-Acid Battery

!±8± Simple Solar Update - Inexpensive Lead-Acid Battery

I was able to purchase this "Lawn and Garden" Lead-Acid battery for less than at Wal*Mart. So, I thought it would be worth experimenting with since its size and capacity will probably reduce the number of times I need to charge it (compared to the smaller gel cells I featured in my previous video: www.youtube.com The battery is rated at 275 "Cold-cranking" amps, which isn't of much value to me since I'm not starting a motor or anything. Although it doesn't say, a quick internet search suggests this battery is rated at about 18 amp-hours - which puts it at about one third the cost of a comparable gel cell. Problem is, it's probably not rated for much of a deep discharge since lawn equipment provides a continuous trickle charge. Nevertheless, I'll keep experimenting with it to see if it's cost-effective. I use an in-line "Watts Up" meter to monitor the voltage. So far, I've allowed it to drop below 12 volts (the QRP radio gear I power with it is very voltage tolerant). With a half day of full sunlight I'm able to bring it back up to well over 13 volts - which last many days of lower power communications on my amateur radio station. In the video I also mention that I'm now using Anderson "Power-Pole" connectors to eliminate a lot of the clip leads I've been using. Actually, I've been using these connectors for over a year now but just got around to introducing them to my simple solar stuff. They're great connectors and seem to be growing in popularity as a low voltage ...

Simple Solar Update - Inexpensive Lead-Acid Battery

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Nature Power 40014 6-Watt Solar Powered 12-Volt Battery Trickle Charger

!±8± Nature Power 40014 6-Watt Solar Powered 12-Volt Battery Trickle Charger

Brand : Nature Power | Rate : | Price : $59.99
Post Date : Dec 10, 2011 20:48:08 | Usually ships in 24 hours

Nature Power 6-Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger takes the sun's energy and turns it into electric current and delivers a small current to your rechargeable 12-volt batteries to promote the longevity and health of the battery. The current will compensate for small key off draw on your battery from items such as displays, stereo and alarm systems. The Solar Battery Trickle Charger also combats the effects of cold weather on your battery ensuring quick starts through the winter months. This solar panel is a way to keep your vehicles batteries topped up during storage. A great alternative to traditional battery chargers since no AC power is required, you will not need to run extension cords or use up valuable driveway space for stored vehicles. The 6-Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger delivers enough power to keep larger vehicle engine batteries topped up and may also be used on boats, power sports vehicles such as ATVs and sleds, as well as farm equipment such as deer feeders, lawn mowers, and battery backup sump pumps. Completely weatherproofed this solar panel can be installed outdoors permanently or temporarily using the included poles for tilting the solar panel towards the sun. Mounting hardware is included. Nature Power solar panels feature a sturdy aluminum frame and toughened glass top and are safe for temperatures ranging from 40 to 175-Degree Fahrenheit. A blocking diode built within the wiring protects your batteries draining due to reverse current. 11 feet of cabling lets you place the solar panel in the best position to receive sunlight and attaches to your battery using either battery cl-amp or a 12-volt car plug, both are included. Low current from this solar panel make it safe for your rechargeable 12V battery, no charge controller required. Installs with ease and is maintenance free. The Nature Power 6-Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger is covered by a 5 year warranty.

• Keeps your vehicle batteries charged; works with all 12-volt rechargeable batteries including those in vehicles, boats, farm equipment
• High quality amorphous solar material will work in all light conditions even on overcast days
• Weatherproof for outdoor use
• Battery clamp, 12-volt car plug and flat or tilted mounting hardware included
• Provides up to 6-watt or 0.4 Amp per hour of sunlight

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Living Without Batteries

!±8± Living Without Batteries

The humble battery seems to have been part and parcel of our lives forever. It is in numerous devices and gadgets around the home, from life saving smoke alarms to the TV remote, it may well seem that we couldn't live without them unless we wanted to do away with all our electrical items and gadgets but that may now not be the case.

You find batteries in nearly everything these days: laptops, mp3 players, TV remotes, kids toys and a whole host of other gizmos and thingamabobs. But the humble battery is not the most eco friendly method of powering our gadgets.

Firstly, rechargeable batteries rely on mains power to recharge. So all the power that is being consumed by your mp3 player, lap-top or TV remote when you change channels has originally been generated in our power stations, adding to our carbon footprint.

Secondly, none-rechargeable batteries are difficult to dispose of. They contain many harmful metals, acids and alkaloids that can seem into the environment causing damage for generations to come.

However, technology has advanced to the point now where we can almost do away with the battery completely. Many battery powered items like our laptops, music players and mobile phones can be recharged using renewable methods.

Solar battery chargers and even wind powered battery chargers are becoming increasingly common. And while many people may doubt their effectiveness, especially when there is little wind or sun, some of these chargers like the solar powered laptop chargers require very little light to produce enough power to charge the laptop.

You can even charge large heavy duty batteries like those in cars with solar powered trickle chargers.
solar trickle charger main

And for other devices you can even replace them with solar powered versions. Some solar powered TV remotes now, can even draw enough power from indoor lights meaning you will never lose power to the TV remote.

And there are a whole host of kids toys and cars that are powered by solar or other renewable methods.

Living Without Batteries

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