I want to make a solar battery charger for AA, C, and D NiCads.

Does anyone know of any sources for small solar panels of about 6 VDC to 12 VDC at about 200 mA output under $20.00?

Thanks in advance.

Larry P.

-- Larry P. (soldog@hotmail.com), November 06, 1998

Answers

Are you trying to save money over what is commercially available? If not, check out the following products:

http://www.rei.com/cgi- bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=872&prmenbr=8000 (works with AA)

and

http://www.realgoods.com/products/conserve/50-212.htm (works with all batteries)

-- Ben Davenport (bendaven@microsoft.com), November 06, 1998.

Also check out the solar battery charger at Ccrane. The folks there, have tested different types and this is the only one that has sufficient voltage to do a good job. Get it for $14.95 at www.ccrane.com. (Item #SBC)

-- adam (encelia@mailexcite.com), November 06, 1998.

Try this site:

http://www.sun-mate.com

-- Anna McKay Ginn (annaginn@aol.com), November 07, 1998.

Ben,

Yes, I am trying to save money, but, there are other considerations. I have been using AA and AAA NiCads for almost 20 years now, and the AC charger I designed and built is still going strong. However, it is dependent on household current, and the small charger I built for use in the car still needs a 12 V. battery. What I want to do is have an energy source that itself doesn't need charging. That means solar. With the right panel, I can do the rest, and make the charger as versatile as I like.

Thanks for the help.

Larry P.

-- Larry P. (soldog@hotmail.com), November 07, 1998.

try www.jademountain.com they have all different size solar chargers. also checkout the home power magazine home page, I think it's just www.homepower.com and go from there. You can also hit the motherload there because you can download the magazine with tons of advertisers. You'll need adobe acrobat to read it.

Enjoy the sun - use the sun.

jd

-- jd (hemwat@bellsouth.net), November 07, 1998.