Go Greener Tips

Posts Tagged ‘solar powered battery chargers’

The next time you are shopping, you might see solar powered battery chargers. Here are some things to consider about them.

Some good things

Would you like to recharge your batteries for zero cost? The sun’s energy is available for free. Consider a solar charger for your batteries. You will not see a negative impact on the environment either. Almost maintenance free, they will give you long service.

No one wants to be without electric power for days on end. You might consider a backup plan, in case that occurs. That plan can include a way to recharge your batteries without house electricity. Then you can have use of your cell phone. You can also see at night with your flash light and listen to the radio.

Not so good

It may take an extended time for batteries to charge. Solar power may not be as potent as its less efficient counterparts. It is important to note the wattage of the unit. Two watts, for example, will be much slower than a four watt charger. The lower power units are inexpensive. However, the price goes up considerably with more powerful units. There may not always be an adequate supply of sunlight. The climate that you live in may determine your decision to buy one.

A big variety

There are a lot of uses for solar household chargers. Everything from flashlights to cameras will fit into the category.

You can also get them for your car. Many of these models will work on trucks and recreational vehicles too. They are simple to use in many cases. You simply place it on the dash and plug it into a cigarette lighter receptacle. However, they will not perform heavy duty tasks like jump starts. If you want more recharge power, you will need a more expensive unit.

Make sure the unit has a blocking diode. This will prevent damage by not allowing electricity to flow back into the charger. Not all of the models will automatically shut off when fully charged. If this is the case, caution needs to be exercised. Overcharged batteries may present a hazard.

Most of the sun-driven battery chargers are portable units. There are stationary units. However, they are usually very large for housing and such. The expense involved with those may be cost prohibitive.

In closing

Most of these units are rather inexpensive. They are a good idea for emergency use, too. If you live where sunlight is plentiful, you should have few problems. They may charge slower than the household ones. However, their source of energy is free. In addition, their impact on the environment is minimal. They could represent a sound decision for many people. Solar powered battery chargers could be a very good decision.