Customer Reviews

Solar Powered Battery Charger with Meter Charges 2 "D" - "C" - "AA" - "AAA" Batteries

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This solar powered battery charger is a terrific item for camping or just around the house. It's a terrific energy saver, as it powers rechargeable batteries of any size in a matter of hours, and the charge lasts and lasts.

The item also charges 9 volt batteries, and we have been very happy with the unit. It is well constructed and sturdy, and will hold up to standard use. In other words, the plastic is industrial grade, much more sturdy your average Chinese battery operated toy.

...you really do need full sunlight to get a full charge. I live in the Northeast, so the number of fully sunny days isn't as much as in some places. As an example of what I mean by "full sunlight", I had it out on a very bright sunny day and the meter read fully charging. There are 16 cells on the solar panel. If I covered just one of these 16 cells with my finger, the meter dropped to 50%. If I covered two of the 16, the meter dropped down to what it would be on a cloudy day - right near the bottom.

I mostly tested it with AA and AAA batteries and they held their charges fine. But not knowing whether the batteries are fully charged is a bit of a pain, requiring you to get a separate battery tester. Fortunately these are cheap. [...]

Given the price of this item, even if you throw in the price of a battery tester, I'd say it's worth having. Get around the problem of inconsistent sunny days by having several extra rechargeable batteries you can use while waiting for a prime day. Just make sure you have a plug-in model as backup in case you really need a quick charge. I haven't used mine since I got this unit, so it seems to be practical for every day use.

While well designed and capable of a reported 160 mA in full sunlight, don't expect fast charging - ever. While you could stick it in your window, this unit benefits more from outdoor use. It is true that covering even one solar panel will diminish output capacity akin to a cloudy day. But even a brightly overcast day may generate some power. Better for the sunny states.

Even when using the battery braces AAA and AA cells tend to pop out if you over handle the charger. If you snap the unit shut this could dislodge one of the cells enough to prevent any charging. Thus, you could waste all day waiting for the charge which never happens.

9 hours of full sunlight reportedly charges a 1500 mA D cell. But a good rechargable D cell holds at least 4 amps or more. The reported charge times for the cells is based on a minimalist cell. Unless you are a hobbiest who gets a kick out of "free energy" (and who doesn't) this probably would not serve the camping enthusiast well if you are charging anything more than two AA's a day.

Charging Primary Cells - ATTEMPT AT YOUR OWN RISK! Risk of leaking, injury or fire.

In researching information on batteries I read it IS possible to recharge SOME primary alkaline cells. Results vary depending on the battery make, depleted state and charging at LOW current. In full sunlight this unit averages 80 mA per cell, so I thought - "Why not."

Keep in mind I did this fully understanding I may destroy the unit due to corrosion or fire from leaking or exploding cells. If you hear a battery "pop", it exploded.

I tested two Radio Shack AAA gold Alkalines which date back at least 5 years. Slightly better make than the cells they have today. They measured about 0.9 volts and pretty much stopped working. 0.9 volts and below is technically a dead cell.

I popped the AAA's in the charger and removed them after a good 15 to 20 minutes in sporatic full sunlight. I was amazed to see them now report back a respectable 1.3 Volts - just above the 1.2 Volt "weak cell" mark. Volt meters don't measure under "load" conditions so I used a regular battery tester. It did sustain the meter in the good zone.

With day light quickly vanishing I put Energizer AA's in the charger and stuck it in a window for another 30 minutes. The energy input was barely 60 or 80 mA at this point, but I did manage to charge them over 1.4 V. The cells do become pretty warm even after 15 minutes of solar charging. I carefully monitored them. This is not a "set it and forget it" ordeal. Even though they are working, they do not seem to hold the charge as well the second time around. Face it, Alkalines are a one way deal.

I also tested two AA carbon zinc cells which where already about 1.3 Volts. With diminished sunlight they reached about 1.485 volts. The cells didn't feel warm but could be due to the very low trickle charge from diminished sunlight. They did have that bit more of oomph in a pocket fan.

I have two TV Games units which were accidently switched on and drained the batteries completely. One unit had four Energizer AA's, the other four Duracell AA's. One of the Energizers began to leak onto the contact spring. Energizers have leaked on me a number of times in the past and I am done using them.

I would not test the leaking cell and discarded it, but two of the cells had reversed polarity and read -0.47 Volts. The third mustered a low voltage positive reading. The Duracells also reversed polarity but did NOT leak. So why am I telling you this? DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RECHARGE CELLS IN THIS STATE.

In short, I do not suggest the charging of primary cells - EVER. The risks involved due to leakage, explosions and possible fire are not worth life and limb - namely the risk of eye injury. While this unit could recharge your rechargable cells, it may take days for some cells. It best serves as a "top off" charger. What more do you want from a charger based on hobby solar cells?

I ordered the solar battery charger the evening of April 15, 2009, and less that 48 hours later, it was delivered to me via USPS. I find this to be a prompt service. The battery charger itself is better than what I anticipated; it is very light, well made and designed, and solid looking. I immediately placed two of my old dead rechargeable AA batteries in the charger and put it on the window panel; the meter worked as described and my batteries were fully charged after only three hours of California hot afternoon sun. What I found amazing was that after I used the batteries all night in my radio, they were still going strong 12 hours later; previously, the batteries lasted only a few hours after being recharged the conventional way by electricity.

Also, today, Saturday, April 18, less than 60 hrs after I ordered, I received also the solar batteries. I am very happy with my Solar Charger and the delivery service; I will recommend it to all of my neighbors and friends.

Thank you Amazon for providing great products and reliable shipping services. T.A.

I just got this the other day. I wanted to use it right away but it doesn't work at all in the shade. It has to be in direct sunlight. But be warned, after 2 or 3 hours in the sun, the batteries are hot and the charger is very hot. The batteries do charge well though.

This is a great idea but it should have more solar panel power, could take weeks to charge a 10,000 milliamp hour D cell size battery. You do the math max current is 180 mA,(in full sun) 10000 divided by 180 equals ? That's right 55 and a half hours. That's how many days of full sun? But in todays world this is better than not having, every house should have at least something like this.

In full sun, works just fine. Cloudy days are going to take longer. In winter in the northern USA on a cloudy day, you might as well use the wall outlet instead. Meter has a gage with hours required for full charge for each type of battery. Good for topping up low charge batteries. Would be nice if it could charge 4 AA or 4 AAA at one time, as so many devices use 4 batteries now.

Product is not functioning properly. Theere is no current shown on meter when C, AA or AAA are inserted. The D cell shows current and appears fine. Also, can not tell when the batteries are done charging.
Goldmaster 879 Solar Charger with meter.

BUT it was bulker than I thought and it will only charge 2 bateries of the same kind at one time. Not of much use to me. I have the smaller one that charges 4 AA bateries but it will take 4 weeks to charge my 4 2500 mA.Batteries.