Rechargeable batteries and solar panel recommendations

[butnewa]

Have been looking at switching over to rechargeable batteries and getting a solar recharger. Figured this would be a good place to ask for info.

Any recommendations for or against?

I was looking at the Goal Zero Nomad 7M and need to be able to at least recharge AA, AAA, and CR123. (Seems like most items take CR123's these days.)

Are some rechargeable batteries better than others?

Thanks in advance...

[jerrymrc]

For chargers this http://www.amazon.com/AccuPower-AP2020-1-Accu-Manager-Battery-Batteries/dp/B000NPE59E

Or this. http://www.amazon.com/Accupower-Accu-manager-Battery-Charger-Batteries/dp/B0017PR6B8/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1303651304&sr=1-2

And then you are going to need something like this; http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-50032-Solar-Battery-Charger/dp/B0006JO0X8/ref=pd_sim_auto_5

I have reduced my rechargeable's to AAA, AA and use a "D" cell adapter for items that need it. The little solar chargers that cost about $25 will work but are painfully slow. The above chargers run on 12v as well as 110.

You could also build your own solar panel for less. Take a look here;http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20019&highlight=solar

This should get ya started. The Nomad 7M looks good along with the battery pack. I think recharge time may be a little more than 1.5 hr. As far as batteries go I like the duracell ones. I can tell you to stay away from the HF ones. I tried them and the life is disappointing.

[Busta Prima]

I was looking at the Goal Zero Nomad 7M and need to be able to at least recharge AA, AAA, and CR123. (Seems like most items take CR123's these days.)

Are some rechargeable batteries better than others?

Thanks in advance...

Hi and welcome. CR123s cannot be recharged unless you like fire and destruction in general! They do make a battery that size that is rechargeable but the problem is the voltage is much higher so you MUST make sure the device is designed for it. Two freshly recharged RCR123s pump out 8.4 volts vs the 6 volts you get from primary (non-rechargeable) CR123s.

As for some batteries being better than others, sure . . . just like most things. For rechargeables, AW brand make some of the best. I've had good luck with some of the Chinese ones called Trustfire and Ultrafire. There are others but I can't think of them right now.

If you buy CR123s (primary, 3volt, non-rechargeable ones) online you can get good ones for under $1.50 a piece and they have a 10 year shelf life (minimum). For those you want to avoid the ones made in China and stick with American or Japanese ones.

That voltage issue is even worse with AA and AAA because primary batteries in those sizes are 1.5 volts and rechargeables are 3.7 when nearly drained and 4.2 when freshly charged. Most folks use NIMH (nickle metal hydride) in those applications and again, stick with Japanese or American on these too. Don't worry about the nimh having lower voltage. In a high current drain device (like a powerful flashlight) they have less voltage drop so the net result is MORE voltage than a throw-away alkaline.

Hope that helped.

[butnewa]

Thanks for the input...I will check those out.

I tried to limit myself to AA and AAA only but seems like every flashlight I like uses the CR123's.

What are HF batteries?

[jerrymrc]

Thanks for the input...I will check those out.

I tried to limit myself to AA and AAA only but seems like every flashlight I like uses the CR123's.

What are HF batteries?

Harbor Freight. [Coffee]

[2ndChildhood]

A few years ago they came out with the low-discharge formulation of NIMH batteries and they are a huge improvement over traditional NIMH's and of course NiCads.
The dang things will keep their charge for months on the shelf and I have ones that are 3 years old and still take a charge just fine.
These are available in AA, AAA and C for sure, maybe other sizes too.

Two brands I have used are Sanyo Eneloop and Maha Imedion.
Try http://www.thomasdistributing.com/

[Yota]

I've had good luck with the Eneloops as well, AA. GPS and camera mainly.

[Busta Prima]

+1 on the Eneloops. The Duracell precharged are rebadged Eneloops but I recommend buying the ones with the WHITE tops only. The White tops are made in Japan and are definitely made by Sanyo. The black top ones are not as good and I'm not sure who makes those but they are made in China.