Product Description

Brand New Universal Solar 11-in-One Battery Charger with Meter Charges 2 "D" - "C" - "AA" - "AAA" Batteries Designed for charging most popular types of rechargeable batteries: D size (UM-1), C size (UM-2), AA size (UM-3), AAA size (UM-4) and 7 different size GUM (Prismatic) Batteries! Description: This is the most versatile battery charger available on the market today. The solar panel is incorperated into the hinged cover which can be angled for maximum sun exposure. It goes beyond ordinarily employing the sunlight strength to charge your Ni-Cad batteries. Its in-built meter shows you the following conditions: -The strength of the sun -The strength of the current out-put from the solar panel -The time required to fully charge the different types of batteries This battery charger incorporates a built-in blocking diode to prevent reverse flow of electricity from charged batteries during storage. It is environmentally safe, cost efficient and trouble free. The polycarbornate transparent cover makes the charger weather resistant. This charger is an ideal gadget for camping, fishing, boating, and picnics. It is equally suitable for home use. It is designed to charge 11 different types of batteries: 7 different thickness "GUM" (prismatic) rechargeable batteries and the 4 more common batteries: "D," "C," "AA," and "AAA" size batteries. The table below shows more detail Regular Batteries GUM (Prismatic) Batteries D-Size (UM-1) 1500mA 5.6x16.4x66.2mm 600mA C-Size (UM-2) 1000mA 5.6x16.4x66.2mm 720mA AA-Size (UM-3) 500mA 6.1x17x67mm 650mA AAA-Size(UM4) 180mA 7.8x16.4xx66.5mm 850mA 8.3x17x67mm 900mA 10.5x17x67mm 1200mA 10.7x17x67mm 1750mA Specs Voltage (VOC): 5V (maximum in full sunlight) Current (Isc): 140 mA (maximum in full sunlight) Dimension: 19 x 8.7 x 4cm Weight: 260 Grams

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8313 in Single Detail Page Misc
• Model: 879

Features

• Charges 2 pcs of NIMH or NiCad "D"/"C"/"AA"/"AAA" size rechargeable batteries
• With all weather durable fibre glass board 7V solar panel
• With adjustable stand for adjusting the best angle to absorb maximum sunlight ensures faster charging
• A blocking diode is built into the circuit to prevent the reverse flow of electricity
• Batteries are not included

Customer Reviews

Fabulous gizmo
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.

Not a bad alternative to a plug in charger, but...
...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.

More like a trickle charger.
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?