Thick or thin?

Many Chrons take devices that require autonomous power supply- GPS, PDA, walkie-talkies, cameras, players. But how to "soak" your device if it has a battery, not batteries?

they remember that a craftsman lives in Moscow, who, for a small fee, makes a charger that allows you to get 5-6 volts from two batteries of one and a half volts (in my case, 5.2 was needed) and 300-400 mA. Let's expand on this topic a bit.

Let me remind you that two AA "fingers" provide 100% charging of the Sony Clie UX -50 PDA battery in about 5 hours. During this summer's camping trip, I recharged the handheld four times, using it for p navigation, reading reports, and filling out a diary. Using a PDA at home is different from traveling. In rain and cold, repeated use of the device can drain lithium three times faster than expected.

Sony was charged at night so that the device was ready by morning. The constant pulling of a pair of new batteries from a carefully packed herme somewhere from the bottom of the boat, the issues of disposing of old ones and preparing the device for work made me a little tired, and I decided to test the charge from thick “batteries” (type D), since the “nest” for them was given to me as a load.

So, a couple of fat Energizers were bought, and the test was successfully carried out. "Fat" in all respects beat the AA format. True, I note that the charge was made indoors at a temperature of 23 degrees.

Fast "burning" of the charge was provided by continuous viewing of video from the Memory Stick. After 1 hour 20 minutes, the PDA began to angrily swear that it had 11-12% left and it would be time already ... Sony considers an “empty” battery charged by 8-9%. I "brought" it to this state by viewing the slideshow.

Two "thick" ones were enough for 7 PDA charges. The first three cycles took 3.5 hours, the next three from 5 to 10 hours. The last (seventh) charge topped up the battery to 60%.

The end of the charge is clearly visible by the state of the diode on the charger - it becomes brighter when the box loses its consumer load. Now let's quickly calculate: two not the coolest D batteries cost 100-120 rubles, 14 "fingers" - 280 rubles. Not only is it more profitable to eat from “thick” ones, it’s also more convenient - such a device can still be rolled up at home with electrical tape into a relatively hermetic cube along with a PDA cradle, and at the right time just insert a handheld there, without bothering with changing batteries and recycling, connecting wires, etc. If you recharge your PDA in this way once every two days, then they should definitely be enough for a two-week trip.

Total: primitive in appearance, but perfectly working with lithium ion device. You can contact the developer and order the version you need here http://starostin.palmclub.ru/ In 2004 it cost 350 re. and there are many desires, therefore we will look for more ...

"Vampire" - for and against

In Moscow, there is an unofficial office represented by one enthusiast (let's call it "Vampirchik-San", hereinafter "BC"), which offers a slightly more modified device. A wide range of output voltages (from 5 to 14 volts), smooth voltage regulation (I remind you that the previous device has only a “manual” switch 5/5.5/6 volts), stabilized current and voltage, universal terminals, two source status diodes , one is charging. The cost is 600 r.

Chargers: from Starostin and "Vampirchik-1"

I wanted to figure out if a radio station consuming 10-12 volts could work from this voltage converter, because it needs from 550 to 1000 mA in case of external power, to work with portable or basic antennas. "V-C" at my request compiled a table of current dependencies on the input and output voltages of the "Vampirchik", with an input current of ~ 2.5 amperes.

I would like to draw your attention to what is maximum currents; workers tend to be smaller. With the input voltage, too, not everything is simple. For example, if you put two AA batteries in the Vampire's socket, this does not mean that there will be 3 volts under the work load. In practice, the voltage on the power sources will “sink” to ~ 2.5 volts. And this means that at 10, for example, output volts, we will not get the coveted 1100 mA, and even 900! As a result, it is clear that it is impossible to power, for example, the Berkut from two batteries (such an experiment, by the way, was carried out and confirmed the theory ... J). From two batteries, not a single foreign CB radio will work, in which the consumption in transmission mode is even higher than that of our "birds".

But the "AA" tandem can easily power small radios of the 433 range - such as the Vector VT -43. They just don't need it, probably not a large number of Batteries are easier to shove directly into the radio. But still, it is clearly seen that the "vampire" can work with a wide range of small devices.

Mini-tests carried out in apartment conditions showed that the Berkut radios, designed for external power supply, _principally_ work from the “vampire” and two batteries in it. Moreover, at the same time, there was no radio interference from the voltage converter, even at a distance of 50 cm. In the reviews on the “V-C” forum, there was information that when the converter was operating, interference was coming to the radio; “... strong radio interference from a working “vampire”. It is not possible to charge the battery and operate the radio at the same time. Interference interferes even at a distance of 20 meters from the converter ... " However, it was not possible to specify which model was used. I don't know, maybe it's the radios. Every attempt was made to hear such interference, but to no avail. Both versions of "vampires" were tested:

Vampyrchik-1 in comparison with the radios "Berkut"

Of the radio stations, the "principled" test passed:

Radio B601m2. Works with signal interruption once per second. In theory, this model is not designed to work with external power, but it was still interesting to check

Radio B601m2T (new model). Works from an external source normally, set 10 volts.

Walkie-talkies B803 and B803A. They work without problems from 11-12-13 volts, loud, clear, without interference. Although the earlier model B803A is not designed for external power! (however, all later ones, according to the manufacturer, will work - from the spring of 2006)

It's all great, but the test distance = 10 meters ... The ability to make Berkut work to its fullest will be from 4.5-5 input real volts (for example, 4 AA batteries). But, firstly, they need one more special socket, and secondly, where there are four, there are five ... and five batteries can already be put directly into the B601. Slightly awkward layout.

In general, the question of the need for a bunch of "batteries - a vampire - a radio station" is very shaky. But trying to power your PDA from a “vampire” is a really useful thing!

Charging a PDA from "Vampirchik"

with Vampirchik-1 with Vampirchik-2

For tests, I had to make an adapter "PDA-crocodiles", and on the "Vampire" there is already a regular wire with "crocodiles". Total connections are minimal, and without complications.

I must say that I did a lot of experiments on charging the computer - the first version of Vampire, the second two, and my long-suffering Sonya participated in the tests. The second version is more compact and has some bells and whistles. In order not to tire the reader with the results of endless tests and stormy correspondence with V-S, I will confine myself to the end result.

So, the “vampire” charges a lithium battery for 1 hour. This alarmed me, but I was convinced that I was a fool who did not understand my happiness, or that my battery was crooked. However, you can't argue against the facts: I never managed to charge the PDA with more than 90% of the freshest batteries. Not only that - the test video clip after charging with "Vampirchik" plays only 35 minutes! Instead of the required 80. This means that in reality, Vampirchik charges Sonya by no more than 43% for a full cycle. Although everything seems to be in order: the current is stabilized, under load - 300 mA, voltage 5 V, signs of charging are displayed on the PDA ... And after an hour the batteries are completely exhausted.

Let me remind you that regular charging from the network takes 3.5-4 hours, while the PDA is charged at 100%; a similar situation with the device of Dmitry Starostin, everything is “ok” with him. So, the conclusion is that the “vampire” in its current form is an interesting device, but I cannot recommend it for charging lithium batteries.

I told Nikolai about the tests. However, even the "undercharge" did not shake the confidence of "V-S" in their rightness. The enigmatic phrase "... so it's about tension ..." puzzled me a little. What is the tension here? Everything is measured. The mains charger supplies 5.33 volts to the PDA, Starostin - 5, "Vampire" - 5. Changing the voltage on the latter does not change the situation at all.

... But from two "AA" my ancient tape recorder, which is designed for five thick batteries, honestly began to play. The voltage was set to 7.5 V ... J

However, I think that it will be useful for a lover of "things" to know the plans

"V-S", especially since these plans include very interesting devices:

1 - In the near future there will be a buffer for solar panels. He does the following. From an arbitrary input voltage from 4 to 15V, it makes about ~ 5.5V stable. At the same time, there are batteries inside it, which are charged and if the input power is not enough, then the energy is already taken from them. Those. you can work without the sun from acc. or batteries. If there is enough sun, then you can only feed from it. All switching in it is automatic. At the same time, the efficiency of all transformations is about 80% i.e. higher than now at 5V. Can only work as a stabilizer.

Those. combination of a 2AA charger, a vampire and a REDUCING pulse stabilizer. Dimensions, 68x47x18mm, weight about 50g without acc.

At the time of publication of the article, the buffer has already appeared, http://www.vampirchik-sun.nm.ru/buf1.htm (by the way, I'm going to buy it)

2 - “Vampirchik” of the same design as mine, but with minor improvements (no blinking diodes, warning that the output is more than 6V, fireproof up to input voltages up to 15 (20?) V., works better at low voltages, according to compared to the current one).

3 - Combination of a normal charger (nickel and maybe 3.6V lithium) and a “vampire”.

4 - Version max. From 2 ... 20V (i.e. from anything: from solar panels to almost any adapters) make a 4 ... 15V output (stabilized, of course), with a built-in buffer-charger. Digital adjustment of CURRENT and voltage. Automatic charging of batteries of ANY type (lithium, nickel, lead).

The digital processor is inside, therefore, not only a digital indication of everything and everything, but also matyuki, and advice to the user in normal Russian (so far in writing, and not aloud, although there will most likely be orals too).

The user can adjust almost all parameters for himself. Weight 100-150g. The price is possible 50..70 dollars. It all depends on the possibilities. Simpler and cheaper versions may appear first.

5 - It is planned to release systems for powering laptops from solar panels. They can practically already be assembled even now, since all the nodes are there.

I remind you that Vampirchik was originally designed to work with solar panels, which are also produced by V-S.

Turning to the sun...?

More on modern market I did not find stand-alone decent chargers. Maybe they are, but they are not at all well-known, or they are not particularly suitable for our hiking purposes (since they are powered from the "board"). Like, for example, the fancy Vegavolt, http://www.vegavolt.ru/product/, which promises to determine how much current and voltage your device consumes, and give it the right portion. But I am traditionally afraid of too smart devices ... J There are a number of "on-board" adapters, but they do not suit us either.

So what else is left for us? Let's try the sun...?

... To Nikolai's credit, that's enough full review solar panels on the market (albeit without Q-Mac, but in vain ..), and I advise you to read it, however, the conclusions for each battery cannot be objective for the simple reason that the manufacturer of the "vampire" produces them himself. Therefore, almost all batteries in the review are teeming with shortcomings, and quite worthy competitors are described sparingly, and the first conclusion that an inexperienced reader makes is that B-C batteries are out of competition.

After reviewing a solid list, I singled out among them devices that weigh less than a kilo and have at least 4 watts of output power and 4.5 volts of voltage, because other options are not suitable for our business.

In the end, they looked pretty.

1. BruntonSolarpoint 4.4. The main characteristics are described in the article. I can only add that at 7 V it gives about 550 mA. It's not bad. Everything in it is cool, but you will buy horseradish. A rare bird on order from behind a hillock.
2. Sun Carcher Sport. The same - problems with delivery and sickly, frankly. price in the absence of detailed technical data on Russian sites. Expensive and promising pig in a poke.
3. iSunSport. Directly salivating flowed - such, you know, a tourist option - painted everywhere in the news, but nowhere for sale. Eh...
4. Coleman Exponent Flex 5. See point 3. Alas and ah ... The site indicated in the article that sells this miracle has long been absent from the Internet.
5. SolarNote. The price is biting ... Unconventional for a Russian manufacturer (150 ye). Not surprisingly, the "B-C" in Solar's description gave the competitor only the output volt (14) and the price J
6. SCD-3. This model is the most liked, to be honest. I started looking for a place to sell it and came across a curious text of testing this device on a hike. Even on a bright sunny day, this figurine does not give out more than 200 mA at 6 volts. Even for "charging" AA fingers, this is weak. And you can immediately forget about the walkie-talkie.
7. Solar panels from "V-S"- at 10 watts. They are quite affordable and work with a Vampirchik voltage converter purchased separately. I also laid eyes on a 10-watt device, despite the fact that such a battery costs only 87 ye.

So, I seriously decided to get a solar battery. But obviously not overseas by order. Because if she does not meet my requirements in real life - to the trash heap or to the wall as a surprise J

The next step made me think: what is better - to buy the most powerful battery for charging laptops, such as Solar Note, and lower its voltage for my little things with the help of a smart converter, which is still in the plans of "B-C", or a universal adapter type Vanson CA-800A http:// www. sbat. ru/ description. php? cd=2955 It is sharpened for a car cigarette lighter, but, having hands, you can try to stick it to a 12-volt battery. Then at the output we will have a standard "markup" - stabilized 1.5/3/4.5/6/7.5/9/12 volts, and a good 800 mA. True, it is not clear how to get 5 volts for a PDA. And I'm not sure that there will be as much current as indicated. All these devices need to be tested in practice, and the figures on paper are only the bold assumptions of the developers ...

... Or is it easier to purchase a weak solar battery that produces no more than 4.5-5 volts, and using the "vampire" converter to get the required 7, 9, 12 v, etc.?

True, the laws of physics teach that from g ... you can’t get candy .... J is either possible, but with monstrous energy losses. How to proceed?...

... A short but fruitful correspondence with different manufacturers, as well as a more careful acquaintance with devices on the Internet, pushed my decision closer to the Solar Note battery from DCA. It seemed that it would be wiser to immediately buy from V-C for ~ 109 ye a ready-made solution "10 watt battery - voltage converter" ($ 87 + $ 22), but I did not like a number of parameters of the solar battery of this company. Firstly, the manufacturer honestly indicates that the plates are fragile and afraid of water: “dampness is highly undesirable for the device… during rain, put it somewhere under a shed…”, “protect it from shocks and mechanical overloads in the cold” “Protect the SB from impacts…”

In addition, the lower temperature limit for "B-C" is indicated as -10, and for "DCA" as - 40. The battery "B-C", of course, has a large current = 2.5 A, but the output voltage under load is only 4 volts. And where is it with such tension? It turns out that without a “vampire” that changes parameters, the SB itself has no value. And if something happens to the converter during the campaign - the money for the SB is thrown to the wind ...?

In short, putting competitors aside in my mind, I contacted the manufacturer Solar Note. Despite the rather high price of the device, I consider it a plus that the battery is Russian - you can always quickly replace the marriage, advise an idea or order the desired option.

The connections of the Solar Note plates are filled with a thick polymer, therefore they are resistant to physical stress. A good extreme option, given that “...we use impact-resistant plastic, and our batteries can be thrown from a height on rocks and kept in water. Tests carried out ... in Peru ... showed suitability for use in field conditions, including ... for military purposes. "... one of the versions is now being tested for a marine pop-up buoy in the Far East ..."

Well, why not a battery of a waterman! ... J Now it is clear that the main ambush that scares away a tourist - the fragility of solar batteries - has been overcome. In general, the company "DCA", in my inexperienced opinion, approached the matter at a more professional level.

Mechanical strength and water resistance is what the doctor ordered. However, the question loomed again - it turns out that we still need to look for a down converter? ... Where can I put these 12 volts? raise from small.

... Tormented by thoughts about the inconstancy of the current, and life in general, I became sad, but not for long.

I was offered an interesting solution to the problem - a battery-designer without electronic conversion devices, which, depending on the mating of the plates, produces different groups of currents and voltages. In this case, we will talk about six plates, each measuring 13.5x14.5 cm, 5 mm thick (thick plastic). Of course, not for all occasions, but there are quite interesting combinations. In addition, zener diodes can be implanted into the plates - such tiny little things that stabilize the output current.

I tried to bring all possible combinations into a theoretical table (the values ​​in the cells are the number of plates needed; there can be any number of them, depending on the tasks and the client's money):

In real life, of course, the figures may be less (depending on the sun). The “crosshairs” that interest me are highlighted in red, which I would use for my needs ... The lowest red “number” - 6 plates connected in series - is actually an analogue of the “B-C” battery (that is, the X-treme battery includes “B -S" as part)

In general, the declared characteristics of the Solar Note plates made me take a chance, and I ordered a prototype, calling it " Solar Note Extreme" (hereinafter X-tream).

As you can see, the lack of sensible information in the article worked the other way around - it was the minimum of information that made me dig up more of it, and I was more satisfied with the “rival”, at least theoretically so far. The manufacturer suggested that I check the shock resistance of the X-tream myself, however, it’s a pity to knock on the panel with a hammer and throw it out of the window, but you can put the battery into a basin of water without any problems, considering, however, that 5 cm of water will absorb 15-20% of the sun light...J

BatterySolarnoteX-treme (prototype for tourists)

"Designer" in expanded and folded form

So, I am holding six plates in my hands.

Max. open circuit voltage - 5.8 V

Short circuit current - 0.35-0.42 A

Maximum current voltage - 4.8-5 V

Maximum power current - 0.32-0.4 A

Minuses:

1. Automobile connectors "mom-dad". They are dismembered with difficulty, under the threat of breaking the soldering. For the future, I would like connectors that are more sane in operation - “tulips” or small “crocodiles”.
2. Completely bare wires from the plates did not please. They actually carry current. And there are a lot of wires, and they get confused with each other. I mentioned my mother more than once, manually isolating 12 wires. It would be nice to wear cambric.
3. Need to swap connectors for every task
4. I want a substrate for the plates so that they are all in the same plane. And remove the wires behind the substrate

By function the manufacturer promised to work on the shortcomings, so we will assume that they will no longer be in the next copy,

Pros:

1. The ability to configure current and voltage in every possible way. Just a holiday! Real constructor.

2. The ability to take only the required number of plates on a hike, and not drag the entire designer, which weighs ~ 800 g (6 plates).

3.Compact design - the entire battery is assembled in an area equal to the area of ​​one plate. SB will not break in a backpack, germ.

4.lack of extra. electronics (in the form of a voltage converter) - there is nothing to freeze, get wet, clog and break, which is important in extreme conditions

5. the absence of possible interference on the radio from the converters

6. If necessary (after all!) You can connect a buffer battery to the battery, as well as converters that work both for lowering volts and for increasing. As a result, we get a truly universal solution

7. The designer can be sold "by plate". So all the plates are the same, the client simply buys the right amount of them, and if necessary, can buy more. For example, if I only want to recharge my PDA, I only need 1 or 2 plates, not 6. Price and volume decrease accordingly.

Plate Connection Examples X-treme

Each plate has "+" and "-" with certain terminals on the wires that cannot be mixed up. In addition, the constructor has special adapters for group parallel connection. With a series connection, we get an increase in voltage, with a parallel connection - current:

Rice. 1 Three elements are connected in series (plus one with the minus of the other, etc.) at the extreme terminals we get 15 V, current 0.35 A.

Rice. 2 Two elements are connected in parallel (plus one with the plus of the other, minus the first with the minus of the second) at the terminals we get 5 V, current 0.7 A.

Rice. 3 Two elements are connected in series (plus the first with a minus the second) at the extreme terminals we get 10 V, current 0.35 A

Rice. 4 Three elements are connected in parallel (all pluses together, all minuses together) we get 5 V, current 1.05 A

The output current of the battery is limited by the photocell with minimal illumination, so they must all be placed in the same plane relative to the sun. In the absence of fixation, it is difficult to put all the elements of the constructor in the same position ... Therefore, they all need to be fixed - I used an old folder where I inserted plates into the corners. Of course, the fixation of the plates would already be provided by the manufacturer. It is more convenient to stretch the plates in a row on a Cordura substrate, to which they can be glued, and remove the wires flush so as not to interfere. But for the test, the “rough” version came off in a hurry:

And I would like something like this, only more compact, and without a hard case:

In general, the battery is promising, it remains to wait for the sun. I'm looking forward to! Although the wretched ideology of the charger with SB, as a sentence, has already been formulated by the manufacturer of "Vampirchik": « Usually only AA batteries are charged from the sun, and then at a convenient time, with the help of Vampirchik, they “transfer” the charge to PDAs, phones, etc.»

This is true. However, is it solar panels are suitable only for charging small things?! ... After all, it's easier to take spare batteries and a “vampire”. Then why SB? Would love to work directly with her!

Working with a walkie-talkie

March. Test 1. The sun is 40 degrees above the horizon. I am sad: during the long-range test of the STERKH antenna, the walkie-talkie, which was taken to work with the sun, at the most necessary moment gave oak from numerous experiments **, and the current before the communication session under load was excellent - up to 1100 mA! The battery can! But alas ... However, it was necessary to check the fundamental operation of the radio station from the sun before publishing the article. So I had to wait for the next sun and run a kilometer away from home with B601m2T and SB. The correspondent stood with the B803A in the building by the window.

At a perpendicular position to the sun (she just hung a folder with plates on her shoulder), the correspondent heard me perfectly - the signal was confident, strong. I heard the correspondent well in almost any position of the plates - even lying on the snow. This is because the B601m2T consumes a meager amount of current when receiving.

During the conversation, noise was heard in the form of a crackle. Three probable causes: lack of lighting, local interference, interference from a correspondent standing in the kitchen where an electrical appliance (refrigerator) was working.

However, the fundamental question - is it possible to talk on the walkie-talkie from the SB directly, without buffer batteries? - made up my mind. This is the most difficult test for SB, whatever you say. If she was able to master this, then the rest is garbage ... J

I didn’t have a tester with me, but, apparently, the current was at least 500-550 mA, and the voltage was 11 with a tail (under load, it drops to 9.6 volts, which is quite enough for the B601 type radio to work, and maybe even B803…)

The scheme by which the plates were connected:

This circuit is rated for 10 volts and 1 amp. In real life, on tests, the circuit gives a voltage of more than 11 volts and about 1000 mA with the sun 40 degrees above the horizon. Given that the sun is quite low and spring, but everything worked out - the scheme is correct.

More detailed tests (for distance, the power of the connected antenna, etc.) I will carry out later.

It remains to add that the test was carried out with plates affected by “corrosion” (see below). And yet, it did not really affect the result.

The permanent Pravda and I took part in the test. Both antennas are STERKH (in fact, work with the base antenna from the sun has been tested for a long distance, 20 km). The strongest wind - my antenna bent into an arc, the clouds are rushing densely. The sun flashed only 3 times for 5 seconds (!!!) The counterweights were stuck in half a meter of snow, in the crust, I didn’t even tread the grooves. The battery spun between my legs constantly on a rope, in an uncomfortable position, and I did not expect miracles from it. However, all three times when the sun appeared, the guys heard me at 4.4 on average. Not God knows what, but solely because of strong regional interference. In addition, the sun showed and hid its face so quickly that it is generally surprising how they managed to hear me.
I always heard the guys, even without the sun, the battery was turned with its muzzle conditionally towards him. The final test "walkie-talkie-SB" will be carried out on a completely sunny day, with a tester, but it is already clear that the chip works.

Recharging the PDA from two plates, with the connection of the "Vampirchik"

Winter. 40 degrees above the horizon, dim sun. Time 13.30.

Separately, the voltage for each plate lying horizontally = 4.95-5 volts.

Current in a horizontal position from one plate - 0.01 -0.03 A

Current perpendicular to the sun from one plate - 0.21

I connected both plates in parallel to the PDA. The voltage turned out to be 4.65 total (with load!) Current - 0.03 A in a horizontal position, and 0.30-0.31 A towards the sun (10 times more!!!)

Charging is going well. When the power is increased (quite perpendicularly), the PDA starts clicking angrily - apparently, it does not like something. And why doesn’t he dispense currents himself? Maybe he can't. Or the voltage is too high. So, you have to be careful not to burn the battery! In general, it’s a pity that this SB does not have a zener diode, okay ...

But it became quite clear - the plates should be facing the sun. It only appears that they are illuminated while lying horizontally. With a decrease in the angle of the plane of the plates relative to the sun, their power decreases sharply. You won't believe it until you try it and measure it yourself! :)

When connected to the “Vampirchik” chain, charging, of course, immediately stops - the new device does not have enough current even to “feed” itself, and not just a handheld.

Thoughts: having an X-Treme type solar array, the need for a voltage converter for joint work disappears from SB. If there is sun, everything can work directly from the battery. There is no sun - and the "vampire" also "dies" ... Although its role as a stabilizer is important. But he wants too much current at the input, and this current is wasted, even if the increase in voltage is not required! (5 volts is the minimum output of this device, and 5 volts is required by my Sony).

It's the same with a walkie-talkie: it can work directly from the sun, and when you connect the "Vampire" we lose all the current! Of course, you can simply charge the batteries with the converter all day and use them in the evening.

And if I need to urgently talk, for example, or decide? ....

Throwing and selection

With improper polymerization of the protective plastic, the plates can become covered with a network of cracks, bubbles, and even "mold" - from the inside. When buying plates, you should always ask where and how they were made. "Corrosion" will appear in the first couple of months. This happened to me with a test sample - it turns out that instead of 40 minutes, the new plastic was polymerized for 20, and here you are!... J

I almost collapsed when I saw the result of the "underground" process one day. Although it had little to no effect on the readings, but the view... also, the network of cracks could cast shadows on the photocells, and that could reduce the current. And the plastic, struck from the inside, is no longer so strong.

Reason to think ... I was upset and decided to look for something else.

And it didn't take long to find it! Another interesting SB family was discovered very quickly. it flexible SUN-CHARGER batteries http://www.sun-charge.com/

On the page there is a large range of batteries, from 4.5 to 16 volts (0.32 - 2 amperes), but the prices, of course, are hellish. Specifically, I was interested in the SCN -9/9 model http://www.sun-charge.com/indexmodels.html?model=49&mid=2 - with the most optimal voltage-current ratio: 9 volts, 0.96 amperes, 600 grams in weight, with a flexible and mechanically strong structure. Not enough tension! But, if you believe the songs from the site, “These devices are absolutely undemanding to conditions of humidity and ambient temperature. Thus, these devices are ideal for tourists, geologists, polar explorers, etc…”

About the polar explorers, I think the guys turned down: the low-hanging sun will give too little current for any task. But, it turns out, this is another extreme model? Whoa!...

We read further: “SUN-CHARGER chargers are made from solar modules produced according to latest technology based on the use of amorphous silicon. Production of photovoltaic cells based on amorphous silicon is carried out in the USA. solar modules coated with special polymeric materials (technical solution of Russia), do not contain fragile components (glass and crystalline silicon), which allows them to withstand significant mechanical loads, in comparison with solar cells manufactured using traditional technologies.

Another “Russian polymer” is alarming. Will he give me oak, like the previous one? I hope no. But the main ambush of flexible batteries is a very low efficiency.

With all the “tour-attractiveness” of the devices (I almost bought one of them!!!), here is a little note from a specialist in solbats:

«… amorphous silicon, service life 10 years, efficiency 8%, weight much lighter, produced by NPO Kvant, Zelenograd. The price is high, 2-3 times more expensive than a single crystal. Amorphous silicon is used in watches, calculators, etc., where very small currents are needed and there is no strong solar radiation, because the thickness of the sprayed layer is very small, there is a possibility of burnout in the bright sun, in the south or in the mountains.…»

So, I have identified 3 conditional contenders for the acquisition:

1. 150 cu. Battery-constructor from DCA X-treme. Properly polymerized, it has many advantages and is quite powerful, even for 6 plates. If you buy the version brought to mind, then I will have a lot of “current-voltage” options that competitors did not dream of
2. 109 ye. 10 watts from "B-C". This option, 4 v - 2.5 A, is only suitable for using the Vampire, or only for charging AA fingers. But it gives a lot of current, allowing charging to be done at least twice as fast as the others. Two pieces (+87 ye) will give 8 v. 8 I am neither here nor there, and the weight ... But a mighty current! ...
3. 184 cu. Battery 9/9 from SCN. The lightest, most compact and extreme option, but it gives 9 v - 0.9 A, and then, I think, only on paper.

Having rushed between the haystacks, again I mentally clarify why to me would need SB?...

Charging AA batteries in the Berkut radios. It is in walkie-talkies, because it is pointless to charge them two by two, there are at least 5 of them. To charge the entire set in the body of the walkie-talkie, you need min. (12 v - 0.2-0.9 A) *

Maybe "V-C" through "vampire", maybe X-treme directly

- Charging PDA or GPS directly (5 v - 0.2 A)

Can "B-S", X-treme

- Charging a PDA or GPS with a lithium battery through the Vampyrchik converter (5 v - 0.2-0.3 A)

Can "B-C" andX-treme, but most likely with problems (due to "Vampire")

Charging 2 AA batteries (4.5-5 v - 0.4-2.4 A)

All can,SCN »slowest of all

Work from the solar battery directly with walkie-talkies of the type "Berkut" (11 v - 0.55-1 A)

Can X-treme and probably "SCN »

... I thought, thought ... and in the end I still chose a battery from "DCA": despite the incident with "corrosion", I officially ordered a new battery (taking into account the shortcomings of the first version) - the "multi-plate" idea is painfully attractive, and characteristics.

What else is left to add? Three, in my opinion, important things that should not be forgotten:

Firstly, if you are taking a SB on a hike, be sure to buy a small multimeter (such "kids" are sold inexpensively at "V-S", see the site). Even as a guru with a trained eye, you will never know exactly how much current is in this moment gives your battery. This is important if you are using complex devices, and not just charging primitive "AA".

Secondly, do not try to get a good current on a cloudy day. Even if it seems to you that there is enough lighting, do not believe your eyes, such small SBs really work only with the sun!

And thirdly, even with the sun spreading the SB horizontally (on the grass) or under different angles(on the Taimen deck, for example), don't flatter yourself. The photocells must all be equally rotated and perpendicular to the sun. The current from the SB is equal to the smallest from the plates - therefore, if one is dirty, incorrectly deployed or obscured by something, you will get a fig from the entire battery.

Good luck with the solbat!….

Alternative chargers

Manual drive for the strong in spirit…J

I have not tested these devices. But to complete the picture, it is necessary to identify the topic.

We all know that you can charge our little things mechanically. For example, I have a Chinese lantern of the “buzzer” type - guano, of course, but with a practical idea that my compatriots did not reach their minds: by buzzing a little, you can rest your hand, because the energy accumulates in a buffer battery, and the diodes shine quite well from this thing.

In the same vein, in a fragile design (and from the same g ...., I even recognized the wheels, and with the same drive J) the simplest “dynamka” was made for charging mobile phones and (possibly) similar Emergency devices: http: / /www.obzori.ru/mobile_devices/analytics/mobile_charger_for_cell_phone.html

Plus: lightness, compactness, cheapness, a lot of attachments; but it doesn't seem to last long.

Q-Mac QM8035 (QM8028) speakers belong to the same family: http://www.atlink.ru/www/kv/ups/mb.html These are reliable devices originally intended for the military, but the question of ordering them and price might be a problem. In addition, the weight (3.5 kg) is clearly not for our modest goals ... J

From the fire

... There is such an interesting thing - getting electricity from heat. In a scientific way - a thermal current generator. You heat a pot of water on fire, and at this time a mobile phone is charging, or something else ... And from a liter of water you can get up to 12 volts and a decent amount of amperes! It would be interesting to try...

Alas, this part of the ballet remained uncovered - for the simple reason that the device that I wanted to purchase is no longer produced, and the manufacturer’s immediate plans are off the agenda ... Therefore, a very interesting approach to obtaining energy from fire was covered with a copper basin ... or rather, aluminum pot… J

Household thermal converters, unfortunately, are unprofitable, because the tourist niche is small, and not every tourist will buy ...

* For reference: to charge the batteries inside the Berkut radios, you need an unstabilized 12V adapter (the current is optimal about 200mA, but the charge will go both at 12Vx100mA and at 12Vx500mA. If the adapter is too powerful, for example, an unstabilized 12Vx1000mA, then you can only charge the radio in the off state).

If the power supply is stabilized, then to charge the battery. inside the B601m2t you need a voltage of 12V, inside the B803 - 15V.

** I drew the attention of CB "Berkut" - this is the second case of separation of the vein connecting the board and the connector BNC . With any, even the slightest turn of the connector (and it is by no means screwed tightly, and is subject to vibrations or twists when working with non-standard antennas), the hard-soldered vein will always come off! The connection between the central core of the connector and the board must be flexible. Sergey Slinkin assured me that from this year all connections are only flexible.

Many amenities in residential and domestic buildings depend on electricity. However, power outages are not uncommon in cities and suburbs. For settlements remote from civilization, the problem is all the more urgent - sometimes it is simply impossible to conduct an electrical network there. In such cases, the question of independent current generation becomes acute.

Autonomous power supply is able to provide buildings with energy in the right amount. In this case, there is no short circuits, voltage stability is observed, emergency situations practically do not occur. The connection of such equipment is not as complicated as that dependent on common networks and often pays off in a shorter time.

Choosing a personal source of electricity - a responsible occupation requiring the study of nuances. This is especially true when the system is made by hand.