{"id":32819,"date":"2018-06-15T08:37:26","date_gmt":"2018-06-15T12:37:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=32819"},"modified":"2018-06-15T08:37:26","modified_gmt":"2018-06-15T12:37:26","slug":"steve-searches-for-a-usb-powered-battery-charger-for-solar-recharging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/steve-searches-for-a-usb-powered-battery-charger-for-solar-recharging\/","title":{"rendered":"Steve searches for a USB-powered battery charger for solar recharging"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, Steven Crawford, who writes with the following inquiry:<\/p>\n

[I’m searching for] good quality USB powered battery chargers for AA and D size rechargeable batteries.<\/p>\n

Wall outlet chargers are common but quality USB powered battery chargers appear much less common…less common than the packable solar panels with USB ports such as Anker\u2019s, that could be used to power them. Ideally the charger should handle Nicad\u2019s, NIMH and Ii-on but have standardized on AA, AA + D adapter sleeves, and D batteries for my storm supplies.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If I understand correctly, you’re searching for a good qualityUSB-powered battery charger that supports multiple battery chemistries (nickel-cadmium, NIMH and lithium ion) so you can recharge AA, AAA and D batteries with a portable solar panel.<\/p>\n

I’m hoping SWLing Post<\/em> readers can offer some suggestions.<\/p>\n

I’ve also looked into this type of charger for both Ears To Our World<\/a> and my own personal use when off-grid in the summer<\/a>. I’ve never found one that truly supports all of the battery chemistries you mentioned. The one I’ve used (an EBL) works quite well, but only supports NiMH AA and AAA batteries. As you mentioned, you can use D cell sleeves with the AAs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

EBL makes a number of USB chargers that can be found by searching Amazon<\/a>. This one–an EBL Quick Charger (affiliate link)<\/a>–can recharge NiMH batteries within 40 minutes and I’ve personally used one. I’ve been pleased with EBL batteries as well.<\/p>\n

I never use nickel cadmium rechargeable batteries at this point, so really don’t know what’s available on the market.<\/p>\n

I have found that there are a number of USB-powered lithium battery chargers, but typically for specific lithium cell configurations like 18650, 16340, 14500, 26650, etc. Some of these inexpensive chargers have magnetic contacts that can fit almost any battery type and on Amazon and eBay they claim to recharge multiple battery chemistries, but frankly I’m quite skeptical. These $9 devices don’t seem to have a way of detecting battery chemistry, thus I’m not sure how they would adjust the charging cycle accordingly. Perhaps I’m incorrect in this assumption?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Other than using Powerfilm solar NiMH battery chargers (I can recommend these)<\/a> which are incorporated in their folding panels, I’ve never charged batteries directly<\/em> from a solar panel. Typically I have a 9ah or larger 12V battery floating between the PV panel and the charger.<\/p>\n

I’ve found that using a 12VDC charger–like this<\/a>–that’s pulling power from a 12V battery is simply a little more efficient, faster and reliable than charging directly from a small PV panel. Since I always have 12V batteries on hand when off grid, it’s a simple solution for for my system.<\/p>\n

Post<\/em> readers:<\/strong> do you have any USB-powered battery charging suggestions for Steven? Please comment!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Steven Crawford, who writes with the following inquiry: [I’m searching for] good quality USB powered battery chargers for AA and D size rechargeable batteries. Wall outlet chargers are common but quality USB powered battery chargers appear much less common…less common than the packable solar panels with USB ports such […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4199,3,553],"tags":[486,2175,484,5031,6042,7119,6043],"class_list":["post-32819","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-accessories","category-news","category-preparedness","tag-batteries","tag-off-grid-radio","tag-rechargeable-batteries","tag-steven-crawford","tag-usb","tag-usb-battery-chargers","tag-usb-power"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-8xl","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":16683,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/the-eco-usbcell-a-lipo-aa-usb-rechargeable-cell\/","url_meta":{"origin":32819,"position":0},"title":"The Eco USBcell: a LiPo AA USB rechargeable cell","author":"Thomas","date":"January 9, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Steven Crawford, who writes: Avid follower of your SWL Blog and site. I saw these and thought your followers may find these AA and AAA lithium ion USB rechargeable cells may be of interest as they are limited to 1.5 volts. I'm interested for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"EcoUSBCell","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/EcoUSBCell.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1396,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2011\/08\/throw-away-ac-adapters-invest-in-rechargeables\/","url_meta":{"origin":32819,"position":1},"title":"Throw away AC adapters, invest in rechargeables","author":"Thomas","date":"August 10, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"I receive a lot of emails from readers and listeners who are new to shortwave radio. The bulk of the emails I receive ask for advice about which radio to pick for travel, for home, or for work. A lot of emails, however, are from listeners who wish to improve\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Batteries-300x163.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":57107,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2023\/06\/guest-post-here-come-the-lithiums\/","url_meta":{"origin":32819,"position":2},"title":"Guest Post: Here Come the Lithiums","author":"Thomas","date":"June 27, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post\u00a0contributor,\u00a0Bob Colegrove, who shares the following: Power Play \u2013 Here Come the Lithiums by Bob Colegrove I have belonged to several radio-oriented user groups in recent years and can\u2019t help noticing how often the subject of batteries comes up.\u00a0 It\u2019s almost a sub-hobby within the hobby.\u00a0\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Fig-2.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Fig-2.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Fig-2.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11031,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/10\/transceivers-portables-and-foldable-solar-panels-our-virtual-radio-challenge-ii-responses\/","url_meta":{"origin":32819,"position":3},"title":"Transceivers, portables and foldable solar panels: our Virtual Radio Challenge II responses","author":"Thomas","date":"October 14, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Three weeks ago, I posted a virtual challenge for\u00a0SWLing Post readers: \u00a0your opportunity to piece together the best, innovative $1200 (US) radio kit you might\u00a0pack for two years in the remote off-grid village of Laya, Bhutan. You were tasked to track down\u00a0a radio kit\u00a0that would keep you in touch with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Laya-Bhutan-Location-Wikipedia","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Laya-Bhutan-Location-Wikipedia.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9736,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/an-inexpensive-battery-charger-for-the-tecsun-pl-880\/","url_meta":{"origin":32819,"position":4},"title":"An inexpensive battery charger for the Tecsun PL-880","author":"Thomas","date":"May 26, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Steven, for sharing this very affordable battery charger for the\u00a0Tecsun PL-880 batteries. Steven writes: \"I never purchased a stand-alone 18650 battery charger for my Tecsun PL880 radio because I felt the in-radio on wasn't good enough. With several batteries it became a bit more\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"UltrafireFlashlight-and-BatteryCharger","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/UltrafireFlashlight-and-BatteryCharger-300x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":49881,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/wanted-quality-18650-3-7v-rechargeable-cells\/","url_meta":{"origin":32819,"position":5},"title":"Wanted: Quality 18650 3.7V rechargeable cells","author":"Thomas","date":"August 6, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Hansgen, who recently mentioned that he's on the hunt for quality 18650 Li-Ion cells. Like Mike, I've a number of shortwave portables that use 18650 cells, so I understand where he's coming from: he'd like 18650 cells that are both safe and have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/18650-batteries-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/18650-batteries-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/18650-batteries-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32819","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32819"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32819\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32819"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32819"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32819"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}