Batteries

If you are into alternative energy sources and interests check out this fascinating blog at Alternative Energy... it has the stated aim to give [and I quote]:-

"news, views and strong opinions on alternate energy resources including solar energy, wind power, wave energy, geothermal & other renewable energy sources + news on other energy issues including the end of cheap gas & oil, plug-in hybrid cars, rising fuel prices, "clean" coal & nuclear power"

You are bound to find something of interest, something to inform you... and most probably, if you read what large commercial concerns are doing, to infuriate you!

One question... in whose hands do you think the future of the planet is safe?

Labels: alternative energy, geothermal, solar powered, wind power

First let's consider solar lighting for our gardens...

Solar lighting is created by turning sunlight into energy. Energy is created as sunlight strikes a solar collector, and then it turns energy into an electrical current. This electrical current then sends this energy to a power supply, i.e. rechargeable batteries, which in turn energizes a lamp source [LED - type of tiny light bulb].

Some calculators have solar cells and never need batteries, and in some cases don't even have an off button. As long as you have enough light, they seem to work forever.

The idea that one day we will all use free electricity from the sun is an extremely seductive promise. One day, when technology allows, we could collect solar energy so that we could easily power our homes and offices for free [always assuming the corporate energy suppliers allow it]. But, to start with, solar lighting for your garden makes great sense as it is easy to install, has no wiring to install... and no electricity costs.

Solar lights are composed of:-
A plastic case
A solar cell on top
A single AA Nicad battery
A small controller board
An LED light source [a type of tiny light bulb]
And a photoresistor to detect darkness

***
Electricity for your home... from solar power...

Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity. The battery charge regulator controls the flow of electricity into and out of the battery bank. The energy flows into the batteries, and then to the inverter. As detailed in a previous post... "Inverters take DC power [battery or solar, for example] and convert it into AC "household" power for running electronic equipment and appliances."

The power conditioner [inverter] turns that electricity into a safe, ready-to-use form that flows through your home's electrical outlets. Excess energy is stored in the battery bank for later use.

A good source for more information for the more technically minded are...

Solar explained... a two page pdf.

Labels: inverter, solar battery charger, solar lighting, solar powered

Product recalls are in the news - keep up to date with all battery recall information at M D S

When you arrive at their Home page, see your choice of links at the top... you will see NEWS at the right-hand side of the list. Click NEWS and all the latest recall information will be displayed, together with:

* Details of new Ranges and Stock

* Their recycling service... details

* Sponsorships

* Their new address

* And details of their solar powered battery charger.

Labels: battery news, product recalls, solar powered battery charger

Note that the charge current depends upon the technology within, and the capacity of, the battery being charged. For example, the current that should be applied to recharge a 12 V car battery will be very different to the current for a mobile phone battery.

There are several types of Battery Charger...

First there is a simple charger... which works by connecting a constant DC power source to the battery being charged. The simple charger does not alter its output based on time of charging, or the charge on the battery. A simple charger will be inexpensive, but there is a tradeoff in quality. Typically, a simple charger takes longer to charge a battery to prevent severe over-charging. Even so, a battery left in a simple charger for too long can still be weakened or destroyed because it has been over-charged.

As the name suggests... a timer charger is stopped at a pre-determined time. Timer chargers were the most common type for Ni-Cd cells in the late 1990s. Often a timer charger and set of batteries could be bought as a bundle and the charger time was set to suit just that type of battery. Battery technology is increasing capacity year on year, so an old timer charger will only partly charge the newer batteries.

Intelligent chargers are supposed to monitor the battery's voltage, temperature and/or time under charge to determine the optimum charge current at that precise moment. So output current will depend upon the state of the battery. Charging is terminated when a combination of the voltage, temperature and/or time indicates that the battery is fully charged.

For Ni-Cd and NiMH batteries, the voltage over the battery increases slowly during the charging process, until the battery is fully charged. After that, the voltage decreases, which indicates to an intelligent charger that the battery is fully charged.

The VARTA-Rayovac group sell "15 minute" superfast chargers for special NiMH cells. What makes these chargers different is that the charging process isn't only controlled in the charger, but also in the cells themselves. The special 15 minute cells are typically rated at 2000/2100 mAh and contain control circuitry that makes such fast charging times possible without damaging the cells' elements. All of them are capable of acting as a standard overnight charger if used with standard NiMH cells that do not have the special control circuitry.

Battery chargers for mobile phones come in a wide variety of connector-styles and voltages, most of which are not compatible with other manufactuers' phones or even different models of phones from a single manufactuer. You will require your instructions again!

Inverters take DC power (battery or solar, for example) and convert it into AC "household" power for running electronic equipment and appliances. In selecting the right size inverter electricity usage has to be calculated.

For more information on battery chargers just... Click Here

Labels: battery charger, inverter, lithium ion, Ni-Cd, NiMH battery charger

Just a mention of some current thinking ...

First please note when you first start your batteries on charge they will feel cool. Then check during the charging process, once they begin to get hot they are at the end of an optimum charging cycle and are charged.

Some electronic engineers are of the opinion now that battery conditioning is not necessary. They also contend that the idea that one battery charger is better than another because it has a refresh button is false.

Which argument you believe is up to you!

If you are searching for battery chargers... I'm being boring and recommending the same supplier again... try M D S.

I'm really impressed with their service which is quick and efficient. They send you an email, with invoice attached, as soon as your order has been processed and you are informed when it has been despatched. Plus, in the unlikely event of an item not being in stock... you are kept informed.

[I must admit I haven't had to contend with an item not being in stock, my items have always been available for immediate despatch!]

Labels: battery charger, battery conditioning, electronic engineers

Battery powered vehicles are frequently in the news, together with other green issues, including solar cell improvement... these, and various other energy saving subjects - are covered in interesting detail on this fascinating blog... click here to visit The Energy Blog.


The following is an interesting article I found there...

"225 mpg XR-3 Plug-in Hybrid Kit


Robert Q. Riley Enterprises, LLC, in Glendale, Ariz., will introduce its XR-3 plug-in hybrid kit, a sleek two-passenger, three-wheel sports car that is expected to generate up to 225 miles per gallon and have a battery-only range of up to 40 miles, in June 2007.

Its clam-shell canopy and three-wheel platform boldly differentiates the XR-3 from conventional passenger cars. The vehicle’s hybrid power system, diesel engine, and low curb weight are the main ingredients of its super-high fuel economy and excellent performance. At just 1300 pounds, with acceleration equal to that of a conventional car and a maximum speed of 85 mph the XR-3 Hybrid is equally at home on freeways and surface streets.


Specifications
Seating Two, side-by-side
Wheelbase 88 inch
Track: 66 inch
Curb Weight 1300 lb
Height 43 inch

Driving on power from its diesel engine, the XR-3 can achieve fuel economy of 125 miles per gallon. However, when the diesel and electric power systems are combined in a hybrid driving mode, fuel economy can exceed 200 miles per gallon over an 80-mile trip.

A simple three-position switch allows the driver to select between battery-only, diesel-only and hybrid driving modes.

Designed to be assembled by someone with average mechanical abilities and no prior experience, the all-wheel drive vehicle will be available as a kit or plans for complete do-it-yourself construction.

No price for the kit was given, if you send an email to the address given here you can be notified of the "special" advance order price as soon as it is available."

Posted... March 20, 2007 at 07:29 PM in Plug-in Hybrids

http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/316957/17085310

Labels: battery powered vehicles, energy saving, fuel economy

The most often ignored part of any new 'toy' is the instructions!

Most new batteries MUST be charged for at least an uninterrupted 20 hour period. If you interrupt the first charge of your cell phone batteries or cell phone battery replacements... they will not last as long as they should.

Remember our previous advice concerning heat... keep away from heat sources, whether artificial like radiators, or natural like sunlight. Otherwise you are shortening the life of your cell phone batteries unnecessarily.

Your instructions will come in handy too, when finding out how often to condition your batteries... meaning completely draining and recharging your battery... as different types of battery need a different approach.

Your cell phone instructions should either give battery conditioning information, or give battery type information. So read the label on your instructions/owner's manual for battery information.

Nickel cadmium batteries should be conditioned monthly, whilst nickel metal hydride batteries should be conditioned once every three months.

You will find an extensive choice of batteries, combined with first class, speedy service at M D S

Labels: cell phone battery replacements, conditioning batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries

So you are looking for an iPod battery replacement?

Hard to find batteries are a speciality at MDS, although that speciality is first equal with their reputation for fast efficient service... so check their website both for useful information and for your iPod battery replacement... MDS

Information relating to how best to extend the life of your iPod battery is included below:-

"Apple, and other iPod makers, always use the best lithium ion battery technology which is available, and they use the leading battery manufacturers as suppliers. Using the best, most cost effective, battery technology to suit the requirements of the particular device you have, is best for both manufacturers and purchasers alike. All manufacturers want you to recommend their products and buy them on a regular basis.

Batteries should last most normal users for the life of the product, i.e., several years.

Apple's specifications specify a battery life of 10 hours for the 1st and 2nd generation iPod, 8 hours for the 3rd generation iPod and 1st generation iPod mini, 12 hours for the 4th generation iPod and iPod shuffle, 15 hours for iPod photo, 18 hours for the 2nd generation iPod mini, 14 hours for the iPod nano and 30GB iPod video, and 20 hours for the 60GB iPod video.

Many factors can, as discussed in a previous post, influence how long a particular battery lasts. Under good conditions, you should indeed get around the specified hours of battery life on a new iPod. This amount varies with age, usage style, and other factors, such as music encoding format, backlight use, etc.

Lithium ion batteries should be good for 300-500 charge/discharge cycles.

When possible, the best usage pattern - for any lithium ion battery - is a partial discharge, followed by recharging. A partial discharge can be anything less than a full discharge. However, an occasional full discharge is desirable to calibrate the battery.

An iPod can also safely be attached to external power for extended periods of time. If this done for weeks, or months, though the battery will be as if it were in 'storage'. Lithium ion batteries don't store well for extended periods of time at full charge.

If you will be storing your iPod for an extended period of time (i.e., weeks to months), it is recommended to store the unit in a cool place. The charge level doesn't matter, as the charge will be completely depleted after several days.

The worst case scenario is to store at full charge at a high temperature... never leave your iPod in a car, even vaguely warm days can see a frightening temperature increase in a car... and whilst we are on the subject of the temperature inside cars... can I please get on my high horse about dogs left in cars, even in cool temperatures the inside of a car can become extremely HOT!"

Labels: how to extend the life of your batteries, ipod batteries, iPod battery replacement

Digital cameras are improving at an exponential rate, and the battery performance is expected to improve in the near future.

Digital photography is becoming more and more popular, and the results obtained by professionals and amateurs alike are becoming comparable to those obtained by the best of film photographers.

The one downside to using a digital camera has been the battery life obtained.

What can you do as an amateur to extend battery life?

The easiest tip is to have some spare batteries. If you have a digital camera which uses plain alkaline standard size batteries, you can use rechargeable batteries AND carry some standard batteries with you as a backup.

Remember that rechargable batteries are ecologically friendly!

If your camera has its own rechargeable battery pack... buy an extra pack as a spare. [Please see our previous articles for storage and charging information.]

Erasing poor photographs to free up memory space uses power... a better solution is to keep an extra memory card with you.

Don't mix the different types of battery with each other... so keep NiMH, Lithium ion, and alkaline batteries separate.

Please see the following useful link for research and further information ... Google Scholar.

Should you be searching for hard to find specialist batteries I have found the ideal solution at MDS Batteries and with next day delivery you won't be kept waiting long!

Labels: camera battery, digital camera batteries, film, rechargable batteries, rechargeable batteries, spare batteries

Labels: computer battery, laptop batteries, notebook batteries

A few hints and tips to start off our blog... more detail will be added in the next post.

First, and most important, for any battery 'driven' item... a vital instruction. Do NOT leave spent batteries in your watch, camera, or even your torch, for any length of time. They can corrode and ruin the internal working of your item.

For the health of your actual batteries... keep them cool. If you take them out of your camera or whatever, store them in the fridge. Heat contributes radically to battery wear and tear.

New batteries for your mobile phone will have to be charged for the stipulated amount of time before use. Do NOT use them before they have completed the full amount of time charging which your instructions will clearly state.

Apart from the first full charge, it will be vital not to over-charge your batteries... you will need to check often as they are charging, and as soon as they are fully charged, remove them from your charger.

Charging on a little and often basis is, in most cases, the best way to conserve the life in your batteries.

[Links to our preferred battery supplier and to the extremely informative 'Dummies' books can be found in our left-hand margin.]

Labels: batteries, battery, corrode, over-charge

Welcome to our batteries blog. With details of how to source the correct battery, how to care for it... plus hints and tips to help you get more 'mileage' out of your batteries. And how to live a 'greener' life by conserving energy... plus check out solar power.

Labels: batteries, battery