The power/solar/batteries/generator thread

[funkfool]

What about this one?
It has AM/FM plus NOAA weather and is a base station for 2 way...

Or even better...
I was going to get some 2 way radios anyway...
http://www.ambientweather.com/micombo101kit.html

[ChunkyMonkey]

Mixed review.. most of the bad ones are about its ruggedness or lack of.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...MAI&os=reviews

[jerrymrc]

I would get the Kato and then a set of GRMS radios. I have 3 currently. There are both pros and cons of them over CB. So lets talk flashlights/rechargibles/batteries.

Chargers. We have this, http://www.amazon.com/C-Crane-SBC-11.../dp/B001BKS3Z2 this http://www.amazon.com/volt-battery-c...ref=pd_sbs_e_4 and some others like this. http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Powered-.../ref=de_a_smtd

The second one can be had cheap at Harbor Freight.

They do work but are very slow. As I remember a full day for a couple of AA cells. Once again something is better than nothing. Also for AA and AAA you can pick up old solar path lights at garage sales and charge 1-2 per day depending on the model. Some are more useful than others with options. The one with the clips is handy because you can leave the batteries in the radio and just use the clips to charge them in place.

One thing to think about is versatility. I use almost all 2000-2700 mAh AA and use adapters to fit C/D cell applications. Many of the C/D cells are nothing more than a AA in a bigger body so if you are going to get screwed you might as well do it to yourself.

So far we have been talking about rechargeable batteries and solar. Lets back up a bit and regular chargers. If you are using one of those 15 min fast chargers unless you have an overriding need please get rid of it. you trade speed for battery life. I like the La crosse battery chargers. The early ones have been improved and a good starter set would be this. http://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Technol...ref=pd_sbs_e_5

It has variable charging rates, recondition features and the kit comes with a few cells and adapters. I have been using mine for 4 months now and like it. It is not solar powered but since it takes a 3V input I plan to change that. Some thoughts for now. More later.

[Irving]

Jerry, does it harm rechargeable batteries to leave them in the charger, and the charger in the wall socket for an extended amount of time? Like a week?

[jerrymrc]

Jerry, does it harm rechargeable batteries to leave them in the charger, and the charger in the wall socket for an extended amount of time? Like a week?

Depends on the charger. Some are just on a timer and shut off, some provide a very small trickle charge to keep them at 100%. Of the three chargers I have two shut off completely and one trickles.

Of course you kept your owners manual and can refer to it? I will say that with my new one reading the manual is essential to getting the most out of the unit.

[Irving]

I inherited all of our chargers.

[jerrymrc]

I inherited all of our chargers.

Since I am the friendly Mod tell ya what. Post the make and model of them and I will look up the manual for ya. I can then read the manual and find out the information ya need.

[Irving]

That's okay, I could do that. I appreciate the offer though. I'll just unplug them.

However, do rechargeable batteries "drain" faster than regular ones once they are out of the charger? Seems like they do when they are just sitting inside my Wii remotes.

[jerrymrc]

That's okay, I could do that. I appreciate the offer though. I'll just unplug them.

However, do rechargeable batteries "drain" faster than regular ones once they are out of the charger? Seems like they do when they are just sitting inside my Wii remotes.

They should not. I am working on continuing this series with batteries next but have been busy with a certification test tomorrow. Stay tuned.

[SA Friday]

Considering all the hubbub about the east coast super storm and long term lack of power, I've started looking at generators. I don't know anything about generators, electricity, etc. My brother is a sparky and I rely on him for stuff like this.

So, the $64,000 questions are; What generators should I be looking at? How do people set them up to run their houses after the power goes out? Could this be done with a generator that is still portable enough for me to toss in the back of the truck if I it got so bad I needed to bug out? Basically, I need a crash course...