How to charge AA batteries with solar power.
Want to know how to charge AA batteries with solar power?
Method 1: Slower but cheaper
You will need
A USB powered battery charger
A solar powered power bank
Method 2: Faster but more expensive
You will need
A USB powered battery charger
A solar panel with USB output
Method 1:
How to charge AA batteries with solar power.
Two step method using a power bank
Step 1: – Charge up a portable power bank with its small foldable solar panel. Charging could take from one day to a few days, depending on how much direct sunlight it gets and how strong is the sun.
Step 2: – Attach your USB battery charger to a portable power bank to charge your AA or AAA batteries. The charging rate is comparable to charging from the mains.
You can also use the power bank to charge a mobile phone or tablet.
CHARGE IN THE SHADE NOT IN THE SUN
You could charge the AA batteries while the power bank is charging with solar power. However, this will severely reduce the life of its internal lithium battery.
Method 2:
How to charge AA batteries with solar power.
One step method using a solar panel with USB output
Attach your USB battery charger to a solar panel with USB output to charge your AA or AAA batteries. The charging rate is comparable to charging from the mains.
PLACE THE CHARGER IN THE SHADE NOT IN THE SUN
You can also use the solar panel to charge a power bank, mobile phone or tablet.
Not only will the larger solar panel charge the power bank charge faster on sunny days. But also, the larger solar panel will charge it on cloudy days or in low light when the small solar panel won’t work.
MAKE SURE WHATEVER YOU ARE CHARGING IS IN THE SHADE.
The closer the device is to the bottom edge of the solar panel, the more chance it stays in the shade.
You can charge other devices by USB or USB-C with a larger solar panel.
This LED lantern is also a power bank with one USB output, another way to save your solar power for rainy days.
Interested in charging your batteries and devices by solar power?
A few things I have invested in recently to make my photography more sustainable by charging my batteries and phone by solar power. (with affilate links)
Jackery SolarSaga 100W Portable Solar Panel
Foldable solar panel with two output ports
1 USB-C (5V, 3A) + 1 USB-A (5V, 2.4A)
To charge USB or USB- C chargable devices. Tablets, mobiles, batteries.
NOT WATERPROOF !!
Quite big but foldable
Click on photo to see latest price on Amazon.
EBL 807 Battery Charger for NiMH/NiCD 1 - 4 AA AAA Rechargeable Batteries
USB battery charger to charge 1 – 4 AA or AAA batteries
You can connect this directly to above the solar panel or to a power bank
Click on photo to see latest price on Amazon.
Solar Charger 26800mAh Power Bank with 4 Foldable Panels and 3 Outputs
Can be charged slowly with its own solar panels or faster with larger solar panel above or mains power via USB-C.
3 Outputs: 2 x USB-A + 1 USB-C
+ light
Click on photo to see latest price on Amazon
Solar Charger 25000mAh Power Bank with 4 Foldable Panels and 2 Outputs
Can be charged slowly with its own solar panels or faster with larger solar panel above or mains power via USB-A.
2 Outputs: 2 x USB-A
+ light
Click on photo to see latest price on Amazon
Rechargeable 6 mode LED Lantern with 3600mAh Power Bank
Can be charged with large solar panel above or mains power via USB-A.
6 Mode lantern torch from end or lantern from side.
Output 1 USB-A
Click on photo to see latest price on Amazon.
Dual USB Battery Charger for Canon LP-E6, LP-E6N batteries
USB battery charger for Canon EOS 6D, 7D, 70D, 60D, 5D Mark III, 5D Mark II DSLR Cameras.
Batteries not included
PUT CHARGER IN THE SHADE BEHIND SOLAR PANEL
Click on photo to see latest price on Amazon.
