I started a thread about AA's without seeing this one. I apologize for the duplication.

I bought a solar panel charger from Harbor Freight, go to the website and use item number 41427-2VGA to view it. It cost $12. It charges by solar using various attachments and also charges two AA batteries in the back.

I am going to strip one of attachments and solder a USB connection to it so that I can charge my cell phone and iPod which both have USB connecting wires currently used with my laptop. When I do this I will post my findings.

Its a cheap but sturdy unit and if in the end I can only charge AA's then with the year round sun in Arizona, I will still make out well.

Most solar chargers are not smart chargers. To get a long lifespan from batteries you want to be careful to charge at a good rate, don't over charge, and don't under charge, the majority of solar chargers do not have any mechanism to do any of those.

I saw that voltaic backback mentioned above but it has a lithium ion battery so remember to fator in replacement battery cost every 3-4 years as lithium ion won't last 10 years like an nimh.

How are we defining "solar charger"?

What I use is a Powerfilm RA-3b, a four AA unit that takes a 12 volt input from, in my case, a 6.5W solar panel.

That charger looks a lot like a MAHA so its might be a decent one. What most people consider solar charegrs are ones that have the panel built in, this apears to be a standard 12v input charger.

Interesting. Before it got the Powerfilm RA-3b label, it was marketed as the MH-C204GT Smart Charger. I agree re the solar panels that have built in chargers, I had one from Brunton that was useless.

I just looked at the La Crosse Technology BC-900 AlphaPower Battery Charger and the Maha Powerex MH-C9000 WizardOne Charger-Analyzer. While they look great for wall plug applications, can either be connected to a solar panel?

204 is a maha model number, its a 4 slot but charges in pairs. The picture of the RA-3b looks like it has 4 leds so that makes me think its a MAHA 401 (4 channel charger).

There is nothing preventing any charger from being connected to a solar panel, you can connect anything you want, you don't have to buy a "solar charger".

So I can buy a Maha MH-C9000 and connect it to my 25 W solar panel -- cool. How does it work when the panel puts out 1500mA and the charger is looking for 2000mA?


Or is that a max amperage and the idea would be to charge at a slower rate?

You do have to make sure the panel can provide enough current for whatever load your running, charger or otherwise. Reemeber that 25w panel is usually a ideal conditions measurement which you may never see in the real world.

Simple, don't charge at 2000 mA. Your batteries will thank you for that.

Missed this thread. Eneloops appear identical to Maha's new Immedion line.

So it looks like the Maha MH-C9000 and the La Crosse Technology BC-900 are both excellent, but while the Maha unit will take a 12V input straight from the solar panel, the La Crosse takes a 3V input.


That alone pushes me toward the Maha for solar applications. Too bad it's so big.