Portable battery pack and using a a solar panel

**M6SOE** · Tue 15th Mar 2011, 13:25

Can anyone identify the battery pack in this video? Is it available in the UK?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCuGf21tGSc

Also I am wondering about how easy it is to charge such a battery pack with a small solar panel (one of those that used for keeping a car battery topped up - normally used on top of car dash board.

**5B4AJB** · Wed 16th Mar 2011, 00:37

It's easy, just use a blocking diode on the array (if there isn't one built in already)
If your panel is like my car charger, then there is a diode. I replaced it for a Shottky, which has less loss.

Using an '7805 to provide a steady output Voltage is a nice gadget, a bit wasteful of energy, but it is free after all.

Back to the battery pack in question, it just looks like a load of A-type cells in heatshrink, nothing complicated here, should cost you about £40 to knock one up.
Don't forget to put a diode on the pack, a fuse is a nice idea too...

**AE6ZW** · Mon 6th Jun 2011, 15:57

in the video it says NIMH battery pack, it seems like it is about size D cells in shrink wrap , may be 10 of them to get 12 V ? most of size D NIMH cell has about 10 AH, and they have high current capacity. also I found battery pack made for radio control Sub C cell pack, are useful . most SUB C cell has 4 AH capacity and they are often made to supply 10 A or more. you can get SUB C pack either made for RC or Paintball Gun from 6 cell to 10 cells. I put 2 of standard 6 cell in series. here in US they are about $20 for pack of 6 cells. try store sell radio control car, etc.

**5B4AJB** · Tue 7th Jun 2011, 20:36

Check out your local P.C. shop, ask for dead laptop batteries, they usually have only 1 or 2 dead cells in the packs.

Best I've had so far were NIMH 4.2V 4AH each cell (I think), be careful how much you charge them though or they won't last long...