How Do I Compare the Quality of Solar-Rechargeable AA Batteries?
Solar battery chargers make it possible to keep your electronic devices charged without the use of conventional energy sources. Three available AA battery types that are rechargeable using a solar charger are nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH), nickel-cadmium (NiCad) and rechargeable alkaline. Quality-comparison criteria for these batteries include recharge cycles, capacity, and performance in high-drain appliances, Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Evaluate the recharge cycles of the batteries---the number of times a battery can be recharged to full power. Most rechargeable alkaline batteries can be recharged between 50 and 100 times; nickel-metal-hydride are capable of more than 100 cycles; the longest-lasting, nickel-cadmium, will take up to 1,000 recharges.
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Consider each battery's current capacity rating---how long it may take for a battery to discharge. It's measured in milliamp hours, mAh, and determined by multiplying the amount of current the battery feeds into an electrical circuit, in milliamperes, by the amount of time the battery is able to provide that current. Rechargeable alkaline batteries start off strong with about a 2,000 mAh rating, but weaken after the first few recharges. Nickel-cadmium range from 600 to 1000 mAh, and nickel-metal-hydride batteries rate highest at 1300 to 2900 mAh.
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Determine the best battery for your application. Digital cameras, recording equipment and other high-drain devices require more energy for a longer period of time than, say, flashlights. Long-lasting nickel-metal-hydride batteries will power these devices for the longest time without the interruption of recharging, with nickel cadmium second, and rechargeable alkaline a distant third. If you're headed into an extended situation where you'll need to recharge every day, however, such as a wilderness expedition, you might find it better to rely on the extra recharge cycles available to NiCads.
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