I have a flashlight/radio that works on solar power but the instructions don’t say how long it takes to charge or how long a charge will last. Anybody know?
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Read the volt input specs of the flashlight. Generally, the normal flashlights takes 2-3 hours to charge. Since it is solar, it should be somewhere around 5 hours or less.
It depends on the capacity of the batteries being charged and the output of the small charging panel.
If the radio has sat for any length of time in a warehouse, the batteries may not be any good. Finding replacements can be tough for some combinations.
If the radio sits in the sunlight all day, the batteries should achieve a nearly full charge under ideal conditions.
How long the charge will last depends on the battery condition. How long to go before recharging? depends on how you intend to use the radio.
If you want to optimize the batteries performance- charge the batteries in one full day of sun. Keep the radio out of the sun, and use the radio until the batteries do not have the power to keep the radio playing. Then set it out in the sun to charge. A full day. Do this for about 7 to 10 charge cycles. Then you can safely store the charged radio for a month. When you take it out again, run the radio until the batteries are dead, Only then- put it out in the sun light to charge.
If you do not do it this way, the batteries capacity gets limited to just a short “on cycle” (Memory) and will not hold much capacity. The batteries need to be conditioned initially to charging, so you will see longer play times after about the 10th charge cycle. Do not apply charge to the batteries in a partially charged state as that is where memory begins to get burned into the battereis.
Nicads are usually good for about 400 charge cycles before they lose capacity. I have been able to get NiCads to last in service for even 10 years from their manufacture.in many applications. If you take care of them, you can get more than just 400 cycles. If you do not take care of them, don’t evpect to get even 400 charge cycles.