Subj : Re: Solar TV Battery Test To : Barry Martin From : Nancy Backus Date : Fri Feb 14 2020 00:23:04 -=> Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 07-Feb-2020 08:57 <=- BM>> In a word: failed. Also have to add there are a lot of known details BM>> working against. The project could work, just not here conveniently. NB>> Well, at least now you know... :) BM> True. LIS later in that reply or in an interim message the only BM> window here without the UV Block that gets Sun is the one in the BM> basement. Now can get to it (clean-up project coming along!), BM> workbench a bit crowded -- will hold off a little longer as no big rush BM> and keep things focused. Probably just as well to try to stay focused... and theoretically, when you finish your workbench cleanup, you'll still have access to that window... ;) BM> Even if the power failed right now there are BM> three batteries available which should run over three hours each. Not BM> planning on keeping that many charged: one is the battery from the UPS BM> that failed because the second battery was bad. Second is from a UPS BM> right now is a spare (not for too much longer!), and the third was a BM> spare/replacement battery. So for now, you have plenty of backup anyway... :) BM>> Several problems with the test setup: BM>> -- The window has 'UV Block'. So do all the other windows in the BM>> house except for the ones in the basement. NB>> That will do it... all on its own... means that the solar charging NB>> isn't going to get through... Richard had a similar problem with NB>> using a security camera at church... the UV and IR blocks on the newer NB>> windows are useful for some things, but not for cameras in the IR NB>> range and charging from the UV range.... :) BM> For every action there is an opposite reaction! ...Could set up BM> outside -- temporary would probably be dealing with freezing BM> conditions and burst batteries. Running wires to inside -- has BM> possibilities. That sounds like a warmer weather type of experiment, though.... BM>> Didn't try outside: warm enough today but in winter quite possible BM>> well below freezing, could freeze and therefore break the battery. BM>> Solar cell outside, run wires to inside.... Thinking this is more of a BM>> now-emergency than something planned and semi-permanent. NB>> And might be that you'd do better to test that aspect come later NB>> spring through summer and early fall.... In warmer weather, you NB>> could try doing it just through the screen... I'd think that you'd NB>> also need to protect it from the elements... BM> Hmmm: now that's a possibility! Thanks! At this point not sure if the BM> solar charger is sufficiently weather resistant to stay outside BM> permanently.... Something else to get more data on in the meantime... :) BM>> So appears the throw-it-together solar charging isn't going to work BM>> here. Do want to state I think solar works, just needs to be outside BM>> and properly aligned. The manual for this little portable critter BM>> even says may need to realign 10ø. Will discontinue the solar charger BM>> option; will have to semi-plan ahead and maintain a battery or two to BM>> be charged a different way, right now electricity. NB>> For now, it's good you have other options... ;) BM> And now re-open later for the between the screen and window BM> consideration. May end up simply maintaining a battery on electricity BM> -- the battery I snagged from the UPS (the other battery had failed) BM> also appears to be slightly damaged (or maybe just because older) and BM> doesn't seem to hold a charge quite as well as the other two BM> batteries. Does hold a charge for at least a couple of weeks.... Just need to keep them charged regularly so that they'd be available in case of need.... :) BM>> ... Useless Invention: Solar powered night light. NB>> Not necessarily useless... if it can store up enough during the day NB>> when the sun is shining, it could last the night as a night light.. ;) NB>> After all, that's what those solar lights that one puts along the NB>> sidewalk or driveway do... soak in the power during the day, and when NB>> it gets dark, shine the lights.... BM> Right: when working I had in my pocket a small flashlight where the BM> coin cell battery inside was recharged by a small solar panel. That BM> also barely recharged through the window because of the UV Block. I BM> had purchased three or four -- inexpensive and gave one or two away. BM> Still have two: theoretically alike but one somewhat charges inside BM> (dim) and the other not at all. Outside both charge to full BM> brightness. Maybe the coin cell batteries need replacing....? I have a small calculator that has the solar cell panels on the front... it seems to work either in good light or not so, so obviously it also has a battery internally... But I'm sure the solar feature would keep the internal one from going bad so quickly... :) ttyl neb .... Behind every good computer - is a jumble of cables! --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F * Origin: Tiny's BBS - http://www.tinysbbs.com (454:1/452) .