DIY: The SunCat Solar Rechargeable Battery

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Doug Gunzelmann in DIY, Gear+Gadgets

Knut Karlsen constructed his very own solar rechargeable batteries that can sit out in the light and convert the suns rays into stored power. He has documented this DIY project to create the prototype SunCat battery.

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“The batteries should just bask in the sun like a cat and left for a while, in a sunny window, they would slowly recharge.”

Solar charges meant to juice up your battery powered gadgets, like the Solio, have been on the market for years. Turns out Knut has some connections at the Institute for Energy Technology or IFE (very convenient contacts!) where he was able to procure some flexible solar cells. This may be a slight hiccup in materials for a quick DIY home project but never the less flexible solar cells, or Photo Voltaics, are on the market in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and prices.

Knut attached the solar cells (which were already the correct dimensions) to old rechargeable NiMH batteries. The cells are rated at 1.8V and the batteries at 1.5V, which is acceptable.

Next, he used contacts from an old camera to connect the negative pole to the photo voltaic cells with the help of a conductive silver pen to finish the connection.

This type of charging arrangement is called a trickle charger and works by slowly charging the battery. They can be left charging in this way indefinately without over loading the battery. However, this is the slowest form of charging a battery.

Sources: Bare Knut Blog

Tags:

batteries, charger, DIY, Gadgets, solar, Technology

11 Responses to “ DIY: The SunCat Solar Rechargeable Battery ”

Bart Mitchell

18. Feb, 2009

Very slick idea. He should market reusable sleeves. I bet he would make a killing.

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z

18. Feb, 2009

lll

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MRme

18. Feb, 2009

interesting idea but what are you doing to keep from overcharging and killing the battery

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Doug

19. Feb, 2009

@ MRME

“This type of charging arrangement is called a trickle charger and works by slowly charging the battery. They can be left charging in this way indefinately without over loading the battery. However, this is the slowest form of charging a battery.”

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Uncle B

19. Feb, 2009

A new product, soon to come manufactured in China,cheap enough for all to enjoy, complete with circuitry to prevent over-charge! Love it, batteries we never have to throw away! It will kill the disposable battery makers and may help us get off grid, a good thing, as the (GRD) great republican depression tightens our belts, and cuts down on our disposable incomes. We need more survival items like this to ensure some quality in our lives as the neo-cons, bankers, swindlers, shylocks and shysters have their way with our money. Good, renewable stuff, just love Solar energy!

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Andrew

19. Feb, 2009

But wouldn’t leaving the batteries out in the sun make them hot and likely to explode?

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Live

25. Apr, 2009

so wat do u need to make it…?
i’m doing a project on it….
i think it doesn’t say….

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Luan Do ( deaf )

12. May, 2009

Type your comment here…

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Sites linking to this post:

Make your own solar rechargeable batteries - SlipperyBrick.com

18. Feb, 2009

[...] [Greenupgrader] TAGS: Batteries, DIY, mod, Rechargeable, solar [...]

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The SunCat Solar Rechargeable Battery | Solar Energy Dream

18. Feb, 2009

[...] batteries as you need. For the full set of steps on how to make these you can head over to GreenUpgrader. More pictures are available [...]

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Направи си сам – батерии, които се зареждат от слънцето | GreenTech-BG

22. Feb, 2009

[...] на Knut Karlsen SunCat batteries най-напред при нашите приятели от greenupgrader.com Ако тази публикация ви е харесала, гласувайте за нея [...]

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