AA battery charger from 12v supply

[Fascadale]

Hi

I'm off to the boat next week for what I hope is going to be 3 glorious weeks on the West Coast.

Problem....... there are, fortunately, few places with power hook-ups so no 240v chargers.

so...... is there a battery charger that would run off the 12v system through a cigar lighter socket that would top up my rechargeables.


AA batteries mainly used for iPod speakers, as a backup for the main handheld VHF battery, the hand held GPS( seldom used) and the occasional torch

I like the idea of being self sufficient in battery terms, the diposable ones are ridiculously expensive and its not very green to have to be chucking them.

I've looked at the Maplins site but didn't see anything suitable. But then I probably missed it.

Thanks in advance

 

[Vara]

You missed it;
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?TabID=1&ModuleNo=45809&doy=27m6

 

[Csail]

Why not get an inverter, cheap now and good for other gadgets. Think what you may need on board and get a wattage to suit (lower the better)

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=inverter&source=15&SD=Y

 

[Csail]

colmce idea is kinder to the boat batteries must admit.

 

[MoodySabre]

or this
http://www.studentcomputers.co.uk/aa-battery-charger/aa-battery-charger.htm

 

[KenMcCulloch]

Dear Ockle
There are quite a few suppliers who offer rechargeable battery chargers that will run off 12v DC. For example
http://www.eurobatteries.com/sitepages/description2.asp?id=1666&cat=Battery%20Chargers
Have a good sail.
Cheers.

 

[Fascadale]

Thanks to all for the info and advice, much appreciated.

Paul

 

[pteron]

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=102045

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=102044

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=102043

etc etc /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif All way cheaper than Maplin.

 

[dedwards]

We have the "30 Minute Ultra-Fast NiMH Charger" from maplins. This comes with 12v adaptor and adaptors for worldwide mains sockets. it really is a v good charger as (unlike a lot of chargers) it healthchecks and charges each battery separately. We got this cause we thought our cheaper charger had broken but it turned out that one of our batteries was faulty and was stopping the charge going into the other batteries.

 

[pappaecho]

You can also use a Solar Garden light as a charger as they have 1.2 rechargeable cells inside. At this time of the year, a daylights worth is enough to charge up a 1600 ma battery.

 

[pteron]

[ QUOTE ]
We have the "30 Minute Ultra-Fast NiMH Charger" from maplins.

[/ QUOTE ]

£34.99 from Maplin....
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=45798&&source=14&doy=search

and £12.99 from 7dayshop!
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=101059

 

[dedwards]

fair dinkum.

Though the maplin one does come with batteries so that offsets the extra a bit.

 

[VicMallows]

Just make your own!. Battery holders for 4 AA cells for instance are available from MAPLIN for about 50p. Work out the aproximate charge current. For instance 1800mAH cells will need about 200mA for 10 hours. For 4cells in series you will need to drop about 6v, so you will need a series resistor of about 33ohm with 2w rating. Rig it up and measure the current with a basic multimeter. You can then either adjust the resitor value; or adjust the charge time.

Vic