The Solar AA Battery Charger

Solar AA battery charger units have been available for decades. In this time the technology has remained virtually unchanged. The concept is simple enough - the solar panel on the charger unit supplies the rechargeable batteries with a trickle of electricity when exposed to sunlight. If left in the charger for enough time, the batteries become recharged.

Buy A Quality Unit

As with all devices, you usually get what you pay for. Cheap solar chargers may be available for as little $15, paying slightly more should result in you obtaining a more robust unit that will last far longer and charge batteries more quickly than a cheap unit. Look for use of metal in the construction, and check the thickness and strength of the plastic used in the case. This is especially important around the battery bay as it will be subjected to frequent stresses.

Buy Your Own Batteries

Some solar aa battery chargers come with batteries supplied. These should be avoided, as the addition of batteries is simply an excuse for the manufacturers to charge more for the unit. The batteries supplied will usually not be the highest charge capacity available They are unlikely to be more than 2500 mAh per battery, and since it is not a good idea to mix battery capacities in the charger, you will be stuck with these inferior capacity batteries.

Top of the line rechargeable batteries can be bought just about anywhere and sometimes on special, so it makes sense to be able to check the rating of the batteries, in terms of mAh, before you purchase. It would be a waste of money, time and resources to end up with a collection of batteries that you quickly replace with superior models.