Rechargeable batteries and their battery chargers are regarded as a bastion of eco awareness and a way to decrease energy consumption. Why are more and more government agencies around the world cracking down on battery chargers?

In a never-ending attempt to whittle down the world’s energy consumption, many energy agencies throughout the world continue to impose strict energy standards on electronic products. Perhaps the most pervasive energy agency in the world today is the United States’ Department Of Energy, which regulates energy consumption and standards for a wide range of power-consumption interests in the U.S.. Most notably, they have the power to impose standards on imported electronics’ power usage, which is turn forces manufacturers in Asia to tweak their electronics’ designs.

We’ve already reported on several recent moves by governing bodies in both Australia and the U.S. to regulate battery chargers. Most recently, the DOE passed a stringent set of new battery charger regulations that could severely affect the cost and design of battery chargers as we know them today. According to the NRDC, an environmental watchdog group, the new regulation will affect “products and gadgets such as cordless phones and cell phones, laptops, power tools, electric toothbrushes etc [that] use rechargeable batteries to support user mobility and convenience, making our lives easier, more productive and fun.” Continue reading ‘Government Energy Agencies Crack Down Again On Battery Chargers’

In a bid to capitalise on the green movement, or perhaps just trying to be cool, designers are creating more and more solar powered battery chargers for average consumers. But are these so-called “green” battery chargers serious electronics, or just a gimmick?

Last week, we outlined a new solar powered battery charger that seemed to offer some degree of serious charging for NiMH rechargeable batteries. Even on that model, which comes equipped with premium features tat you would find on a typical electricity-powered smart charger, we questioned its effectiveness. After all, it has been proven that battery chargers that run off of USB power don’t come close to charging as efficiently, evenly, and completely as a battery charger on AC power. If that’s the case, then how could solar power manage to effectively charge a NiMH rechargeable battery?

Well, it would appear that solar technology is slowly becoming a mainstream reality for battery chargers; it isn’t just for the hard core survivalist or outdoorsman.

Continue reading ‘More Solar-Powered Battery Chargers Pop Up, But Are They Just a Gimmick?’