Posted: 3/20/2016 11:18:05 AM EDT
| What is the termination voltage you get while charging with your guide 10 plus? I am getting only about 1.25v max. |
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What is the termination voltage you get while charging with your guide 10 plus? I am getting only about 1.25v max. I've got a Guide 10 Plus but I have no idea how to tell what the termination voltage is. I don't think I've heard the term since my computer days. Tell me how to tell and I'll see what it is for you. |
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I've got a Guide 10 Plus but I have no idea how to tell what the termination voltage is. I don't think I've heard the term since my computer days. Tell me how to tell and I'll see what it is for you. Quoted:
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What is the termination voltage you get while charging with your guide 10 plus? I am getting only about 1.25v max. I've got a Guide 10 Plus but I have no idea how to tell what the termination voltage is. I don't think I've heard the term since my computer days. Tell me how to tell and I'll see what it is for you. Just do a fresh charge on a set of batteries and see what voltage reads on each battery. If you have eneloops that would be even more helpful. |
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Just do a fresh charge on a set of batteries and see what voltage reads on each battery. If you have eneloops that would be even more helpful. Quoted:
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What is the termination voltage you get while charging with your guide 10 plus? I am getting only about 1.25v max. I've got a Guide 10 Plus but I have no idea how to tell what the termination voltage is. I don't think I've heard the term since my computer days. Tell me how to tell and I'll see what it is for you. Just do a fresh charge on a set of batteries and see what voltage reads on each battery. If you have eneloops that would be even more helpful. I do have eneloops. Isn't 1.25 the correct voltage for nimh batteries like eneloops? |
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I do have eneloops. Isn't 1.25 the correct voltage for nimh batteries like eneloops? Quoted:
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What is the termination voltage you get while charging with your guide 10 plus? I am getting only about 1.25v max. I've got a Guide 10 Plus but I have no idea how to tell what the termination voltage is. I don't think I've heard the term since my computer days. Tell me how to tell and I'll see what it is for you. Just do a fresh charge on a set of batteries and see what voltage reads on each battery. If you have eneloops that would be even more helpful. I do have eneloops. Isn't 1.25 the correct voltage for nimh batteries like eneloops? That is the nominal voltage. They charge to around 1.5v and they are considered dead at around .9v. Lithium ion batteries kick out around their 3.7v rating. They charge to 4.2v. |
| My Multimeter is analog so the numbers are not precise. I’m calling it 1.48 for all 4 fresh off the charge with the Guide 10 Plus through the USB port on my desktop. I put 4 Eneloop’s in my wall charger as a control when I started charging the Guide 10 Plus. Nothing fancy, it’s an 8 bay Titanium as sold by Battery Junction. Those 4 all measure 1.5 hot off the charge. Again, not digital so my numbers may be off a bit but I don’t think by huge margin. |
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My Multimeter is analog so the numbers are not precise. I’m calling it 1.48 for all 4 fresh off the charge with the Guide 10 Plus through the USB port on my desktop. I put 4 Eneloop’s in my wall charger as a control when I started charging the Guide 10 Plus. Nothing fancy, it’s an 8 bay Titanium as sold by Battery Junction. Those 4 all measure 1.5 hot off the charge. Again, not digital so my numbers may be off a bit but I don’t think by huge margin. My Sanyo USB charger that came with eneloops just did 1.44v right off the charger. The Guide 10 Plus running off a Verizon USB wall charger only gave 1.25 v on two separate charges. I really think that my Guide 10 was never right in the first place. That is why it wouldn't charge my devices and doesn't work right on batteries. |
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My Sanyo USB charger that came with eneloops just did 1.44v right off the charger. The Guide 10 Plus running off a Verizon USB wall charger only gave 1.25 v on two separate charges. I really think that my Guide 10 was never right in the first place. That is why it wouldn't charge my devices and doesn't work right on batteries. Quoted:
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My Multimeter is analog so the numbers are not precise. I’m calling it 1.48 for all 4 fresh off the charge with the Guide 10 Plus through the USB port on my desktop. I put 4 Eneloop’s in my wall charger as a control when I started charging the Guide 10 Plus. Nothing fancy, it’s an 8 bay Titanium as sold by Battery Junction. Those 4 all measure 1.5 hot off the charge. Again, not digital so my numbers may be off a bit but I don’t think by huge margin. My Sanyo USB charger that came with eneloops just did 1.44v right off the charger. The Guide 10 Plus running off a Verizon USB wall charger only gave 1.25 v on two separate charges. I really think that my Guide 10 was never right in the first place. That is why it wouldn't charge my devices and doesn't work right on batteries. Looks like you may have a problem alright. I've had to use Goal Zero's customer service and it was pretty good so maybe there's hope. With regard to not charging your devices, I also had a problem with that. The Guide 10 Plus didn't charge my phone at all. I called customer service and they sent me the gizmo at the link below and it fixed the issue completely. http://www.goalzero.com/p/200/usb-smart-adapter |
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Looks like you may have a problem alright. I've had to use Goal Zero's customer service and it was pretty good so maybe there's hope. With regard to not charging your devices, I also had a problem with that. The Guide 10 Plus didn't charge my phone at all. I called customer service and they sent me the gizmo at the link below and it fixed the issue completely. http://www.goalzero.com/p/200/usb-smart-adapter Quoted:
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My Multimeter is analog so the numbers are not precise. I’m calling it 1.48 for all 4 fresh off the charge with the Guide 10 Plus through the USB port on my desktop. I put 4 Eneloop’s in my wall charger as a control when I started charging the Guide 10 Plus. Nothing fancy, it’s an 8 bay Titanium as sold by Battery Junction. Those 4 all measure 1.5 hot off the charge. Again, not digital so my numbers may be off a bit but I don’t think by huge margin. My Sanyo USB charger that came with eneloops just did 1.44v right off the charger. The Guide 10 Plus running off a Verizon USB wall charger only gave 1.25 v on two separate charges. I really think that my Guide 10 was never right in the first place. That is why it wouldn't charge my devices and doesn't work right on batteries. Looks like you may have a problem alright. I've had to use Goal Zero's customer service and it was pretty good so maybe there's hope. With regard to not charging your devices, I also had a problem with that. The Guide 10 Plus didn't charge my phone at all. I called customer service and they sent me the gizmo at the link below and it fixed the issue completely. http://www.goalzero.com/p/200/usb-smart-adapter I blew enough time and money on GZ. They wouldn't take it back 2 years ago when it failed immediately after I bought it. Spending another $5 plus shipping isn't in the cards. |
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Here's a thorough review on the Goal Zero AA/AAA charger:
HKJ's Goal Zero NiMH charger/power bank... There are better solutions out there, for less money...at least regarding the GZ charger/PB. Chris |
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Here's a thorough review on the Goal Zero AA/AAA charger: HKJ's Goal Zero NiMH charger/power bank... There are better solutions out there, for less money...at least regarding the GZ charger/PB. Chris My super simple USB charger does great for two eneloops at a time from a solar panel. My 16000 mah lithium ion battery works just a tiny bit better than 4 eneloops...... 
I think I already have a better kit. I'm just bummed it turned out to be wasted money. |
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My super simple USB charger does great for two eneloops at a time from a solar panel. My 16000 mah lithium ion battery works just a tiny bit better than 4 eneloops......
I think I already have a better kit. I'm just bummed it turned out to be wasted money. Quoted:
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Here's a thorough review on the Goal Zero AA/AAA charger: HKJ's Goal Zero NiMH charger/power bank... There are better solutions out there, for less money...at least regarding the GZ charger/PB. Chris My super simple USB charger does great for two eneloops at a time from a solar panel. My 16000 mah lithium ion battery works just a tiny bit better than 4 eneloops......
I think I already have a better kit. I'm just bummed it turned out to be wasted money. HKJ is pretty good at testing chargers and batteries, so follow his lead, going forward. HKJ's charger tests, or anything 'rechargeables' Chris |
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Here's a thorough review on the Goal Zero AA/AAA charger: HKJ's Goal Zero NiMH charger/power bank... There are better solutions out there, for less money...at least regarding the GZ charger/PB. Chris Are there better options that use Eneloops to charge small USB device like phones? |
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Are there better options that use Eneloops to charge small USB device like phones? Quoted:
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Here's a thorough review on the Goal Zero AA/AAA charger: HKJ's Goal Zero NiMH charger/power bank... There are better solutions out there, for less money...at least regarding the GZ charger/PB. Chris Are there better options that use Eneloops to charge small USB device like phones? The combined capacity of 4 eneloops is 2000 mah at 5v. You would need a lot of eneloops to equal a $20 6000 mah lithium ion charger that is already smaller than a guide 10 plus. |
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The combined capacity of 4 eneloops is 2000 mah at 5v. You would need a lot of eneloops to equal a $20 6000 mah lithium ion charger that is already smaller than a guide 10 plus. Quoted:
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Here's a thorough review on the Goal Zero AA/AAA charger: HKJ's Goal Zero NiMH charger/power bank... There are better solutions out there, for less money...at least regarding the GZ charger/PB. Chris Are there better options that use Eneloops to charge small USB device like phones? The combined capacity of 4 eneloops is 2000 mah at 5v. You would need a lot of eneloops to equal a $20 6000 mah lithium ion charger that is already smaller than a guide 10 plus. No doubt, but for me that’s not really the point. I don’t need this capability in my daily life, it’s solely for use in a lights out event. I’m already using the Eneloops directly in other stuff so this is just a practical use of a resource already on hand. Honestly, I don’t need the most power in the smallest package, I just need enough power for as long as possible. Turtle and the hare kind of thing, maybe? I have roughly three dozen Eneloop AA batteries. With an average life of 1500 cycles that’s 54,000 AA batteries. I can recharge the Eneloops with a solar charger (that fits in my pocket) for years to come. I think this setup may be providing juice long after the last dedicated lithium ion charger has squeezed out its last volt. |
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I use litium ion lights daily and I keep a 16000 mah battery with me to charge my phone if I need it. I keep two single AA lights with me to back up my daily users. I have a 5 watt Brunton panel in my pack as I sit here in the Chicago Midway airport. That can charge my mini USB eneloop charger or my two lithium ion lights directly.
I've been thinking about upgrading the solar panel. At home I have dozens of eneloops like you. The bigger panels and Maha charger will come in handy for home use. |
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Looks like you’ve got your needs pretty well addressed. Still, having spent the money it sucks the Goal 10 doesn’t work for you. Having the ability to use the most common battery on the planet would seem to be a handy backup in a pinch. Maybe ChrisGarrett will come up with something.
I use Powerfilm dedicated AA chargers for my admittedly very modest charging needs but the larger panels have a pretty good rep too. |
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Looks like you’ve got your needs pretty well addressed. Still, having spent the money it sucks the Goal 10 doesn’t work for you. Having the ability to use the most common battery on the planet would seem to be a handy backup in a pinch. Maybe ChrisGarrett will come up with something. I use Powerfilm dedicated AA chargers for my admittedly very modest charging needs but the larger panels have a pretty good rep too. I bought this little Fujitsu (owns FDK plant which makes Eneloops and Fujitsu AA/AAAAs) 4xAA charger/power bank and it works pretty well for not a lot of cash. Comes with four Fujitsu 2500mAh hi-cap LSD batteries, so you're basically getting the USB charger for a couple of bucks and it will charge things up in a pinch, although the output is only 1A IIRC and that might not be enough to power up a newer iPhone or Galaxy, which need a 2.1A input. Fujitsu 4xAA charger and power bank Still my bases are covered. I have a 4x18650 Ruinovo PB, which allows me to replace the cells and that works well, although my 2A INPUT doesn't work any longer, so I'm stuck with charging it back up at 1A, which is just a time function. For $32 and four Sanyo 18650 2600mAh cells, it was basically $10, so it's a decent backup which will output close to 2.4A and is fine for the high current devices. I have a Xiaomi 4x18650 PB coming and while it's not the easiest to take apart, there will be a way once it arrives and I hack into it. Four 18650s at 3500mAh each, is the way to go and I wouldn't buy a fixed cell PB, because once those cell(s) die, the unit has to go back to the manufacturer and swapping out cells in the field becomes problematic. They just hold more energy and offer a higher starting voltage than the AA NiMH, which start to encounter voltage sag and have to be boosted to get to that 5v USB standard. https://www.fasttech.com/p/3600900 The Xiaomi is counterfeited quite a bit, so get an authentic one. Couple a good 4x18650 with something like my 2.1A/2.4A 14w Sunkingdom folding solar panel and you have many bases covered in a SHTF scenario. This stuff doesn't have to be expensive and while my panel isn't a PowerFilm, Brunton, GZ or Global Solar panel in quality, it will work for a bit. I think that I paid $40 shipped for it and it's seemingly well made. Folding panels have small, thin wires between the segments and as the panel is folded/unfolded, those wires will eventually break and render the panel useless, so do sit on your couch opening it and closing it, while watching TV! Chris |
| That’s it, I’m done talking to both of you guys. I slave over a hot charger all day yesterday to get him his numbers and don’t get so much as a thank you from Bat and now you show up with all this fancy battery talk in an obvious and deliberate attempt to make my AA batteries feel inadequate. I’m off to try and replicate a charger I saw on a survival documentary years ago. This professor fashions a battery charger out of coconut shells and seawater. If I can just remember where he put the pennies… |
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That’s it, I’m done talking to both of you guys. I slave over a hot charger all day yesterday to get him his numbers and don’t get so much as a thank you from Bat and now you show up with all this fancy battery talk in an obvious and deliberate attempt to make my AA batteries feel inadequate. I’m off to try and replicate a charger I saw on a survival documentary years ago. This professor fashions a battery charger out of coconut shells and seawater. If I can just remember where he put the pennies… Ha! Everything has limits and unfortunately for NiMH (and even alkalines) batteries, they have a nominal voltage of 1.2v, but come hot off the charger at 1.45v-ish. This is great for things like AA lights, remotes, camera flashes, but if you're trying to charge up 5v USB devices, you're a bit shy and this necessitates a boost circuit which raises the voltage to that 5v. Unfortunately, there are no free lunches and boost circuits aren't all that efficient, especially when going from a 1.45v to 5v. Li-ions are 3.7v nominal and come hot off the charger at 4.2v, so you can see where they have a better chance of pumping current into a device due to a higher starting voltage. I don't have a link, but there's a popular saltwater charger that works, but lifespan is limited as the metal bits start to corrode and disintegrate. As I said above, this stuff isn't all that expensive and for $100, you can be well on your way if you buy properly. I'm four years into this stuff and I could probably do without some of my purchases, but I think that I'm geared up properly and my knowledge has increased. The bottom line is is that batteries aren't batteries and there are plenty of differences. Buy quality stuff and you'll get a good 5 years plus out of most of them. Stager your purchases so things don't all go 'stale' at once. Chris |
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That’s it, I’m done talking to both of you guys. I slave over a hot charger all day yesterday to get him his numbers and don’t get so much as a thank you from Bat and now you show up with all this fancy battery talk in an obvious and deliberate attempt to make my AA batteries feel inadequate. I’m off to try and replicate a charger I saw on a survival documentary years ago. This professor fashions a battery charger out of coconut shells and seawater. If I can just remember where he put the pennies… I'm sorry. Thank you for slaving over a hot charger for me. 
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What is the termination voltage you get while charging with your guide 10 plus? I am getting only about 1.25v max. I've got guide 10 plus connected to a USB 700mA wall charger, my meter was climbing slowly but now seems steady at 1.43. But it's still charging. I've run it off my Nomad 7 successfully as well. But like all solar, have seen issues when not in solid sun. I wonder about the charge controller/circuit in the guide 10 plus if it doesn't handle fluctuating voltage/amperage well? Anything further on your side? If you give up on your guide 10 plus, maybe you'd be interested in cracking the case... I'd be interested in what controller/circuit is inside! |
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I hope everyone got my Gilligan’s Island reference. Rereading it now it might have been a bit arcane.
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Ha! Everything has limits and unfortunately for NiMH (and even alkalines) batteries, they have a nominal voltage of 1.2v, but come hot off the charger at 1.45v-ish. This is great for things like AA lights, remotes, camera flashes, but if you're trying to charge up 5v USB devices, you're a bit shy and this necessitates a boost circuit which raises the voltage to that 5v. Unfortunately, there are no free lunches and boost circuits aren't all that efficient, especially when going from a 1.45v to 5v. Li-ions are 3.7v nominal and come hot off the charger at 4.2v, so you can see where they have a better chance of pumping current into a device due to a higher starting voltage. I don't have a link, but there's a popular saltwater charger that works, but lifespan is limited as the metal bits start to corrode and disintegrate. As I said above, this stuff isn't all that expensive and for $100, you can be well on your way if you buy properly. I'm four years into this stuff and I could probably do without some of my purchases, but I think that I'm geared up properly and my knowledge has increased. The bottom line is is that batteries aren't batteries and there are plenty of differences. Buy quality stuff and you'll get a good 5 years plus out of most of them. Stager your purchases so things don't all go 'stale' at once. Chris Another way to go is to spend the time and money on more efficient stuff so you don’t need more than what AA batteries can provide. The Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus easily charges my cell phone, which is really all I need it to do. My Powerfilm chargers work very well and really do fit in a pocket. I’ve been through numerous power outages, including some multi-day events, and I’ve yet to need a 1000 Lumen light. My head lamps use a single AA battery and provide enough light for anything I’ve ever had to do. I’ve had first responders order me out of my own home twice in my life and understand the importance of portability. I’m not saying what’s right for me is right for you. If you need the higher capacity stuff then you need it and that’s that. I do think there’s a tendency for a lot of folks to get sucked in to the “more power” trap. Doing a no BS assessment of your needs vs wants may let you comfortably get by with less than most folks seem to think. Quoted:
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That’s it, I’m done talking to both of you guys. I slave over a hot charger all day yesterday to get him his numbers and don’t get so much as a thank you from Bat and now you show up with all this fancy battery talk in an obvious and deliberate attempt to make my AA batteries feel inadequate. I’m off to try and replicate a charger I saw on a survival documentary years ago. This professor fashions a battery charger out of coconut shells and seawater. If I can just remember where he put the pennies… I'm sorry. Thank you for slaving over a hot charger for me. Happy to do it. Sorry the end result wasn’t better news for you. Quoted:
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What is the termination voltage you get while charging with your guide 10 plus? I am getting only about 1.25v max. I've got guide 10 plus connected to a USB 700mA wall charger, my meter was climbing slowly but now seems steady at 1.43. But it's still charging. I've run it off my Nomad 7 successfully as well. But like all solar, have seen issues when not in solid sun. I wonder about the charge controller/circuit in the guide 10 plus if it doesn't handle fluctuating voltage/amperage well? Anything further on your side? If you give up on your guide 10 plus, maybe you'd be interested in cracking the case... I'd be interested in what controller/circuit is inside! What were you’re final numbers? |
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I hope everyone got my Gilligan’s Island reference. Rereading it now it might have been a bit arcane. <deleted> What were you’re final numbers? Quoted:
I hope everyone got my Gilligan’s Island reference. Rereading it now it might have been a bit arcane. <deleted> Quoted:
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What is the termination voltage you get while charging with your guide 10 plus? I am getting only about 1.25v max. I've got guide 10 plus connected to a USB 700mA wall charger, my meter was climbing slowly but now seems steady at 1.43. But it's still charging. I've run it off my Nomad 7 successfully as well. But like all solar, have seen issues when not in solid sun. I wonder about the charge controller/circuit in the guide 10 plus if it doesn't handle fluctuating voltage/amperage well? Anything further on your side? If you give up on your guide 10 plus, maybe you'd be interested in cracking the case... I'd be interested in what controller/circuit is inside! What were you’re final numbers? It went up to 1.48 then when the charge light stopped blinking, it was at 1.39. |
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i don't know. Might see what my Maha does when I need to charge up another set of batteries. Quoted:
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Thanks for taking the time to reply. I wonder what caused the drop. i don't know. Might see what my Maha does when I need to charge up another set of batteries. I ran another test over the weekend. I put a fresh set of Eneloop’s in the Guide10 Plus and dumped them into a 26650 that needing topping off. When the Guide10 Plus showed solid red I pulled the batteries and they all measured at 1.25. I reinstalled the batteries and plugged it into my desktop USB port. When done they again measured 1.48. I pulled the batteries as soon as the light turned solid green. Now I wonder if I shouldn’t have let them sit in the charger for a little while to see if they would have dropped a bit. |