GBA on solar? Possible?

[Rulycat]

Hi, I hope I can post this here.

Okay so basically I have one of the old candy-bar type GameBoy Advances. The ones that use 3V of AAs for power. I was wondering if I got a 3V solar cell could I design a circuit which charges up some NiMHs in the GBA from the cell and shutting off when they are full.

What do people think? I don't know all that much about electronics but they fascinate me.

[PlainBill]

Re: GBA on solar? Possible?

Hi, I hope I can post this here.

Okay so basically I have one of the old candy-bar type GameBoy Advances. The ones that use 3V of AAs for power. I was wondering if I got a 3V solar cell could I design a circuit which charges up some NiMHs in the GBA from the cell and shutting off when they are full.

What do people think? I don't know all that much about electronics but they fascinate me.

The short answer to your question is "It depends".

A little research leads me to believe the GBA can tolerate the charging voltage of LiMH cells. So it appears to be theoretically possible.

The next question is "How difficult will it be?" Well, the charger would have to be smart enough to turn off the charging voltage when the cell becomes fully charged. So are you smart enough to design one?

The third question is "Is it practical?" How big a solar panel would you need to charge the batteries?

PlainBill

[Rulycat]

Re: GBA on solar? Possible?

As for the how smart am I, I don't know how atm, I'll have to do some research.

As for the cell, I was looking at this:
http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Fas...ource=googleps

Apparently I will have to use a diode to stop the battery's charge flowing back into the cell at night? Also, I think if I am using 2500ma NiMHs the 100ma from the cells won't charge them too fast, I'd have to work out how to cut the power off as you say.