Subj : Solar TV Battery Test To : Nancy Backus From : Barry Martin Date : Tue Feb 25 2020 09:39:00 Hi Nancy! Well, the Beeg Schtorm they were semi-panicking about didn't materialize here -- this morning is off to the south by around a hundred miles. We might get some rain out of the system. BM> After a while it gets cold enough it doesn't seem to make any BM> difference in one's mind if it gets any colder. I suppose BM> physiologically it does - exposed body parts get frostbit in 10 minutes BM> instead of 30 -- but to the average person just thinks -- or tries to BM> because their teeth are chattering so bad under five layers of BM> clothing! NB> It does make a difference too how acclimated one has become to NB> the temps... people in Alaska and the Yukon would find our temps NB> downright balmy... When it was around 0F here, I finally NB> used my winter jacket for a couple of days... usually it makes me NB> too warm... Yes: everything's relatve. I put on a winter coat a little above freezing -- I don't like being hot but don't like being cold either. Did see a guy wearing shorts and a lighterweight shirt -- looked something like he came from or was going to a Rugby or soccer practice. Everyone else wearing warm clothes. BM> Yup. Did straighten up here some -- did get rid of stuff on a bottom BM> shelf so might be able to get a Bankers Box there or equivalent. BM> haven't quite decided what should go there: want to keep like things BM> together. More cleaning and disposal and something will make sense. NB> Indeed. Rearranged some yesterday afternoon. Created a medium-sized hole. :) Right now wasted a bit of space with the condensing/re-arranging but thought of how to move a few things around and should solve that. BM>>> Even if the power failed right now there are BM>>> three batteries available which should run over three hours each. Not BM>>> planning on keeping that many charged: one is the battery from the UPS BM>>> that failed because the second battery was bad. Second is from a UPS BM>>> right now is a spare (not for too much longer!), and the third was a BM>>> spare/replacement battery. NB>>> So for now, you have plenty of backup anyway... :) BM>> Yes. And with the temperature below zero if the power fails I have BM>> more to be concerned with than what's on TV! NB>> Except for ongoing weather reports and alerts... BM> Oh yeah: forgot that's the original reason! NB> Stay focused...! Squirrel!! Did charge two batteries for the TV yesteday morning in anticipation of the storm. The one I removed from the UPS that 'failed' (the other battery had died) doesn't seem to hold a charge as well as it should -- still good for experimenting and would probably powere the TV for two or three hours. The second battery (different one from the one that failed in the UPS - previous paragraph) has been holding its charge -- was pretty much at full charge and hasn't been charged in a couple of months. Seems like this one is the normal and expected standby. BM> BM>>>> Didn't try outside: warm enough today but in winter quite possible BM>>>> well below freezing, could freeze and therefore break the battery. BM>>>> Solar cell outside, run wires to inside.... Thinking this is more of BM>>>> a now-emergency than something planned and semi-permanent. NB>>>> And might be that you'd do better to test that aspect come later NB>>>> spring through summer and early fall.... In warmer weather, you NB>>>> could try doing it just through the screen... I'd think that you'd NB>>>> also need to protect it from the elements... BM>>> Hmmm: now that's a possibility! Thanks! At this point not sure if the BM>>> solar charger is sufficiently weather resistant to stay outside BM>>> permanently.... NB>>> Something else to get more data on in the meantime... :) BM>> Yes, though may sacrifice the unit just because it is old. Would BM>> provide some sort of protection from rain, snow, etc., but if the BM>> plastic case gets brittle and breaks no great loss. NB>> Unless by some fluke, it actually works before it goes flooey... ;) BM> I'd prefer it not to go flooey (haven't heard that one in ages!) but BM> do realize is a possibility as not built for continuous use outdoors. BM> OTOH should last long enough to tell me if the project is worthwhile or BM> go with the charging/maintaining from the wall outlet (electricty). NB> Possibility... ;) So that sub-project will wait for a little while longer: can easily get to the basement window now (yea!!), though some stuff in the way as far as counterspace for meters, etc. No rush, so better to leave alone for now. NB>>> ... Behind every good computer - is a jumble of cables! BM>> Can only do so much wireless! NB>> For sure... :) BM> And they do like to intertwine! NB> Togetherness... ;) The other day I pulled this computer to air dust the CPU's heat sink; did un-braid some of the cables back there while the computer was out. They were all run neatly originally - honest!! BM> ... Feb.18: National Battery Day. Appreciate conveniences batteries BM> provide. NB> That was an appropriate one, both topic and date.... ;) It was semi-randomly selected: hit 'r' to jump to a random tagline, select or 'r' again. I think it was selecte don the second 'r'. NB> ... Major University Scientific Report says you need to buy Our NB> Product! Sounds like good marketing to me! ¯ ® ¯ Barry_Martin_3@ ® ¯ @Q.COM ® ¯ ® .... Has anyone ever seen a flea at a flea market? --- MultiMail/Win32 v0.47 þ wcECHO 4.2 ÷ ILink: The Safe BBS þ Bettendorf, IA --- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462 * Origin: ILink: CFBBS | cfbbs.no-ip.com | 856-933-7096 (454:1/1) .