Moixa Energy’s latest innovation is one of those slap- your-forehead, why-didn’t- I-think-of-that ideas that simultaneously makes sense and makes us feel good to use: a traditional AA battery that recharges itself while plugged into a personal computer’s USB port.
But before I recite the reasons why this is a brilliant idea, let me disclose two drawbacks: The batteries are pricier than both regular AAs and other rechargeables. And because some of the physical space of the battery is taken up with a USB connector, the energy volume it packs may be a little less than others before needing a recharge.
The feel-good part of the USBCell is this: Besides the advantage of all rechargeables — you aren’t adding toxins to landfills by tossing the batteries in the trash after use — you are also taking advantage of an existing energy supply, your plugged-in personal computer, and are not wasting power.
Cripes! If I was still on the road, these would be a natural.
Old story, but still a good idea. LINK to review HERE
Ok Moxi’s semi cool, Instead of plugging your batteries into a recharger you pay a hefty price to suck some juice out of your laptop. however
The
ECOSOL P1 Power Stick is cool. the energy comes from light.
( http://www.ecosolinc.com )
Users can
Travel with out the need for transformers and wires.
Given the 400%/500% premium for these cells, plus their limited capacity, this makes a whole lot more sense.
Are these NiMH??
Pedro:
Hint
How many USB ports do you have?
Too bad I need AAA rather than AA.
Well, maybe I need AA too…..
4,
I’m with you.
Funny, I remember posting the exact same thing as #4, for exactly the same article.
Memory must be playing tricks….
Even if you have 4 USB ports, each pair is generally so close together that you can’t charge 2 side-by-side without extension cables. This sounds like a good idea but it’s not practical. I expect to see it in a BoC on woot sometime soon.
Maybe it’s just me, but I rarely need to charge just one battery…. My notebook’s got three USB ports, but the convenience factors start to fall apart at some point.
I would be a lot happier with a USB-based charger that I could plug my phone into, or my camera, although the voltage available may not be adequate.
Oh well…. I’ve seen worse ideas.
Regards,
Stu.
#7
USBCELL will be available in a AAA format and other formats with a mini-USB connector and also with a folding full-size USB, and with convertors.
#11 You should be able to charge side by side. The diameter of the usb jack is wider.
You can always add a pocket hub which is very cheap!
During the past year
Duracell and Eveready launched even longer life lithium batteries for todays electronics devices eg digital cameras.
They are work great!
During the past year
Duracell and Eveready launched even longer life lithium batteries for todays electronics devices eg digital cameras.
They work great!
“The feel-good part of the USBCell is this: Besides the advantage of all rechargeables — you aren’t adding toxins to landfills by tossing the batteries in the trash after use — you are also taking advantage of an existing energy supply, your plugged-in personal computer, and are not wasting power.”
Nope, no toxins, just burning coal to get the electricity. Sweet. I’m not sure about the not wasting power part, huh?
You tell ’em, Slappy. So, does your computer run on wind power? Or do you just use other peoples’ PC’s?
That would be sweet, PC’s running on wind power…
Damm I hate being plugged into a wall!
pedro,
God was being sarcastic however one day we will be able to operated electronic devices that require very little energy.
“you aren’t adding toxins to landfills by tossing the batteries in the trash after use”
Uh, you aren’t supposed to throw used batteries in the garbage. Ever heard of recycling?
And yeah, the “wasting power” part doesn’t make any sense. So you are going to have your PC on (maybe longer than otherwise) just to charge a battery? It would be much more efficient to use a separate charger built for that purpose.
If there is an angel investor out there looking for such I thing, I have designed and operated a kite flown windcharger. It all fits in a backback. Mine is rather large, but I am certain you could fly a smaller one with one of those radio crank generators in it.
#13 — Got a LINK? Would LOVE to get some of these to go with my 8 Port USB powered Hub.
Need AAA for my cordless mouse, cameras,and remotes!
(*previous Post correction…the last line should have been “Maybe I need A.A. also….”
Unless you only need one battery, isn’t it easier and cheaper to just buy NiMh batteries and a charger rather than buying four of these things and a powered USB hub?
And if you travel a lot, I think a bigger concern is plugging in and charging your laptop, not your AAs. AAs last for days in a digital camera, but most laptops go down after a couple of hours. You can buy a fast charger that will charge 4 AAs in the time it takes your laptop to top off.
I bought a dozen of these (http://tinyurl.com/2u9cyz) at Staples last week for .50 apiece. Reg price $9.99.
Pedro: “You need to have absolutely nothing else to be able to charge 4 of this.”
Absolutely nothing else…but a running laptop. I’d suggest a charger is smaller and more efficient. If you’re out in the middle of the woods, you may be right, but will your laptop run long enough to charge them? Better to just bring a second set of cells that can hold a decent charge.
How is this not a waste of energy? Do the USB ports just emit radiation when not in use? This is only helpful in terms of energy use if the charging process is somehow better or cheaper than with other rechargeables. The USB port still draws power.
Wow, I bet laptop sales will go way up when the average Joe Sixpack finds out he can use one to charge the batteries for his TV remote!
BTW, what is with this “Sorry, you can only post a new comment once every 15 seconds. Slow down cowboy.” message? I haven’t posted in at least 24 hours, but I’m getting that message. The computer doing the time calculations must have an old Pentium-60 in it.
My cap kills my brain