May 29, 2011. Paul Hixon
Solar light batteries are something that every solar light needs. They are rechargeable, and are designed to be charged during the daylight hours by the solar panels.
The better ones are made to handle at least 1000 deep discharges, which means they should be able to last 1000 nights before needing replacement. Obviously some are better than others in this regard, but you should look for batteries that can at least handle this amount. There are a number of kinds of solar batteries. However, two of the most often used ones are the NiCd and niMH. They have a number of benefits, and while they might not be the cheapest, their functionality makes them worth it.
The NiCd is the cheaper of the two. It is known for being very durable, and is notoriously strong as well. It is very rare for it to lose their charge before the night is over, despite its’ price. Also, it does not take a long time to charge up with most chargers.
The major negative with this one is that you have to wait until the battery is totally drained before recharging. This is because there is evidence that there is something called the “memory effect” with these batteries. Basically, if you charge them up before they are completely drained, you are going to use them up sooner than if you let them get all the way to the end. For this reason, they can be a bit inconvenient.
The niHM are a bit better than the NiCd, because they hold their charge for roughly 40% as long. Also, you can charge them before they run out, because they do not have the memory effect that the NiCd does. For this reason, you can charge them whenever you want. As you might expect, they are a bit pricier, but the benefits might make them worth it.
To find the best prices for solar light batteries, just make sure you go online. The prices are often a bit cheaper here, and sticking with the internet will save you money. Whether you are interested in do it yourself solar power or a store bought panel, going with niHM solar light batteries is probably the best decision.
Updated May 29, 2011. Published February 20, 2011. Paul Hixon
