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Charging a Baofeng UV-5R plus from a small solar panel

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LouK23

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Am new to the forums, so would appreciate it if someone would channel this post to the correct thread until I can find my way around a little better. I purchased the UV-5R as a disaster radio for a grab and go bag. I have a folding solar panel that puts out DC 5v at 2.4 mA. The output is via a USB port. I'd like to know if there is a way to charge from this solar powered USB cable to the DC 10v input on the radio's charger base? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 

K4EET

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Am new to the forums, so would appreciate it if someone would channel this post to the correct thread until I can find my way around a little better. I purchased the UV-5R as a disaster radio for a grab and go bag. I have a folding solar panel that puts out DC 5v at 2.4 mA. The output is via a USB port. I'd like to know if there is a way to charge from this solar powered USB cable to the DC 10v input on the radio's charger base? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to Radio Reference. Lots of information to be found here...

I can't answer your charging question but I am curious as to what frequency you plan to transmit on with your go-bag radio? Thanks!

Regards, Dave, K4EET
 
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chief21

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Am new to the forums, so would appreciate it if someone would channel this post to the correct thread until I can find my way around a little better. I purchased the UV-5R as a disaster radio for a grab and go bag. I have a folding solar panel that puts out DC 5v at 2.4 mA. The output is via a USB port. I'd like to know if there is a way to charge from this solar powered USB cable to the DC 10v input on the radio's charger base? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I can think of at least two reasons why this wouldn't work and/or shouldn't be attempted...

*** The Baofeng (and most newer radios) are using lithium-Ion batteries. While these batteries have a much higher energy density that the older NiCad or NiMh types, they can be dangerous and should never be charged with anything other than purpose-built equipment. There must be a specialized circuit to prevent overcharging or the battery could explode or catch fire.

*** The 5v output of the solar panel is inadequate to charge a nominal 7-8 volt battery. And even if the voltage was adequate, it might take forever to charge a 1800mA-capacity battery at a rate of 2.4mA.

Be safe!

John AC4JK
 

LouK23

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Bought it to be able to monitor emergency channels in the event of earthquake here in California. No plans to transmit except in emergency. We sailed for 5 years back about 30 years ago and monitored the HAM boater nets in the morning to help us as we traveled. Intend to me my Technician's ticket and then I can start thinking about where I might transmit.
 

gewecke

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I can think of at least two reasons why this wouldn't work and/or shouldn't be attempted...

*** The Baofeng (and most newer radios) are using lithium-Ion batteries. While these batteries have a much higher energy density that the older NiCad or NiMh types, they can be dangerous and should never be charged with anything other than purpose-built equipment. There must be a specialized circuit to prevent overcharging or the battery could explode or catch fire.

*** The 5v output of the solar panel is inadequate to charge a nominal 7-8 volt battery. And even if the voltage was adequate, it might take forever to charge a 1800mA-capacity battery at a rate of 2.4mA.

Be safe!

John AC4JK
Granted, anything more than 5vdc is unlikely but most of the small solar panels on the market have no problem charging lithium ion batteries, as that's what are in many of our newer smart phones. I've done it with mine, fully charged in about 4 hours. :wink: 73, n9zas
 

cmdrwill

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Baofeng UV-5R charger needs 9 volts DC.... Double check the wall wort that came with the charger to be dammed sure. The little chip that controls the Li battery charge does not like over voltage.
 

PACNWDude

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With my Baofeng radios, I just make sure to have the car charger available. Having a working car in an emergency is usually possible, and makes it easy to charge many devices. Having an inverter for AC items is helpful too.
 

Comp-100

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... I have a folding solar panel that puts out DC 5v at 2.4 mA. ....

Hi,

Check the specs again on that panel you have 2.4mA is not enough current for anything really so I suspect you made a typo or the specs have a typo in them.

As someone else suggested see if you can maybe get the output of the panel before it is fed to the 5V regulator for the USB connector.

Those are good little radios, and the batteries are good so I would just make sure maybe that you carry an extra battery, maybe an extended battery if you really think that in an emergency you might run down a complete battery.
 
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