Since the Brunton Restore was able to power the iPad, it only stood to reason that the Brunton Freedom could too. This makes a very rugged little expansion battery for your iPad! The Brunton Freedom offers a 1A USB port, which is as powerful as most laptop ports, but not to the 2.1A iPad charger spec. However, we saw the iPad to light-up with the iconic Apple 'chirp' indicating that the iPad was indeed recognizing the power source. The iPad is happy to draw power from the Freedom, but it will not charge from it. Even when the iPad is turned off completely. The Freedom adds approximately another 30% to your iPad battery. The smaller solar panel can directly offset approx 30 minutes of iPad use per summer day. Remember... your power comes directly from sunlight! And remember, if the weather, or time of year, is not charging your Freedom quickly enough, simply plug it into your PC, MacBook, or any other USB port to fill 'er up. Thanks for watching, and please let us know if we can help you power your equipment wherever life's adventure takes you. Visit us at: www.modernoutpost.com
Monday, December 19, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Cut Your Gas Bills
Many people are trying to reduce their monthly outgoings, as it is getting harder to make ends meet due to the continuing recession.Reducing your electricity and gas bills is one of the most effective ways to save money. This is because energy costs represent a significant chunk of anyone's pay cheque.
There are numerous ways to cut the amount of money you spend on energy. One of the first things you should do is work out if your current gas supplier offers value for money. You can do this by contacting the various providers that operate in your area. Alternatively, you can use a price comparison site, which takes a lot of the hassle out of finding low-priced gas.
The payment plan you are on also has an effect on your energy bills. The options include fixed plans, which make things much simpler by fixing the price of each unit, social plans - for more vulnerable consumers - and capped plans. This means the price of gas won't rise above a certain level, although it may fall if wholesale gas prices are cut.
And it isn't just residential users that can reduce their energy costs. Business energy plans are available for companies that want to cut the cost of commercial gas use.
There are other ways to save money, however.
Every time you receive your gas bill, you should check the meter to ensure you have been billed accurately. Many companies base your bills either on an estimate of your usage or a standard charge. If you have used less than the estimate, make sure you let your energy supplier know.
By switching to an Internet payment plan, you could see your bills come down by as much as 10 per cent. As long as you are willing to manage your account online, this can result in significant savings. You may also want to consider a dual fuel plan. Getting gas and electricity from the same company cuts administration costs and could bring your bill down. Be sure to check if you will save money though, as it isn't always the case.
Of course, the most obvious way to save money on energy is to use electricity and gas more efficiently.
You can do this by making sure your house is well insulated throughout, and has double glazing installed. This means less heat will escape from your home and consequently your gas bills will fall.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Different Types of Batteries
In this orb of rapid technical development, our dependence on electrical and electronic goods is getting escalated day by day. The role of battery is worthy of note. A battery is a combination of one or more electrochemical cells, which converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Each cell consists of two electrodes namely anode and cathode with an electrolyte in between. At each electrode, some electrochemical reaction takes place resulting in potential differences between the electrodes. This potential difference called electromotive force drives the electrons. They can be used once and tossed out or can be recharged and used for years. Based on this nature, batteries are broadly sorted out into primary and secondary batteries.
Primary batteries are those, which are not normally rechargeable, as the electrochemical reactions taking place in this battery are irreversible. Once the supply of reactants is exhausted, it would be of no use. Then you have to go for another one. On assembly itself, it can generate current without more ado. They are also dubbed as disposable batteries. They are otherwise called as dry cells, since the electrolyte used in this is a paste like material, rather than a liquid. Primary batteries are used in devices that have low current drain. They have more initial voltage and provide good capacity. Zinc/carbon batteries are of low cost. They have poor low temperature performance and largely used in toys, torches, radios etc.
Alkaline/manganese oxide batteries offer good capacity, better low temperature performance and the cost will be higher. It is seen in aircraft transmitters or receivers, television, calculators etc. Zn/HgO batteries proffer high energy density, constant voltage, good shelf life etc. and used in photography, hearing-aids, pace makers, sensors in military etc. Zinc/silver oxide battery provides good energy density, high performance rate and can be used in watches, missiles, space applications etc. For memory devices, electrical devices Li/SOCl2 batteries are used. They have longer shelf life. Zn/Air batteries offer good shelf life as well as high energy density and they change with the temperature. They are used in traffic signals, watches, electrical fences etc.
Secondary batteries are the rechargeable batteries which can be recharged as the electrochemical reactions are reversible, means that it is also possible to convert electrical energy into chemical energy, by charging it. It is necessary to charge the battery before using it, because the components will be in discharged state at the outset. These batteries can be charged by furnishing electricity and the devices involved in providing electricity can be called as rechargers or chargers.The batteries can be recharged and get discharged as many times as possible. Lead/Acid batteries are the well known secondary batteries.
They have decent high and low temperature performance, low cost, low energy density, low charge retention and are used in cars, aircrafts, lawnmowers. Ni/Cd, Ni/Fe, Ni/Zn bids good durability, longer shelf life. Ni/Cd can be used in aircrafts, power applications. Ni/Zn batteries are used in bikes, military vehicles etc. Silver oxide batteries like Zn/AgO, Cd/AgO comprise good discharge rate, longer shelf life, high energy density,high cost etc. The former is used in submarines, military equipment etc. and the latter is used in satellites, power tools. Li/poly batteries are used in mobile phones and they are non-volatile, overpriced.
Primary batteries are less pricey when compared to secondary ones. They have higher energy density when compared to the latter. Primary battery is wispy and provides fine shelf life but, they cannot be reused. Instead of proper disposal, if they are thrown out, it will lead to environmental pollution. Secondary batteries shore up high power density and high discharge rate. The charge retention will be poor. Only a few standards are available.
Proper storage is needed as high temperature and high humidity can devolve the batteries. They should be kept in a discharged state because, they can discharge themselves once they are in the assembly and as the days pass, they become kaput.
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