chargers

LAS VEGAS--Over the last few years, I've spent a lot of time piecing together a mini solar station to charge my gadgets. Having just returned from CES, it's clear that the latest options for small-scale solar are likely appeal to more than just eco-geeks like me.

My home solar-charging gear is decidedly clunky. I bought a 10-watt solar panel that charges a 12-volt back-up battery which has a regular AC outlet on it. It's versatile since I can use the wall plugs that come with various devices but my toys weren't cheap--close to $300 all told. … Read more

There are all sorts of devices that provide a quick charge for a cell phone or other gadget when you can't get to an electrical outlet. Most, like the Energizer Energi To Go products, require you to insert AA batteries that transfer energy from the AA battery to the device's internal battery. But Easy Energy has a battery-free solution.

Spokeswoman Allison Morrison told me about the company's YoGen product, which is like a yo-yo that generates power. It's a handheld device with a cord. Pull the cord a few times and it generates enough power to … Read more

LAS VEGAS--A look at Solar Power International's FreeLoader Pro solar charger shows how these can function as multipurpose chargers that happen to have solar panels.

The Freeloader Pro, which will be available in the U.S. starting next week, is a handheld charger made up of two small solar panels and integrated lithium ion battery.

Like the dozens of solar chargers on the market, the Freeloader Pro can charge up cell phones, GPS devices, and other small gadgets. What makes it versatile is the accompanying CamCaddy, an adjustable device for charging different sized block batteries for digital cameras, camcorders, … Read more

The route to clean energy is through small gadgets, according to Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies.

The company said Monday that it will show off the HydroFill, a home-use fuel cell system suitable for charging small electronics, at this week's Consumer Electronics Show. The product is set for release later in 2010.

The HydroFill extracts hydrogen gas from water and stores it in Hydrostik cartridges with a metal alloy that absorbs the hydrogen. To then charge electronic devices, people use a pocket-size fuel cell charger, called a MiniPak, which pulls hydrogen from the cartridges and a produces an electrical current. … Read more

Portable battery banks may be common these days, but the Juice charger deserves mention for being really pretty.

Made by a Japanese company called Nobil, this product's internal battery can be recharged through the wall socket prongs cleverly hidden in its body. It can then be used to charge any device that draws power from a USB port--just think of it as recharging using your home PC, less the PC. Furthermore, two AAA- or AA-size batteries fit on its sides so those can be recharged on the go, too.

The company describes it as an "ingenious portable charger,&… Read more

OK, I know this next comment is going totally show my age, but when I was a child, I wanted to slip through the window of the General Lee and make the big jump like they did during the opening of that '70s TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard." As we all know, the 01 car was (at least at first) a 1969 Dodge Charger, a well known and revered classic American muscle car. But to paraphrase car restoration expert Travis Bowe: Dodge made cars, not airplanes. The first General Lee used on "Dukes" didn't … Read more

Can you imagine placing your cellphone on a Starbucks table and seeing it charge instantly?

Gainesville, Fla.-based WiPower (pronounced "y"-power) is manufacturing wireless-charging technology that could potentially facilitate just that.

Ryan Tseng founded WiPower after he realized how burdening it is to travel with bundles of chargers.

His frustration resulted in WiPower's wireless power transmitter, a mouse pad-like device that connects to a wall with one cord. Devices with an integrated power receiver placed upon the mat start charging immediately.

The product uses inductive coupling, a technology electric toothbrushes have used for years now, mostly … Read more

Last year around this time, it was still a challenge just to get a Wii. Now that everyone's got one, let's take a look at some inexpensive gift ideas for the Wii people ("Wii-ple"?) in your life.

1. Buy.com has the Wii AirCharge Inductive Charger for $17.99 shipped. "Inductive" means you just lay the controllers on the charging base and presto: they recharge. It even works through the silicon sleeves and with the new MotionPlus connected. The package comes with the base and a pair of rechargeable batteries. I'm getting one.… Read more

Outdoorsy types are sure to love mobile solar chargers, but what about those who rarely see sunlight? (No, we're not referring to "Twilight.")

Easy Energy will launch the YoGen, a mobile charger that solely relies on hand power. The pocket-size charger lets you generates energy by repeatedly pulling a ripcord, similar to the way a lawnmower is started.

The Las Vegas-based company created this product as a part of its mission to "satisfy the enormous worldwide demand for practical, compact, 'green energy producing' manpowered chargers." Easy Energy is also in the process of launching YoGen … Read more