Set up a station and system for rechargeable batteries - PEP BB Nest.straw.Rechargables

My set-up and system for recharging household batteries utilizes a small solar set-up we installed for a vent fan on my back porch summer kitchen.

I recharge batteries with this system: 80-watt solar panel (on the roof), MPPT charge controller, 100-amp hour battery.

The charge controller has two USB outlets, perfect for recharging our phones and for the battery recharger.

Recharging 6 AAA rechargeable batteries.

Storage boxes for batteries and charger are kept next to our solar component manuals.

Labeled boxes for the charger, charged batteries, and batteries needing to be charged.

I set up a charging station for my power tools. I placed it on wire shelving in my basement. The air temperature doesn’t fluctuate much throughout the year and it’s nice and cool - so good for long term health of batteries. My garage on the otherhand, where I use my power tools, can be very hot in the summer and below freezing in the winter. The charger has a built in fan so placing it on a wire rack helps with air circulation. I used a cable tie so the plug is near the powerpoint. When not in use, I leave the charger unplugged. There are two clearly marked boxes, one for flat batteries and a second for charged batteries.

This probably isn't quite what you had in mind, but I didn't see a system size/capacity requirement.

Our home does not have power. (how do you take a before picture of that?) Honestly, we hardly notice it's absence (until I read of the wonders of various must-have kitchen appliances humanity has somehow survived without until now).
We do have some small conveniences we charge off portable battery banks that I charge in my car (sorry, I still have to drive for income-making, I'm not able to bicycle 40 miles and physical skills don't work over the internet).

We use some task lights in the kitchen (general lighting is oil lamps and jar candles but mostly sleeping early), a shower pump, another shower pump for transferring water between containers, and charging phones. The power banks have little charge level lights that indicate charged/not. Did I miss anything?

Ashley - there are no containers to label. Each power bank has a specific place of use, and built-in lights indicate time to rotate to car for charging. Will labeling place-of-use work?

Flat blue = kitchen
Fat blue = bathroom
Fat yellow = workshop
Thin grey = my phone
Thin black = guest room
Swift promo = Jeff's phone

Hi Alexa,

Please read the BB requirements:

- The location before you set up your station.  
- Your battery recharger in its station location. (This would be an edge case at best. It's not a station, you are moving the recharger to multiple locations)
- Batteries being recharged.
- Labeled containers for charged and uncharged batteries (There are no labels, as you have indicated, and it is required for the BB. The intention of this system is someone would be able to use this system on their own without verbal instructions)  

You have created a charging system. I do not see an indication of a charging station. Please see the above example of approved BBs for clarification.

Did you mean to submit the BB again or was your response meant to be a question?

Normally I don't keep batteries in an uncharged state. I had to dig for some containers to label for the purpose of this BB.

Here's some info about charging NiCad & NiMH batteries.

The indoor pic shows a radio charging along with some NiCad AA & AAAs for flashlights. Also shown is a converter plug for charging USB devices like the 2 power packs shown.

The outdoor pix shows my portable solar panel charging a USB flashlight/heater/power pack & a USB AA/AAA charger that can charge NiCads & NiMH batteries.

Test. I can't get bb to submit.

1. Recharging area before
2. Recharger set ub (4" black USB cable in 12v plug) and battery recharging
3. Labeled storage for charged/discharged batteries

Here is our new charging station.

clean shelf


Here is the charger plugged in by the shelf, charging batteries



Labeled  containers


more batteries

For this BB, I create a charging station on top of my large dog's kennel. It is in the corner of the room by a power supply, taking up space. Why not make it useful?

Had to sort out some batteries today and I was reminded of this badge bit.

I chose a shelf top out of direct sunlight near an outlet and plugged in a power strip with a switch.

Here's the location before.


Here's the location with the charging station setup. Currently charging a digital camera battery and a ryobi weed eater battery.


Unfortunately either those Makita batteries or the charger itself is no good... I need a friend with a compatible charger to find out.

This is really just incarnation 1 of this system and station... once I reorganize my office I have grand designs on a much more organized and fancified set-up. I really like the core idea.

To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are you must set up a rechargeable battery station & battery management system:
- Location to store and use the battery recharger
- A method of distinguishing charged from uncharged batteries.

To document this BB, post pictures or a 2-minute video depicting the following:
- The location before you set up your station.
- Your battery recharger in its station location.
- Batteries being recharged.
- Labeled containers for charged and uncharged batteries.

You know you’re a permie when:
You’re stoked to get rechargeable batteries for Christmas!