Solar powered LED watches / My current LED watch

[joshhorn]

I have some general questions about solar powered LED watches such as the one in the DWF forum header above. (First watch on the left)

1. Do they run completly off of solar power, or do they still require some sort of battery to work?

2. How long does the charge last before you need to venture out into the sun again?

3. How much do they run for these days? (price I mean)

I'm just curious as I wear my CompuChron LED watch all the time and it runs off of two batteries. I was told by my Father that they would last about a month possibly.

I put brand new batteries in it right after the 1st of Aug. Is my Dad mistaken about how long the batteries will last? - I get my SSI check every 1st of the month and I can atlest afford batteries for it.

I'm just curious because I love the watch I have, but if it is more cost-effective to get a solar powered LED watch... well you know.

Josh

[bucko170]

1. Do they run completely off of solar power, or do they still require some sort of battery to work?

2. How long does the charge last before you need to venture out into the sun again?

3. How much do they run for these days? (price I mean)

I'm just curious as I wear my CompuChron LED watch all the time and it runs off of two batteries. I was told by my Father that they would last about a month possibly.


I'm just curious because I love the watch I have, but if it is more cost-effective to get a solar powered LED watch... well you know.

Some of the other forum members will be able to give you more of an indepth answer but to start the ball rolling........

The first watch on the left is a Synchronar which use a solar panel to continually recharge two sealed batteries - The batteries should keep charged with normal wear, they will only lose their charge if they are left in a dark place (like a drawer) for a good number of weeks.

The price (eBay) has been steadily falling over the last year or so and working examples (reconditioned) have been selling for around the £500 mark.

The batteries in the Compuchron should be good for around 12 months - depending on usage. Silver oxide batteries last a little longer although they are slightly more expensive to buy.

[retroleds]

[
The batteries in the Compuchron should be good for around 12 months - depending on usage. Silver oxide batteries last a little longer although they are slightly more expensive to buy.

Silver oxides generally have 2-2.5X the amperage of the same size alkaline. Even more importantly, silver oxides hold almost maximum voltage until close to the end, then they crash and burn quickly - alkalines get steadily weaker, weaker,weaker. Get the silver oxides - you'll enjoy your watch longer between battery changes and you will be troubled the day they "suddenly" go flat on you; hopefully, you will at least pull out the old cells before they start to leak. Batteries start to leak after they are dead, due to ph change in their chemistry; i.e. alkaline batteries become acidic, acid batteries become alkaline....and it's hard to manufacture a container that can withstand both equally well.

[joshhorn]

Cool - Thanks for the help guys.

I feel better now that I know the batteries should last longer.

Anyway I'm still interested in buying a solar powered LED watch. What's a less expensive brand?

Thanks again!

Josh

[bucko170]

What's a less expensive brand?

There isn't one!!

It may be worth keeping a look out on eBay, the last one sold for around £700 but I am sure I have seen them sell for much less.

[richard_uk]

The son of the original maker still sells the Synchronar I believe, you could buy one from him, or you could set fire to the money for a similar result

[digibloke]

Hi Josh. You can buy 10 silver oxide 386 batteries on ebay for $4.95...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vinnic-S1142S-Silver-Oxide-Watch-Batteries-10pk-386-301_W0QQitemZ250356980747QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a4a705c0b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

That's 5 years supply at less than a dollar per year. If you're happy with your Compuchron (which is a mighty fine watch given that it's probably solid stainless steel, has a mineral crystal and is still working almost 40 years after it left the factory) then I'd stick with that if I were you.

Solar powered LEDs are great if you've got the time, money and know-how to maintain them but otherwise and from a practical point of view I'd stay well clear.