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I respect your opinion, but I don't ever want to recharge my headphones or change batteries.
by blackguardx 11y ago
I respect your opinion, but I don't ever want to recharge my headphones or change batteries.
- Natanael_L 11y agoGiven that AM radios can be powered by the radio waves, I'll bet small headphones can be powered by small solar cells.
- donatj 11y agoI believe you are talking about crystal radios, where the max volume is a whisper and the sound quality is like a tin can. Above that, it requires a wire stretched several meters to operate, which doesn't scream portable.
- Natanael_L 11y agoThey'll be in your ears, so volume isn't the problem. And the sun will likely provide more energy than AM radio unless you're next to the transmitter, even for small solar cells.
- throwanem 11y agoIf they're in my ears, how do they have sufficient cell surface area and incidence angle? Do I have antennae sticking out the sides of my head like a 1950s movie alien?
- Natanael_L 11y ago20 mW average maximum available power supply for headphones. Add some for the circuitry and radio, I bet you can manage at 500mW. 1368 W/m^2 solar energy on earth on average, or 0.137 W/mm^2 = 137 mW/mm^2. Let's assume 15% solar cell efficiency, so you'll get 20 mW/mm^2 out. 500mW / 20 mW/mm^2 = 25 mm^2. That's how large cells it be exposed to the sun. Cover both the headphones and cables, and you'll be able to charge any batteries enough to survive the night.
- throwanem 11y agoYou started out talking about wireless headphones. What cables?
- Natanael_L 11y agoBetween your earbuds.
- blackguardx 11y agoThat sounds like solar roadways.