HYmini: Hybrid wind and PV-powered storage
Reviewed by Robert Pritchett
![](Hymini_files/image001.png)
Minwiz Sustainable Energy Dev. Ltd
270 Zhong Shiao E Rd. Sec 5. 2F
Suite 2
Hsin Yi district
Tapei 110, Taiwan, R.O.C.
+886(2) 8786 7675
contact@hymini.com
http://www.hymini.com/html/HYmini.html#detail_1
Released: October,
2007
$50 USD http://www.hymini.com/eshop/index.html
or $70 USD with miniSOLAR panel and armband. |
![](Hymini_files/image002.png)
![](Hymini_files/image003.jpg)
|
Comes with: HYmini, AC adapter, USB transfer cable, cellphone adapters and fanfold
instruction manual.
60-day limited warranty.
Storage temperatures are between -20C and 45C.
Strengths: LED
Light, portable power generator and recharger. Holds charge for up to 2
weeks. Functional, yet fun.
Weaknesses: Windpower does not fully charge the unit. Slow charging and limited number of
charge cycles (500).
Video Review
Portable Renewable Energy
|
Introduction
Developed by Arthur Huang, the HYmini is a handheld,
universal charger/adapter device that harnesses renewable wind power/solar
power and conventional wall plug power to recharge almost all 5 Volt digital
gadgets.
Power sources: wallwart, USB outlet, miniSOLAR panel (up to 4 panels may be used) or
wind-powered generator recharges an internal 1200mAH lithium-ion to recharge
cellphones, MP3 players, iPods, PDA, digital cameras, etc.
MINIWIZ follows the design criteria for the “Golden Ratio” - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio
The HYmini is designed to capture wind power between 14.5
kph (9 mph) and 48 kph (30 mph). Maximum capacity is set at 65 kph (40mph)
beyond which the extra energy cannot be converted.
Based on Miniwiz's uninterrupted 30 kph (19 mph) wind tunnel
test, 20 minutes charge time provides
40 minutes on MP3 players,
40 minutes on PDA,
30 minutes on iPods,
4 minutes on
a 3G mobile, or
20 pictures on camera.
Dimensions: 134 mm (5.4 inches) height x 87.5 mm (3.4
inches) width x 33.5 mm (1.3 inches) thick
Weight: 100 grams or 3.2 ounces
Input: 5 Volts DC, 1 Amp
Output: 5 Volts DC, 300 to 850 milliamps
Battery recharge cycle: 500 complete charge cycles at
1000mAh. 4-hour recharge using the wallwart. The unit has a safety circuit to
prevent overcharging.
The miniSOLAR panels are made with cardboard, so don’t get
them wet. MINIWIZ calls the units “Solar batteries” and not solar panels. The
HYmini can only accept up to .7W MAX via the DC input jack and is why only four
panels may be connected in series.
Dimensions: 160mm (6.3 inches) height x 80mm (3.1 inches)
width x 9mm (.3 inches) thick
Output
current: 140 milliamps MAX
Output voltage: 5 Volts DC MAX
Avoid fire and high heat conditions.
Wind generation is limited to 1Watt maximum capacity.
The USB adapters that are thoughtfully provided fit the iPod
and the mobile phones from Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and LG.
A silicon rubber strap covers the power jack, LED power
indicator (red is charging, green is charged) and USB 2.0 jack. The slide
switch is a 3-way, with the two LED lights (flashlight mode) to the right, OFF
being in the center and “battery charging devices” to the left.
![](Hymini_files/image005.png)
The Bike Holder is a nice idea, but the screw holding the
black piece to the holder was out too far and scratched the holder where it
slides in. I didn’t get the Armband.
A car window mount is being designed.
The HYmini is considered to be weatherproof, but not water
resistant, so don’t try to recharge on your bike or while running when it is
raining.
The propeller of the wind turbine is flexible and stops
easily so children (or adults) will not cut themselves on the blades. There is
another mini LED indicator light that comes on inside the windcone, when the
propeller is turning fast enough to be charging.
Conclusion
If you literally want to wear “Green” on your sleeve or swap
out the pinwheel on your bike or just hold one of these in your hand when the
wind is going faster than 9 miles per hour, you might enjoy having one of these
units.
If you want to show off solar technology, then run a few
solar panels in series to get a charge out of the HYmini device.
If you want to learn to appreciate just how much power is
needed to run your portable devices, using one of the recharging methods
(besides the wallwart) provides a quick lesson on how long it takes to do the
job.
Recommendation
The USB adapters alone make this worth the purchase price.
This is a fun conceptual instrument for demonstrating alternative energy
solutions. By the way, the HYmini is precharged at the factory and a paper
strip comes printed with when it was done. I like that kind of attention to
detail and I expect to see more innovative “Green” devices from MINIWIZ.