Like I mentioned before, these things are for folks with $0 income! Currently, churches are their only hope of getting things like this, toilet paper, etc.
Since many don't have A/C, they commonly have to deal with 90 degree plus inside temps! A 12v fan is a luxury for them!
So... the "barter system" has come back into vogue in a BIG way!
If I can make several of these types of things (from recycled/discarded electronic devices) to help as many as possible, it helps more than just that person. It also helps the churches, who are barely able to keep those people in batteries and toilet paper! Let alone paying a power bill from the local electric co-op.
For example: I have 2-3 friends that save their aluminum cans for me. Also, whenever I am able to "cruise" the local back roads in my wheelchair, I collect them. Usually within a month to 6 weeks, a friend takes them to the recycling center & cashes them in. He then pays my $8 per month phone bill for me!
I am on Life Alert. This requires an active phone line, and uses a 9v "wall-wart". HOWEVER, local Social Services, electric company, help centers, cannot and DO NOT keep up. I'm not allowed to even make the $8 to pay a monthly phone bill, let alone the average $20-$25 per month to keep my electric on, or keep my wheelchair charged! I know there may be plenty of comments on this, and suggestions, but basically "our system is broke, or not able to keep up". I feel very lucky I'm able to have the luxuries of a small solar powered system, and can use a computer, and have found two internet providers with 10 hours each per month free!
In fact, this took too long. I found 4 7809's in fried H.F. controllers! I had a question on wiring them up, but my times up. Hopefully tomorrow!
Thanks to all again!
and yet again, having problems uploading picture. File name not shown in list.
http://www.otherpower.com/images/scimages/9063/7809_reg.jpg