9v Altoid USB Charger

Just one more 9v USB charger!

Step 1 Materials

- Altoid tin
- 5v regulator
- Wire
- Small LED
- Soldier
- Female USB
- Epoxy (i used J.B. Weld)
- Small slide switch
- Tape

Comments

[DoctorDv]

I am working on a charger and i was wondering doesn't a 9v put off too much current and won't it damage an ipod?
-Doctordv

[Deanozaur]

I am just wondering, since most led's I have are 3.7 volts, using even five volts will eventually ruin the led. Could you email me or post a schematic of where to add a resistor to help lengthen the life of the led, so it doesn't melt? Also, I want to add a second, brighter led that is blue. How do I attach that to the same power source (the 9v battery) and use a different momentary switch? I saw a youtube video where the guy attached 2 leds and a usb all to the same power source. I'll give you the link so you can see what I'm talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVU2JmRpF58

If you could also answer the second question in an email or post a schematic, it would be much appreciated. I already have a 100 ohms resistor, and I already own all of the led's.

[dangerD]

Add the resistor to either the anode or cathode (either pin) of the LED.

[rryapolov]

Will this schematic work?

[brssnkl]

also check this post http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-get-your-iPod-to-charge-with-your-homemade-/

[brssnkl]

wire LED parallel not serial

[skaterdude243]

dude can you use an old computer female usb

[dudemanclc]

no der

[Deanozaur]

One comment says that the led has to be in parallel with the output, not in series. Can you tell me if that's true?

[ashishkapur]

can it charge psp , coz m not able 2 charge it even after putting it in usb mode with usb charge on........plz help!!!!!!!

[kane89]

the easiest way would to find a pin that fits in the charger port and put that on the end of the usb

[Wire54321]

mount 5v regulator using heat sink compound. BUT WARNING CASE MAY BE COME HOT!!! THANKS

[jinventive]

You shouldn't need a heatsink for this particular application because the voltage regulator is not regulating a very high voltage or a voltage in the high end of its operating range so it shouldn't, in theory, become very hot.

[computerwiz_222]

It won't become too hot. The only time one of these regulators will become unbearable is when you are dropping something like 30 volts down to 5. It will dissipate the excess voltage as heat.

[Chowmix12]

you can still bolt the regulator to the altoids tin. Its helpful because then there is less heat in the IC and it gives it better efficiency and higher amperage...

[hi111]

May I suggest scratching the surface around where you glued in the female usb connector with some sand paper.

It should give it something to grab on to.

[Mavamaarten]

Thanks !
I had some sort of weird voltage regulator without name, and I tried your schematic - didn't work. I swapped + and -, and I GOT 5 V !
Awesome :)
I soldered everything (I don't have altoids, I live in Belgium) and it worked like a charm. Thanks alot !

[knektek]

i would just use a 5v power supply ( 4 x aa rechargeable batteries as the supply) and add a diode to the positive terminal of the battery.

[olivier12125]

I got the female usb but there a red black green and yellow wires which ones should I use

[ktalex]

red is always positive and black is negative or ground always its the same.

[ERCCRE123]

i think red is positive or output and black is negative or ground

[Philsterrox322]

What tipe of wire, and what tipe of switch??

[Trickyager]

Single pull double throw switch.

[LinuxH4x0r]

This will probably fry your device. Don't try it!

[z3pplinn]

no.. it wouldn't the power of this thing doesn't even have the power to fry a toaster

[dude300]

it wont fry an ipod on the back it says 5-30 volts

[Yerboogieman]

it probably wont, unless its from the 90's

[tysonscott2002]

actually, it will fry it, it fried my zune. which was luckilly still under warranty.

[dudemanclc]

they are talking about ipods not zunes

[tysonscott2002]

yea? i know that dude, they charge on the same voltage, and the same amperage, learn it first. I've been building these for years. for a variety of devices, usb doesnt change.

[dudemanclc]

(insert smart alec reply here)

[Bran]

I can't seem to tell much of a difference, though I've only skimmed through both iBles. What's the reason this one will screw the device up?

[LinuxH4x0r]

I think its that it has too high current, but I'm not sure. I'd rather use the mintyboost.

[Bran]

Yeah, 500mA is max.

[LinuxH4x0r]

7805 puts out 1amp (1000mA)

[Bran]

Er....500mA is what most chargers put out....

[LinuxH4x0r]

No, I mean a 7805 regulator puts out 1A.

[zuixro]

1A max. The device will only draw what it needs. My iPod charger puts out a max of 1 amp, but I charge my cellphone and GPS off of it. In theory you could put two USB ports on it, but I wouldn't do that. Also, a 9v battery will probably not be able to put out 1amp, and certainly not for long.
Good pictures for this instructable though.

[guyfrom7up]

yep zuixro is right, but I just read the instructable and there's a problem with it. The led should be in parallel with the output, not in series. Doing it in the setup shown it'll either cause the led to blow up really fast (i'm not sure whenever people say leds blow up, they just smoke) or the output will only be limited to 30 ma (not likely since there's no resistor.

[computerwiz_222]

The device being charged will only draw what it needs. This charger won't work with ipod touch/ iphone. These devices detect USB packages and wont charge unless they are connected to a computer or pulled high (aka trick)