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Create A Solar iPhone and USB Charger

video Create A Solar iPhone and USB Charger

http://www.solartechtown.com

In this video Robert Smith shows you how to put together a simple solar usb charger that is capable of charging devices like iPhones, iPods, cell phones, mp3 players, and other usb powered devices.

Robert also shows you other places where you can purchase or build your own portable usb solar charger.

For any questions, please visit http://www.solartechtown.com and visit Robert's forums and open a new thread.

8 comments

Sep 25, 2011. 8:55 AMalphaman1101 says:

Hate to burst your bubble. But if a charger is designed to output its power via usb, then an Iphone/ipod can and will charge by it. Usb is designed with 5V, and approx. 500ma, the only way that it wouldn't charge is if it only puts out 150ma, which you wouldn't want to use it anyway.

Dec 11, 2011. 7:11 PMefahrenholz says:

Actually, I hate to bust YOUR bubble, but iPhones past iPhone generation 1 will not accept a charge from powered USB that doesn't supply a specific voltage across the data pins. You can plug away, but it will not charge!

Jul 4, 2011. 2:11 AMjmar71n says:

Is it OK to use a standard car USB adapter as the voltage from the solar panel will rarely be 12v?

Nov 23, 2011. 9:32 AMmcarrell says:

You don't need 12 V to make a phone charger using USB work. All car chargers for phones using USB regulate the 12 V down to 5 V which is the standard power level for USB, thus, if you only had 10 V, or 8 V, or 6 V even, the charger should still work..... So don't worry too much about the voltage of the panel, unless it drops below 5V.

My experience is that panels sold for 12V purposes are actually anywhere from 16 to 21 V at maximum sun exposure so they do build in quite a bit of leeway to ensure that a 12 V panel will actually put out at least 12 V under most conditions including overcast.

Jun 24, 2011. 10:03 PMkw343k says:

Way cool video! Keep up the great work.

Sep 30, 2010. 4:27 PMlaserguy555 says:

Brilient, though... why didn't you just hook up the charger with the aligator clips? You know what, I guess its easier that way. Well, thanks for the cool idea. Ill probably build it.

Jul 4, 2010. 4:47 PMblackghost says:

why didnt u just attach the alligator clips directly to the usb charger?

Apr 1, 2010. 6:42 PMhaunted_lady says:

Excellent presentation :) Good ideas. Just to let you know why people make their own stuff on instructable.com has not a lot to do with price of items and a lot to do with being a genius and being independent of buying and practincing the ability to make things. Anyone can buy stuff but being able to make things is what is amazing! Skillz can come in handy...
You are awesome at vide at presentation!
Better than tv! Waaaay better :)