Here's a real quick and easy tutorial on making a "Portable Solar Phone Charger", it only took me 5 minutes to make one! It's powered by PURE solar energy. The device is designed to fit right into your pocket, it also comes with a built-in stand! Works with apple devices (tested on iPod Touch and Quadcore Android Phone)
How Does It Work?
- Solar powered chargers and powerbanks are pretty common these days. These devices usually have battery reservoirs inside them, to cut it short they are not 100% solar powered so as being eco-friendly. These products are gimmicks, they defeat the purpose of being 100% green and eco-friendly. My DIY tutorial will teach you how to make a "100% PURE Solar Phone Charger". Feel free to be independent from the power grid :D
My Review: (Pure Solar vs. Solar+Battery)
100% Pure Solar: (Pros) 100% Pure Solar: (Cons)
- 100% eco-friendly - Can only charge devices during day
- No need for charging internal bat. - May Not Work with TABLETS (High Amp. Devices)
- Independent From The Power Grid - Ideal for outdoor use (where sunlight is present)
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Solar Power Bank (w/battery): (Pros) Solar Power Bank (w/battery): (Cons)
- Can charge high power devices anywhere - Conatains Lion Batteries (limited lifespan 1-2 years)
- Doesn't need sunlight (internal battery) - Not Completely Eco-friendly
- Takes a long time to charge internal battery
How Does It Work?
- Solar powered chargers and powerbanks are pretty common these days. These devices usually have battery reservoirs inside them, to cut it short they are not 100% solar powered so as being eco-friendly. These products are gimmicks, they defeat the purpose of being 100% green and eco-friendly. My DIY tutorial will teach you how to make a "100% PURE Solar Phone Charger". Feel free to be independent from the power grid :D
My Review: (Pure Solar vs. Solar+Battery)
100% Pure Solar: (Pros) 100% Pure Solar: (Cons)
- 100% eco-friendly - Can only charge devices during day
- No need for charging internal bat. - May Not Work with TABLETS (High Amp. Devices)
- Independent From The Power Grid - Ideal for outdoor use (where sunlight is present)
___________________________________________________________________________________
Solar Power Bank (w/battery): (Pros) Solar Power Bank (w/battery): (Cons)
- Can charge high power devices anywhere - Conatains Lion Batteries (limited lifespan 1-2 years)
- Doesn't need sunlight (internal battery) - Not Completely Eco-friendly
- Takes a long time to charge internal battery
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Signing UpStep 1: Tools & Materials
The links below are just alternatives since the stores where I bought my parts where just available localy in the Philippines. When converted into PHP to USD the price of my spendings would become $5! It's real cheap. The solar panel only cost me $3.
Materials: (Click on the link to see where to buy)
- 6V Mini Solar Panel
- 5V Step-Up/ Inverter USB Charger Circuit ($3 @dx.com)
- Your Smartphone (for testing)
- Your Phone's Charger Cable (Interchangable)
- Flexible and Foldable Plastic Card (for stand)
Tools:
- Hot Glue Gun
- 30W Soldering Iron
- Leatherman Multitool
Materials: (Click on the link to see where to buy)
- 6V Mini Solar Panel
- 5V Step-Up/ Inverter USB Charger Circuit ($3 @dx.com)
- Your Smartphone (for testing)
- Your Phone's Charger Cable (Interchangable)
- Flexible and Foldable Plastic Card (for stand)
Tools:
- Hot Glue Gun
- 30W Soldering Iron
- Leatherman Multitool
Step 3:
The USB charger circuit came from a cheap old iPod USB charger. The main chip is similar to the well known MAXIM inverter chip. The circuit is a step-up/ step-down regulator, meaning when the power supply is underpowered it tends to boost the voltage but when the power supply is overpowered it limits the output voltage. It's ideal for solar powered purposes.
Steps:
1st.) Dissemble a 12V High Power USB Charger.
2nd.) Cut the wires, short enough to be mounted on the solar panel.
3rd.) Solder the charger circuit to the solar panel (Adding a switch is optional).
4th.) Use a hot glue gun to mount the charger to the solar panel.
5th.) Be sure that the USB port is not protruding and the circuit should not touch any other leads on the panel.
Steps:
1st.) Dissemble a 12V High Power USB Charger.
2nd.) Cut the wires, short enough to be mounted on the solar panel.
3rd.) Solder the charger circuit to the solar panel (Adding a switch is optional).
4th.) Use a hot glue gun to mount the charger to the solar panel.
5th.) Be sure that the USB port is not protruding and the circuit should not touch any other leads on the panel.
Step 4: Adding The Foldable Stand (optional)
I recycled an old gaming prepaid card and bent it with a ruler. I also hot glued it to the right side of the solar panel.
Step 5: You're Done!
Now enjoy being completely independent from the power grid. I forgot to tell you that I have an interchangeable USB charger cable for Apple 30 pin, Micro USB, Mini USB, Samsung, Motorola, and Nokia, you can find one in your local dollar store.
You can now carry your own personal solar powered charger anywhere. It's also a perfect survival kit since sunlight never runs out :)))) Have fun! :D
You can now carry your own personal solar powered charger anywhere. It's also a perfect survival kit since sunlight never runs out :)))) Have fun! :D
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do you know if you of these parts could be bought online?
I am totally new to this stuff :) Can someone please tell me if it is meant to use the disassembled usb circuit or one of the things in the picture on this page? Or I am to somehow use both? Thanks so much for helping me to understand!! :)
It doesn't work with my Iphone 4s and my ipod touch...
Please let me know where did you buy the items locally in the Philippines. I would like to know. Thank you.
Hi, great instructable! question. does the voltage monitor screen turn off or does it constantly stay on? because I would like to just press it if I can and it appears for a few seconds and turns off, to conserve power.
Solar Panel P120 cdrking fairview
Solar Panel P120 cdrking fairview
Can i also use this solar panel?
http://www.buyincoins.com/item/36543.html
How long does it take to reach full charge in optimal conditions? Will this also work for android phones? Does the step-up inverter boost charging time?
I didn't realize that my last solar projects were unconsciously inspired by your project of one year ago, indeed I had it in my favorites :-) but I didn't remember that! Well done, awesome project!
I did a very, very simple version of this, by simply gluing a Powerbank to the back of a 4.5 V solar panel. The output from the solar panel goes into the Powerbank, and then when I want to charge something, I unplug the panel from the Powerbank, and plug my device in. However, I feel it's not charging properly, and also, I want to find a way to put a display of the power output on it. Any suggestions?
Do you have the booster circuit installed?
I connected the side part of a 12V car charger to the negative on one panel, and the tip of the charger to the positive on the other panel. When I tested the voltage on a USB cord, I got -5V. But ordinarily I think it is supposed to show +5V. Do I need to switch the wires to make this work correctly?
http://www.smarthome-products.com/productspecs/LZ605-Manual.pdf
thanks
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- Solar panel (6V?) +
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| super cap, blocking diode |
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| switch, for less leaking current when not charging USB
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- your "12v" to usb module +
U=(1/f) * {I*dt} (capacitor formula)
I = U*f/t (asuming integral {I*dt} = I*t
E=U*I*t
E=U*U*F= 5.4^2*F
E= U*I*t = 5*1.3*3600 (my battery has 1300mAh, is 1.3 ampere for 3600 seconds/1 hour)
5.4^2*F=5*1.3*3600
F=802
Legenda:
U=voltage, F=capacity, I=current, dt=infinitdecimal time, t=time, E=energy,
No need for formulas, well the capacitors acts as a small-time power line filter. For the Rectifier Diodes, the 1N4007, is a cheap & reliable 1A diode.
Thank youuuu