How to make a Solar USB charger! (simple!)

Step 3 Time to solder!

Now look at the picture below. You need to solder the Diode to the red wire from the solar panel then the red wire from your extension cable to the diode. That was the hardest part in this tutorial! now just solder the black wire from the solar panel to the Extension cable and your done soldering!
Now, just cover those spots in electrical tape. and your almost done!

Comments

[clayjar]

Is it possible to increase the current in a setup like this? I get about 12 mA, which probably isn't much compare to 850 mA through the charger from the wall outlet. I would imagine it would take forever to actually charge up a phone. I've tried this set up with a USB (type A, female) for an Android phone, and I have yet to test it out on a full daylight, but testing it from an indoor lamp, I do get a "Charging" status on the phone, but just waking up the phone to check the status seems to be draining the battery because I saw the battery going from 87% to 86%... anyway, I need to test this little more, probably with the phone off.

[MadScientist101]

you should put a 5v voltage reg to stop spikes killing your usb devicae

[setsunafseiei]

Although the circuit is simple enough, it'd be nice to have "magnified" images around the soldered parts. I've studied electronics but never soldered before and I for one would be interested in how the end result looks like. Still, a nice green little project.

[Pale_Flyer]

your soldier joint could look like you just painted the joint with very very shiny sliver paint. you should be able to see the wires in the soldier, too much, or a "cold joint" and you waste your time/soldier. a cold joint is when the two+ components (wires in this case) were too cool when soldier was applied. relatively easy fix. just reheat joint till soldier wicks in.

[dabomb1022]

OK I added the circuit.

[setsunafseiei]

Thanks bro~

[dabomb1022]

If I have time I'll make a picture of the circuit in paint

[thecrimsonv]

hey, i assembled this according to the schematic but it does not work. any ideas what i might have done wrong. its really a simple device, so im wondering how i might have messed it up

[Pale_Flyer]

reverse the diode. they are polar, and so if it is backwards... no power goes through = open circuit= no charge.

[meissler]

Sorry for the dumb question, but what does the diode do that regular wires can't?

[M4industries]

 They are all wrong. A diode stops the flow of current one way. This prevents you from destroying whatever is being charged. The cell phone or iPod doesn't like reverse polarities. They are talking about resistors.

[ReCreate]

Lower voltage...

[meissler]

could you just use a resistor then?

[iphydeauxi]

You could, but the voltage would vary based on load of the device you are charging.  The .5v drop of a diode is more precise.

[ReCreate]

No...

[meissler]

care to explain or should I stop wasting your precious time?

[ReCreate]

The Diode...Somehow...Lowers the voltage untill it reaches 5V, Whop de do! Amasing huh?

[splatterpaintballer]

I have no idea how you could be considered a "pro" when you dont even know the function of a diode. A diode allows a current to flow in only one direction. It does nothing to lower the voltage.

[iphydeauxi]

A diode only allows current to flow one way, but has a .5v cost for this function.

[ReCreate]

*facepalm* i know that.
Also, Do you even know what the pro thing in my avatar means?

[dabomb1022]

The diode makes it so the solar panel can send power to the USB cable but it can't go back out to the solar panel.

[ryanpringle]

will it still work if the solar panel isnt 6v?

[iphydeauxi]

Has to be at least 6v, but your circuit becomes more complex if you go over.  That's when you start needing voltage regulators and resistors.

[FingolfiNtp]

Which side of the diode do you connect to the solar panel? Anode or cathode? thanx

[iphydeauxi]

The white band (cathode if I remember) goes toward the cable if on the positive side.  If you put it on the negitive wire, the band goes to the panel.  It doesn't matter which wire it goes on.

[gazzlo]

Hey DaBomb- black Electrical tape is meant to be stretched out before taping up a project. This activates the polymer it's made of and almost melts back to itself after a while, creating a stronger bond and better sealing. try it out next time you need to tape, and you'll be surprised at how awesome that black tape works!

[dabomb1022]

 Thanks :)

[Jaber70]

nice n simple....thanx bro

[killabreath]

Which side of the diode do you connect to the solar panel?

[reno91]

bout how much does it cost

[dabomb1022]

Around $15-$20 the solar panel costs a lot

[dark sponge]

That's because you got it at Radioshack. Buy it online for a quarter of the price.