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In this instructable I am going to show you how to make a solar usb charger from old garden lights
With that charger you can charge every device that uses the usb port to charge like : (mp3 player, iphone,psp's etc.)
(In my solar charger i put some led's to be able to use it as a torch)
With that charger you can charge every device that uses the usb port to charge like : (mp3 player, iphone,psp's etc.)
(In my solar charger i put some led's to be able to use it as a torch)
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Signing UpStep 1What you will neeed
1) two solar panels from garden lights
2) 4AA rechargable baterys
3) 4AA baterry holder
4) one female usb connector
5) a small button
6) a case
7) some wires
8) three 3.6v led's
9) two 1n5817 blocking diodes
10) one dpdy 6 pin push switch
11) one 150 ohm resistor
2) 4AA rechargable baterys
3) 4AA baterry holder
4) one female usb connector
5) a small button
6) a case
7) some wires
8) three 3.6v led's
9) two 1n5817 blocking diodes
10) one dpdy 6 pin push switch
11) one 150 ohm resistor
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but if you want try it with the 1n4007 diode and tell me if it works!
thanks
First, you're getting a max of 5V. 2.5 + 2.5. Thats a max potential of 5V. You're only going to get that during the summer, at noon, with a clear sky. The other 99% of the time you're going to be under 5V.
With solar you always want to over shoot for power. Big 12V charging systems have solar cells with a max output of 18-22V, so that even in poor conditions you're still getting the 12V you need.
The other problem is that you've got 4.8V of battery being charged by a max of 5V of solar. To charge up 4.8V of battery you're going to want at least 6V worth of power going to the batteries, otherwise you're going to be waiting for a very very long time for them to charge.
Lastly, USB is 5V. Your batteries only put out 4.8V. A lot of gadgets won't charge from it. In fact newer iPhones (3GS and 4) won't charge from this setup because they require special USB settings to work. Believe me, I've tried.
A better solution, one that uses less batteries, is to use a boosting circuit. This way you can use two batteries and boost them up to 5V. You can buy them off the internet for under $10. This way you could also use your 5V of solar to charge 2.4V of battery (2 AAs).
and about the battery:each battery sais that puts out 1.2v but mines put aou 1.36 so 1.3*4=5.2volts and becouse my batterys are ratted 2000mha can charge up to 3 devices
and also if anyone wants to charge and iphone ipod etc. can put a 10k diode in the data+ and data- and trust me it works on my iphone 3g
3 devices? That all depends on how big the batteries are in the 3 devices you're charging. I was under the impression that iPhones had batteries that were over 1000 mah, which means your charger would charge up one at best. That is if your voltage doesn't drop to an unusable level.
Also, while your iPhone may work fine NEWER iPhones, those being the 3GS and 4, will most certainly NOT work with this setup. A 10K resistor to the data ports may work for newer phones. May.
and about the 10k resistor i tested the charger to a frient iphone 4 and belive me or not it works :P
Thank's
remember that if you have big solar panels it may work :D