Portable USB Charger (Version 2.0)

The project name says it all. It is a device that will charge things like Ipods, PDAs, other other devices that plugs into a USB to charge.

Step 1 Supplies

The parts needed for this project are all in the second picture.

You will require:

LM or MC 7805 +5VDC Voltage Regulator
Type-A Female USB Port
100 UF Electrolytic Capacitor 10-50v
0.1-0.5 UF Capacitor  6-50v (any type would do)
150-160 ohm Resistor (optional)
9V Battery clip
2.2V 20mA LED color of your choice (optional)
Unprinted circuit board
ON/OFF Switch (optional)

These parts can be easily purchased at your local electronic store, like Radio Shack. Or you can buy them online at:
http://www.digikey.com

Regulator:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=LM7805CT-ND

USB port:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=151-1080-ND

100 uF Capacitor:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=P12392-ND

0.1 uF Capacitor:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=399-4151-ND

Comments

[davelectronic]

You need a heat sink to your 7805 regulator, add one silicone diode to ground to push the voltage up 0.5 volts or so, your design will drop below 5 volts.

Alternatively do away with the whole thing, use a 4 x AA battery holder for alkaline cells = 6 volts, forward bios i silicone diode to reduce to approx 5.2 volts and a lot more current, a 9 volts only about 70mA .

[kinclong2]

In your PCB, the middle pin of 7805 is the OUTPUT. That is WRONG. The correct one is that the middle is GROUND. You have a correct schematic diagram but WRONG PCB.

[bbeyzat]

where to find the board or what else we can do

[m1s73r]

I think you should add a heatsink to your "shopping list". The Voltage Regulator gets really hot, even if you insert it right.

[ik110]

Hi,
Iam very much interested in making the charger but iam a totally novice when it comes to PCB and itching and cutting them nor I have any knowledge of caps or resistors... can any one load video of the entire process please >>>>

[m1s73r]

So, first of all I think making this charger isn't a good idea for you, because this is a little bit harder as maybe other Projects. You should start with something easier, with less electric parts.

The PCB isn't really necessary because you can also use a breadboard or something. I use a perfboard and it works great.

Caps (capacitors) can store energy for a time, such as your computer does.
Resistors are like a dam, they stop the energy or convert it to heat.

I hope I could help you a little

[idsonic]

pls can i get every thing about this project? including the write up

[idsonic]

pls can i get every thing about this project? including the write up

[gemimile]

it would be very helpful if you post different views of the pcb design, like copper plate view, components side view, just to prevent people from confusions

[abains]

project is failiure as im getting low current at output about 250ma not enough for charging even a low powered device

[idsonic]

i'm a computer hardware studentent, i want to write my project, and i'l b glad if any1 can help me with a complete project on either a usb charger or usb battery charger, or any kind of project u tink it'l b better 4 me to construct lyk: usb speaker, usb slpitter, usb hub , any tin. or getting the full details on this 1 usb charger.

[markee2]

Thnx for the project, really nice and easy to construct!!
i have seen also same schematic as yours.


http://www.simple-electronics.com/2011/08/usb-charger-circuit.html

[tdobbins1]

In a project like this one. They said to connect the 2 data pins on the usb so it can trick the phone to charge. Do you know any thing about if that is true or what will happen if you connect them?

[mathdroid]

thank you for this great instructable. i have a little question, by the way. is there a way to amplify the output current? cause it doesn't seem to be able to charge my phone.

[GoodAtIt]

These regulators are only rated up to 1A current. You need to check the voltage of the output while you have the phone plugged in. If its close to 5v, then you need to modify the data lines using resistors. If its way below 5v, then consider a alternate design using a more powerful battery and a regulator.

[Crazy Electrum]

First time with something like this. But would this work? Or no. Idk much about electronic circuits.

[dawsonj]

hey thanks for this, I made one and I also came up with a better idea:

[Euticus]

Some regulators REQUIRE a cap on the output to guarantee stability. Check the datasheet.

[dawsonj]

then this wiring diagram would REQUIRE you to buy a stability guaranteed regulator ; )

[snowluck2345]

not gonna work, 6 volts is too low for a 5 volt regulator, epsicialy once the batteries get down to 4 volts

[dawsonj]

errr...
that picture was supposed to have a 9 volt battery but I must have messed up somehow. oh well!

[emaylas]

cani change the battery x4 aa bateries to 9volts batt ?

[dawsonj]

yes. it doesn't really matter, but if you want to use the battery's full "energy", this is not a very good way to make one. the 5 volt regulator just wastes the other 4 volts as heat, so its as if you were charging something that was 9 volts instead of 5.
its really good for a quick charge, though, but be sure not to leave the battery in when you aren't using it.

[emaylas]

it works ?? ...

[dawsonj]

hmmm. very much the same question, but with less question marks!
yes! of course!

[emaylas]

it works ????????

[froggyman]

While that will work, it will not give you protection from voltage jumps. Thats what the caps are there for.

[meshein]

For a 6 volt input, where would capacitors go? and what type of caps are needed?

[froggyman]

It doesn't really matter what caps you use, in reality you don't even need them... they are just a nice to have as a little "surge protector" for the voltage as the caps help regulate this voltage by storing and releasing when necessary. Plus they are cheap and could potentially save the device you have hooked up to this.

You can *NOT* use a 6 volt input for the 7805 5V regulator as that regulator needs to have atleast 7 volts to work well. I'm not sure what input you are planning to use, but depending on your space something like two 6v lantern batteries in series (have one of the batteries positive + terminal connected to the other batteries negative - and use the remaining for your power of 12 v ) or you could use 6-8 AA batteries for your power source for the regulator.

[tobyscool]

Help i cant charge my ipod nano 5th gen and i already put resistors on pins 2 and 3 and when i turn it on these things happend

1.battery heats up
2.voltage regulator also heats up
3. it doesn't charge
the battery i used is Energizer max
PLS HELP ME :(

[Euticus]

You may have reversed connections at the USB connector. Facing the open end of the connector, the leftmost pin is +5 and the rightmost is ground (or negative).

[GoodAtIt]

You probably either have your main capacitor backwards or the regulator backwards. Does the regulator heat up without anything plugged in? If it does, then it is most likely backwards or defective. Make sure to test the voltage output with a multimeter before attempting to charge your device.

[tobyscool]

it doesn't heat up without any battery
and the that i tried to charge DS lite and ipod nano 5th gen

oh and also im new on electronics and i dont know how to use a multimeter but i can read schematics because im a kid :P im 11

[ckhik]

Tried this circuit and got fed up with it. I even wired the usb port wrongly and sorta damaged it somehow lol. Well anyway i manage to got mine working with only the 5V regulator and usb port.

To be honest you don't even need the capacitors and resistors. Just wire it up the regulator like normal without the extra components and measure it to make sure it's producing 5V then the most important part

MAKE SURE YOU CONNECT BOTH data+ and data- TOGETHER

i have tried this with iphone 4 and it chargers.

i have another circuit that involves x2 2.5vdc solar cells connected in series and this also chargers the iphone.

I plan to modify this circuit to charge using solar cell and also use the solar cells to charge a 9v rechargeable batt. Of course this circuit comes with a cutt off feature to prevent over charge

[Euticus]

Do the d+ and d- lines have to be pulled up to any particular voltage-or just tied together?

[recuat]

do you have the actual circuit ? I HAVE BEEN MAKE THE CIRCUIT FOR THE IPHONE 4 BUT IT CANNOT CHARGE, PLEASE ADVICE. THANKS........................

[GoodAtIt]

Please read the data sheet for the regulator your planning to use. Most of them requires a capacitor before and after the regulator to dampen voltage spikes when the circuit is switched on and off. It'll run fine without the capacitors but it may reduce the life of the regulator.

[_Scratch_]

I need to drop 2 12 volt batteries in parallel down to 5 volts, but the current is 10 amps.... Would this regulator be able to take 10 amps? Because I wouldnt think it would.... any other ways to regulate it to 5 volts?

[Euticus]

No-not without adding circuitry. If you check the datasheet, it has suggested circuits for high current applications.

[chosenangelx]

Can the LM7805 regulaotr be replaced with the RB1585M regulator? sorry.. im noob with electronics...
thanks,
-R