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Step 15Possible modifications
The solar panel has worked great for me for the past month. AA batteries are charged in a day or two and the plastic cover has so far protected the cells. Minty Boost works to charge my phone with the AA batteries. (I had to splice together my cell phone connector to a USB connector.) By unscrewing the cover, I was even able to resolder the diode to the connector wire after it came free somehow. I also fashioned a jumper out of a paper clip to let me charge just one battery. (The jumper fits in the second battery's place in the battery holder.)
With some time, I'd like to improve the solar panel by adding a logic circuit to prevent overcharging my batteries. Also, I'd really like to leave the panel outside permanently and have the batteries inside, which would be convenient and would protect the batteries from temperature extremes. So far, I've been taking the panel and batteries outside when good weather is predicted and bringing them in during bad.
With a little work, this panel design should scale up to charge 12-volt batteries or perhaps an external laptop battery.
With some time, I'd like to improve the solar panel by adding a logic circuit to prevent overcharging my batteries. Also, I'd really like to leave the panel outside permanently and have the batteries inside, which would be convenient and would protect the batteries from temperature extremes. So far, I've been taking the panel and batteries outside when good weather is predicted and bringing them in during bad.
With a little work, this panel design should scale up to charge 12-volt batteries or perhaps an external laptop battery.
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You can get nice cheap solar cells at the electronic goldmine http://www.goldmine-elec.com/. I just ordered 4 of their small cells last week and they are in perfect condition even though it states "may have chipped edges".