DIY Solar USB Charger - Altoids

Step 5 Wire Up The Solar

First, we're going to wire up our solar panel. 

I like to connect my 1N914 diode directly to the solar panel.  When soldering make sure the black bar on the 1N914 diode is point away from the solar cell.  The black bar is the negative side and prevents power backflow.  If we put it in wrong we're going to prevent power from flowing into our circuit!

Then attach a long wires to both the diode and negative tab on your solar cell.

Then tape it up for protection.

Comments

[granolabar]

How would I wire the diode if I were to solder two 4V panels together in parallel? I'm trying to get a setup with two sets of 2 rechargeable batteries, and two solar panels.

[JoshuaZimmerman]

Put the diode between the solar positive input and the battery pack.

Two solar positives together, then the diode off of them.