Introduction: Solar Powered Cell Phone Charger

About: I know I can change the world--one person at a time--with one random act of kindness at a time. Affecting the outcome of someone's day positively is one of the greatest accomplishments, and it's contagious.

Power you cell phone via the sun.

Step 1: Materials/Tools

You don't need much to get this project up and running. I actually bought everything I needed at Radio Shack, and will provide the SKUs for each item in case you want to do the same.

Solar Cell (I used a 6v 50mA one)
SKU: 277-1205
Project Box (I used a 5x2.5x2 and it fits perfectly but any small enclosed box that you can cut holes into will do fine)
SKU: 270-1803
12VDC Car Power Outlet Socket
SKU: 270-1556
Vecro (or your adhesive of choice)
SKU: 64-2345

You will also need a soldering iron (15 watt. SKU: 64-2051B), solder (62/36/2. SKU: 64-013), and something to cut 2 holes in the project box (I didn't have anything available designed specifically to cut holes, but I just used my CRKT knife and it worked fine)

Step 2: Cutting Holes

Remove the top of the project box. There are already 4 holes for the screws it comes with. Holding the top horizontally, cut a hole at either the left or right end in between the current holes. This will be used to put the solar cell's wires into the box.

The next hole will be cut in the bottom part of the project box. Standing the project box up vertically, the hole will be cut in the small square side that is facing up in the air. The hole needs to be big enough to have the 12VDC socket fit in, but small enough to keep it snug. Basically start small and keep testing to see if the socket fits. You can always make the hole bigger, but can't make it smaller...as easy.

Step 3: Assembly Before Soldering

Take your solar cell and pull the wires through the top of the project box. This should leave the solar cell resting on the top of it. Next take the 12VDC socket and pull the wires through the hole that you just made in the bottom of the project box and firmly push the socket into place.

Step 4: Time to Solder

With the wires through each hole, solder the red wire of the solar cell to the red wire of the 12VDC socket, and the black wire to the black wire.

Step 5:

Once this is done, place all the wires into the box and place the top on. Velcro the solar cell to the top of the box. And lastly screw the top of the box down.

I had to wait 2 days before the sun came out, but it was worth the wait. It charged my phone right up!