Solar Wiimote charger

After watching Shawn Blaszak of PS:one demonstrate solar charging a tv remote I was inspired to do something similar with my wiimotes.

http://vimeo.com/21704047
I'd recommend watching the video before reading the rest of this.

Materials :

• Solar cells - I used 2x 3v 50mA for each remote
• Rechargeable battery  - A couple of AA type would work but I had a wiimote one with connections on the outside.
• Diode - 100mA
• Wire
• Paper-clips or sturdy wire

Dock materials:

• Pine
• 22mm PVC water pipe

Tools :

• Power drill
• 40mm bit
• 22mm bit
• 5mm bit
• Wood saw
• Hack saw
• Soldering iron

Step 1 Plan

I wasn't sure if flexible solar cells could handle the kind of abuse wiimotes get so I'm using a dock and a rechargable battery pack I had already.

It may have been easier to add the solar panels to a bought usb charging dock, you get a good fit for the remote and won't have to spend ages getting the connectors to match.

Wood dock

The wii mote is D shaped, I don't have a router so to cut this so I used a power drill. For each wiimote socket I drilled three holes, the first two are 5mm with centres 15.5mm horizontal 12.5mm vertical from the centre of the 40mm centre to give edges as marked. The circle shaped gap allowed the cord to pass under the wiimote.

Note: I used soft pine and the 40mm spade bit went through it fine, However the two 5mm holes on the edge could well catch your 40mm bit so have care.

Check you socket against the wiimote, I needed a minute or two with a chisel to flatten a few edges.

In keeping with the wii I painted it white.