Charge Your Phone With a Car Battery (6V-24V)

Intro: Charge Your Phone With a Car Battery (6V-24V)

Charging your smartphone while camping outside is not always easy. I am showing you how to charge your phone by using a car battery and a moped battery. You can also use the gadget with any kind of 6V-24V power source.

STEP 1: Watch the Video!

The video already talks about the most important facts. But I will also give you some more informations about the project in the next steps.

STEP 2: It Is Time to Choose Your Circuit!

You may have noticed that I build 2 cicuits inside this gadget, which basically have the same function. But they have their own pros and cons:

LM7805:

+ very simple, perfect for beginners

+ very cheap

+ useful when you only need a little current

- efficiency is horrible with higher voltages (24V --> 21%--> becomes a heater)

(12V --> 42%--> not nice)

LM2576:

- more complex circuit

- more parts, more costs

+ efficiency is quite good for a DIY phone charger (around 80%)

You can decide which one you want to use or maybe you build both. It is up to you.

STEP 3: The Simple Way: LM7805!

Get your parts here (affiliate links):

Ebay:

LM7805:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Capacitor Kit:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Amazon.de:

LM7805: http://amzn.to/1rFtsve

Capacitor Kit: http://amzn.to/1vEZGGc

You only need 3 parts for this circuit. If you got all the parts then follow the schematic to create your circuit. Feel free to store your new gadget in an awesome case.

STEP 4: The Efficient Way: LM2576!

Get your parts here (affiliate links):

LM 2576 (be sure to get the 5V version, there also exists an adjustable one):http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Capacitor kit:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Schottky Diode:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Coil: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

This circuit requires 5 parts. But it is still pretty cheap and creating the circuit should be fairly easy.

STEP 5: Combine the Circuits and Make a Case!

If you decided to build both circuits and you want to combine them in one awesome case like me, then get your parts and follow the schematic.

Case+PCB:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Rotary switch:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Binding post:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Green LED 5mm:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

DC switch:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

STEP 6: Success!

I hope your new gadgets works great and you enjoyed this project.

Feel free to check out my Youtube channel for more awesome projects.

https://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for news about upcoming projects and behind the scenes informations.

https://twitter.com/GreatScottLab

https://www.facebook.com/greatscottlab

Comments

[Powerbrapp]

Is there anyway to make a fast charger with a 12 volt circuit? Like a 20 watt fast charger? Or even a 65watt using type C board to plug into ?

[ezyalb]

How many times can you charge your phone with this? Does it charge slow?

[Older Wiser]

The links to ebay and Amazon do not work so how do I find a list of components I need for the "Charge your phone with a car battery" project please?
Thanks

[TertiusB]

This LM2576 works perfectly for 5v external vehicle reverse camera's or internal mounted display devices that can be directly mounted to your battery. Then you can do away with the whole 12V "Cigarette Lighter Socket" and cables dangling in your car. Tested and working!

[Tzelliot]

l was wondering what will happen if we don't use the coil and the schottky diode ? Because when l'm using them my output amp is getting too low around 80mA.And as a second is this safe ?

[Htt200472ab]

Take any car adapter for your phone and connect it to the battery and you have the same thing. It will work for 6v-12v

[make thing ID]

i have no coil / inductor can you give the alternative

[GreatScottLab]

No

[e4newbies]

Now i made a pcb for that circuit (LM2576 circuit only). I used heatsink with IC & yes...it worked. But there is still problem with inductor.. Although i used an inductor with current rating upto 3Abut it still becomes hot enough to touch..!

(Plz note that i couldn't find the inductor in toroidal form with proper rating that's why i used 3A 100uH inductor in cylinderical form)

[e4newbies]

Now i made a pcb for that circuit (LM2576 circuit only). I used heatsink with IC & yes...it worked. But there is still problem with inductor.. Although i used an inductor with current rating upto 3Abut it still becomes hot enough to touch..!

(Plz note that i couldn't find the inductor in toroidal form with proper rating that's why i used 3A 100uH inductor in cylinderical form)

[e4newbies]

I tried one at bread board for testing...though it worked but the problem is my ic 2576 & inductor are heating up. I connected my phone n it started charging. Al most after 15 or 20 min the ic an d inductor became so hot that it was hard to touch them

[GreatScottLab]

That should not happen. Check your solder connections.

[e4newbies]

no soldering at all...i used bread board...!!

[e4newbies]

anyone can tell the reason and suggest any change to make it more efficient

[RajarshiD]

Very nice method. :)
I want to charge my phone using a 6V Lead acid battery (6.8V 5 Ah).
So my question is can I use this switching regulator in case of 6.8 V battery ?
If not please suggest one.
Thanks in advance :)

[Psycho4Ever]

Nevertheless it's a nice instructable.

[Psycho4Ever]

Personally i would add three components for safety reason the voltage regulator: 1. a common diode cathode to the output and anode to the input. 2. a ceramic capacitor from input to ground. 3. a ceramic capacitor from output to ground. (the ceramic capacitors as close as possible to the pins of the voltage regulator) This is not really necessary but it protects the voltage regulator. i guess you wanted to make it as simple as possible, but i also think that it would not make it much more complicated to mention that. :)