Introduction: Super Simple Phone Charger
This could possibly be one of the most simplest phone chargers you can make. I wanted to make a charger that could use a 9v battery to power-up my phone. The worst thing about having a phone charger which you charge via USB is you never remember to charge it!
After looking through a few 'ibles I came across this one by Hobbyman. I loved the simple design and the discussions around the batteries and charging modules. I actually went out and purchased an Ultrafire 18650 battery, charging module and a regulator but still haven't done anything with them. I was contemplating adding a phone charger inside an umbrella handle (still might!), but decided to make this simple charger instead.
I wanted a way to have a charger that I could replace the battery whenever it went flat. This way if I'm away from mains power, I can just buy a battery from the shop and charge away.
You virtually only need 3 parts to make this charger, a 9v battery holder, a battery and a step down voltage regulator. You don't even need to solder! The total cost including battery is about $7 to make.
I have charged my phone from flat to charged on one 9v energiser lithium battery. I suggest you get a good 9v battery to get the most charge possible.
Step 1: Parts to Gather
Step 2: Cut the Wire
Steps:
1. Place the regulator on top of the battery holder and work out how much wire to trim on the holder. Remember, you need to be able to open the holder to get at the battery so don''t make the wires too short.
2. Attach the wires to the terminal section on the regulator and make sure everything fits correctly.
Step 3: Glue Down the Regulator
Steps:
1. Remove the wires from the terminal on the regulator.
2. Add some araldite glue or something similar to the bottom of the regulator and carefully place on top of the battery holder. The battery holder that I used has a built in on/off switch. This is important as you need to be able to turn off the regulator when not in use
3. Leave to dry.
Step 4: Final Steps
Steps:
1. Once the glue has dried, re-attach the wires to the regulator. Make sure that the polarities are correct, red to positive and black to negative.
2. Add the battery and test that the regulator comes on. There is a tiny LED that will come on which will indicate that it is being powered.
3. Plug in your phone using a iPhone cord or whatever type of phone you have and you should see it starting to charge.
That's it! You now have a charger that you can take anywhere. No worrying about charging as you ust replace the 9v when you need power.

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62 Comments
7 years ago
How is it a DIY when all you do is plug in some wires and almost all of the things are pre-made ?
Reply 7 years ago
Because, you are DOING IT YOURSELF! !
Reply 7 years ago
I just got myself a glass of water, WOW I DID IT MYSELF!
Reply 7 years ago
because you dont have someone else plug in the wires?
7 years ago
Can i power Arduino with this?
Reply 7 years ago
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Products
You can find it.
7 years ago
Good simple idea. Been looking for a cheap portable AUX. power pack for my GPS. (Internal bat. good for about three hours) Out stomping around in the boonys you can use that up fast. I used a 4 "D" battery pack rigged with a belt clip. Works Soooopoib!
Thanks.
7 years ago
why not use a portable battery insted?
7 years ago
Most smart phone batteries are 1500-3300mah.
A 9V battery has 50-400mah and at 500mw load has less than 300mah capacity.
You're also losing 30% of that 300mah thru the circuit.
Just exactly HOW much does this remaining 210mah charge your phone ???
Ref : http://www.powerstream.com/9V-Alkaline-tests.htm
7 years ago on Introduction
I've been using step-up regulators, £2.10 for 5 on ebay (e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271875496151) along with 2 or 4 AA batteries. These work down to 0.9 volt, so they will extract the last bit of energy from the AAs; even partially discharged ones will deliver enough charge to get your phone working for a while.
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
I've had issues with using the cheap step-up regulators for my iPhone. I can't get them to charge! They work fine though for a Samsung and I used one in this 'ible.
Reply 7 years ago
there has to be a couple of volts on the data lines for iphones
7 years ago
Boost converters will be much more efficent, and AAA batteries are far cheaper than 9V.
Reply 7 years ago
YES! - also AAA/AA's can be rechargeable.
Reply 7 years ago
you can get rechargable 9v batteries
7 years ago
Could you use the regulator from a car charger to make this?
Reply 7 years ago
I think you would have issues as there wouldn't be enough amps. I could be wrong though
7 years ago
it is a good idea but the 9 volt batteries are relatively expensive.
you can try this boost converter
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1Pcs-DC-DC-Boost-Co...
only 69 cts and it will boost even a single AA cel to 5V
7 years ago
why should i use a 9v Battery to charge ones my phone?????
7 years ago
Thank you I will be giving this a try after my in car charger died unexpectedly yesterday and had no way of charging my phone on the go ?