Build a Solar‐powered Phone Charger with Bought Parts

Do you want to be able to recharge your phone or other small electronic device when you're away from a power outlet? This article explains what you need to buy and how to put the parts together to build a charger for just that sort of situation.

Steps

  1. Buy a sufficiently-powerful solar power device charger. You should purchase  one such as Opteka's 4000 mAh solar power charger for iPhones / iPads / iPods, which is ideal for this project. You could buy this and just use it to charge your phone, but it would take three full sunny days to fully charge it. With an added solar panel, however, it would shorten the time to charge it to two days, which is more practical. Chargers like Opteka's one often come with a nifty extension cable with several mobile device connecting plugs. It might also be helpful to look through the reviews of the item on its website to find a pretty good manual-type review.
  2. Buy a sufficiently-large solar panel. For example, look for a "PCS 6V 120mA 0.72W Solar Panel Power Cell Charger". You may need to solder some wires together on it, but you just need some basic soldering know-how to accomplish this. DO NOT buy one that produces a voltage higher than the phone battery can handle, (for example: 6V), which may damage the battery.
  3. Connect the solar panel to the charger. The solar panel should come with a USB output cable. Once you have soldered the wires (you may have to get your own) to the correct dots, use a USB to mini cable to connect the panel to the Solar Power Battery. The eBay pictures should show you where the correct dots are.
  4. Build a stand for the panel (and Solar Battery, if you'd like). Start by bending an old credit card/gamer card and hot glue it to the back of the panel (not covering the dots). This is optional, but its better than lying it on a table where it won't fully use the power of the sun or keeping it tilt on something and risk the panel falling and breaking.
  5. Point the panels at the sun to start charging your device. You can charge the battery using the mini slot at home and let the solar aspect partially cover the charging rate of your phone/small electronic when you're away so the battery would drain slower. Point it in the direction of the sun as much as you can for maximum solar charge.

Warnings

  • Be careful when storing it in a purse or backpack. If the wires on the panel are exposed and touch something flammable, they can start a fire. Cover them with nonflammable, non-conductive material.
  • Not all phones/small electronics would charge.
  • Keep the wires on the panel from touching at all times.
  • Don't leave it unattended for more than a couple of hours.

Things You'll Need

  • Online store account (such as eBay)
  • Enough money to buy the parts, as described
  • Soldering kit
  • Wire (depending on the parts you buy, as described)
  • Two old credit / gaming cards (optional)

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References

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