How to Make a Solar USB Charger! (simple!)

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Welcome! I will show you how to make a solar usb charger that out puts about 6v and is perfect for charging anthing that uses USB. This is perfect for someone new to soldering! Here is the finished product:

Step 1: Parts

You need the following:
1x USB extension a/a cable http://www.monoprice.com (That's where I got mine.)
1x Any Diode (RadioShack #: 276-563)
1x 6v Solar panel (RadioShack #: 277-1205 )
Soldering iron(RadioShack #: 64-2051)
Solder
1x Project box (Radioshack #: 270-1803) I would maybe chose a smaller on, I had a bigger one laying around.
Electrical Tape
Glue Gun or tape to hold the peices in place.
Drill

Thats it!

Step 2: Getting Ready

This is a simple circuit so all you need to do before you solder is Cut the USB extender cable towards the bigger side. Leave an inch (or two if you want) and then cut off the shielding and get rid of everything except the red and black wire

Step 3: Time to Solder!

Now look at the picture below. You need to solder the Diode to the red wire from the solar panel then the red wire from your extension cable to the diode. That was the hardest part in this tutorial! now just solder the black wire from the solar panel to the Extension cable and your done soldering!
Now, just cover those spots in electrical tape. and your almost done!

Step 4: Drill!

Now you just need to drill a hole for your cables to go through on top (from the solar panel) and another hole for the cable.

Step 5: Glue It Together.

This is the last step. Just put glue around the extension cable and on tp of your project box to glue on the solar panel and your done!

Step 6: Test It Out!

Its charging up my blackberry perfectly! It is even 7:30 here and not too bright.