Introduction: Solar Portable Charger
Don't you just agree how convenient a portable charger is? You can just carry these things around to charge your phone and not have to worry about silly outlets or a power source from a building. Although, you have to make sure you prepared the bank is charge and has the energy. Now imagine if the bank can provide more energy without charging the bank. We have put together a bank that charges on it's own through solar energy With a conveniently compact solar panel, get power on the go!
Step 1: Here's What You Need!
Materials:
- Wire
- Heat shrink tubing
- Solar lipoly battery charger 2W
- Solar panel (more compacted, more convenient)
- PowerBoost 1000 Basic
- 2200mAh li-ion battery
- On/off power switch
- Enclosure box (we put together a wooden box)
Tools:
- Soldering Iron and Solder
- Buzzsaw
- Drill and Drill bits
- Neednose Pliers
- Chisel
Step 2: Diagram of the Circuit
- charger circuit board comes with USB port
- DC jack for solar panel and two JST port attached to board (battery comes with JST plugs and attaches to JST port label BATT)
- the power switch
- should be attached to the PowerBoost pins labeled EN and GND
- also needs to be connected to the Powerboost's 5V and GND pins, with 220ohm resistor in the series
Step 3: Capacitor to Solar Charger
- Look for the large circle on the circuit board that matches the capacitors space for leading.
- Solder longer leg to none labeled side (positive)
- Solder shorter leg to the labeled white stripe and minus symbol
Step 4: Set Up PowerBoost
Install the USB port to powerboost circuit board
- seat it nicely and solder the terminals underside
Solder JST pigtail wire directly to the circuit board
- (red to pad marked positive + and black to pad marked negative -)
Step 5: Power Switch
Solder wires to the leads of the wires. Wire up one of the leads with a 220 ohm resistor and a wire on the opposite resistor. On/ Off switch will be install to the exterior of the box
After it is all set, solder the wires to the pins on the PowerBoost.
- LED connects to 5V and GND
- The switch leads are connected to EN and GND
Step 6: Cutting Port Openings
You can use any enclosure of your choosing that is small and compact such Tupperware, Small Carboard box, or etc. We put together a small wooden base. We made openings on the sides for the USB port, Power Button, and the Port for the Solar Panel. We drilled the sides and used a buzz-saw to fit the ports on the exterior.
Step 7: Fitment and Solar Panel
After cutting out the port areas, we made a fitment for all the materials in the enclosure. Use adhesives to make sure the boards stay in place. We had attached the solar panel to the roof of the wooden frame with super glue.
Step 8: There You Have It!
You got yourself a fully custom portable bank charger! More beneficial is that you won't have to worry about recharging it and regenerate power as the sun does it for you. Of course, we can find many ways to innovate and customize this product to your desire.