Introduction: Ultimate Waterproof Solar Power
This is my fist Instructable, I have been a member for a long time and finally decided to try to create my own. Anyway lets get to it...
I wanted to build a solar charger that i could take kayaking and not have to worry about getting wet or worry about my phone. Enter the ALL IN ONE portable solar battery.
Step 1: Step One: Materials
Solar pannel(s): I used two that I found in a solar light that was ran over you know reuse recycle. haha.
Batteries: I am using some old laptop batteries I scavenged from an old hp
2X Lithium Battery Charge Controller: Brown Dog Gadgets controler
USB Charger: Dual USB Charger Brown Dog Gadgets
Diodes: 1N4001 Diode 10 Pack
Switch: I salvaged a switch from the solar light with the pannels
Silicone: I used Loctite 2in1 all purpose clear silicone
Biggest thing a Waterproof Box to put it all in
Tools:
Soldering iron
Wire
wire strippers
utility knife
electrical tape
Velcro tape
Step 2: Step Two: Starting to Fit
I set out all of the components in the box to see how they best fit. I found that the batteries and charging components all fit in the side compartment so that I could fit anything that needed charging could be fit into the other two thirds of the box. I bundled the ten batteries into two sets of five. One charging board per set.
Step 3: Step Three: Put It All Together
Solder all the batteries together in the separate bundles and then to their respective charging circuits. Now the tricky part is that the USB charger uses a 3.5v signal to charge so you have to wire the batteries in parallel. I used two diodes to separate the currents from the different cells. I cut slots in the divider for the switch and the USB charger.
Step 4: Step Four: Testing
So now outside it goes and it works. Both boards charge and the switch works. AWESOME! It has enough power to charge a phone and use a light at the same time. I know it has room for improvement and please feel free to leave me a comment or suggestion. This was just meant to be a easy way for waterproof solar power on the go.