Tools and Materials
- 6 volt solar cell battery
- Small metal box, about 5x2 inches
- 12 volt cell phone charger
- Electrical tape
- Voltage meter
- Velcro with adhesive backing
- Soldering iron (at least 15 watts)
- Small paint brush
- Solder
- Flux
in the event you run in to difficulty finding the correct solar cell battery, you can simply recycle one from a little LED light. Be certain to remove all plastic backing from the battery in the event you choose to go this route. Check the solar cell battery with the voltage meter for positive and negative polarity, and mark each + and - with a little piece of tape.
it is important to accurately gauge the voltage with this meter to keep away from shorting out your mobile phone. in the event you aren't sure how to make use of your voltage meter, ask your hardware retailer for a demonstration, and be certain to read all the meter instructions. Also mark the positive battery wire with another piece of tape, and then cut this wire in half so that one finish can be fitted to the mobile phone charger.
Step 2 - Prepare Metal Box
A little metal box that works perfectly for this project is an Altoids tin. Cover the inside of the tin with strips of electrical tape to prevent feasible shorts. Carefully solder the charger wires to the solar cell; attaching positive to positive and negative to negative. Since these you are working with electrical parts, using lead based solder is a commonly accepted practice. Be certain you brush the wires with a lovely flux before soldering as well.
Step 3 - Attach Solar Cell Battery
Use the Velcro pieces to attach the solar cell battery to the top of the tin lid. Stick one piece of Velcro to the middle of the lid and one piece to the middle of the solar cell. The Velcro pieces allow for simple replacement if the solar cell battery ever needs it. Be certain to cover any exposed wires and contact points with more electrical tape. Velcro your solar cell battery and tin box lid together and plug in your mobile phone at the other finish. Leave it to charge in a sunlit area for several hours.
An advantage of this solar phone charger is that it is simply transportable and will fit in to a purse or bag right along along with your mobile phone. This solar powered charger has even been found to work under strong indoor light. In case of a power failure, you will still have mobile phone power and won't be cut off from relatives and friends due to a dead phone that cannot be charged from an electrical outlet.
READ MORE:
http://solar-energy.21publish.com/archive/2010/10/08/a-solar-panel-battery-charger-integrated-with-a-briefcase.htm
http://espowsgoods.yolasite.com/blog/use-portable-solar-charger-during-long-flights
