How To Build A Mini DIY Solar Charger

Recently built a DIY Mini Solar Charger, that allows me to harness the energy from the sun, to charge any mobile phone, android device, iphone, ipad or similar USB device. Learn how, using just a few cheap components and a bit of simple soldering, you can create this clever little device, that may save you a bit of money too...

Parts List : 3.7V Li-ion 18650 Batteries Parallel 3x3.7V 18650 Battery Holder USB Charging Module PCB Board 3V To 5V USB Step Up Boost Module SOLAR PANEL 12V 1.5W Wire Suitable case or tin to house all your components...

Then it is just a simple case of soldering all the components together, as per my video. Ensuring that you match the +ve and -ve terminals correctly on both the batteries and USB modules, which should be clearly marked. Depending on your choice of solar panel, you will need to provide the appropriate means of linking the panel to the USB Charging Module PCB Board. I chose to use a SOLAR POWER CAR PANEL BATTERY TRICKLE CHARGER 12V 1.5W This I have found to be quite adequate, anymore I think would be overkill. I suppose the size of panel depends on how portable you would like the system to be. This particular solar panel fits discreetly in my window, but works well enough to charge my devices.

Once you are happy everything is correctly wired, connect your solar panel and you should see a little red light start to blink on your USB Charging Module PCB Board. And once you connect your USB device, whether it be your mobile phone, iPad or Kindle, the red LED will light up on your 3V To 5V USB Step Up Boost Module

Mount everything neatly in a suitable housing and your good to go... I didn't bother with a battery holder in the project I worked on, but I think it would make things a lot neater and user friendly if you incorporated one in your setup. Make sure you get the battery holder that has the cells wired in parallel, giving you a 3.7v battery bank.