Solar Power for All Usb Gadgets

This project is a usb solar charger that is capable of charging all your usb gadgets in a green way from its 5 usb ports. This project is based around the instapark 20 watt solar panel (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FX1192/ref=oh....

This panel puts out 20 watts at 12 volts and will still achieve 12 volts in mild cloud cover. If you rely on power consuming gadgets look no further.

The project has a 10000 mah battery pack capable of charging a iphone 6 and galaxy s5 about 5 times and tablets like the ipad 1-1.5 times.(http://www.amazon.com/Poweradd-Pilot-2GS-10000mAh-...

The goal of the project was to make a powerful usb charger that is cable of charging phones and tablets multiple time while staying under a 100 dollar budget. The project cost exactly 100 dollars if you choose to use the optional usb hub. However by using a smaller panel and powerpack it is possible to make it much cheaper.

Parts needed.

• 12 volt solar panel. For mine I used a 20 watt solar panel. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FX1192/ref=oh...

• Power bank that can charge devices while being charged itself. This allows you to charge you gadgets without unplugging the solar panel.
• Usb car Charger. I prefer this charger because is is cheap 2.84 and it's easy to take apart. (http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Universal-CHARGER-Mo...
• Usb Hub (optional if you want to charge multiple devices at once).http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-4-Port-Individual-Sw...

• Soldering Iron and solder: Used for connecting the solar panel to the usb car charger. See this instructble for help with soldering (https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-solder/)
• Screw driver: For taking apart the usb car charger. May vary depending on your choice of car charger.
• hot glue gun of other basic glue: For attaching the car charger to the back of the solar panel.
• Multimeter: for testing your connection if you usb charger is working.
• Velcro: for attaching the powerbank and usb hub to the back of the solar panel. This way you can easily grab the power pack when you are you need the portable power. (I don't know why radio shack calls velcro "hook and loop fasteners. Its just regular velcro.)

If you are using they one I used (http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Universal-CHARGER-Mo... just take the label of and unscrew. For others look around for screws. Most companies hide screws under labels. You should be able to find what is holding the car charger with a minute of looking.

Carefully apply how glue to the solar panel and press the car charger onto if firmly. Leave enough space of the power pack and the usb hub below.

Solder the solar panel wires to the usb car charger. Remember that the tip of the charger is positive and the side springs are negative. For help with soldering https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-solder/.

If necessary you can use duct tape to secure the solar panel wires to protect your soldering joints.

Leaving enough space for the hub and power pack place the adhesive velcro on the solar panels and the usb hub and power pack. Make sure the surfaces are clean and free of dust for the most strength.

Connect the power pack to the usb car charger using the micro usb cable.

Connect the usb hub, if you have one, to one of the power packs usb ports.

Test it out!

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