I have been working on a solar powered iphone charger like you see on YouTube and instructables all over the place. Only problem for me is that I have used multiple types of chargers and still have no luck. Getting the thing to work!!! I need some help trouble shooting!
Please check out one of the videos here:
http://youtu.be/x1wl092ljXI
And the instructables here:
http://m.instructables.com/id/Double-Capacity-MintyBoost-with-4-AA-Battery-Holde/?ALLSTEPS
Here's what's happened so far:
1) tried chargers for wall outlets, nothing
2) tried charger for car outlets, nothing
3) tried the same charger shown in multiple online instruction videos, Success!!!
But wait... iPhone 4S says charging, but battery depletes like normal, even when powered off but still plugged in to "charger".
So here's where my noobie mistakes began, I think...
According to most videos and instructables, the charger from EBay uses 2AA batteries so the solar panel and rechargeable batteries in a battery holder are wired together to the circuit board of the chargers usb hub.
"Easy enough to modify this" says I!
I go out and buy a 4AA battery holder and wire it up as the instructions say. But I guess that won't work for some unknown reason... Problem 1
Also, I still want to use 4 batteries for multiple charges and more power while camping. I think this means I need to separate the battery pack into 2 separate "cells" and wire them both to the terminals of the circuit board?... Problem 2
(I know how to do that, I just want to know if doing so will give me the proper amount of power but more room for multiple charges? Problem 2.5)
Really, I'm wondering if creating and wiring two separate 2AA "cells" to the terminals will fix everything and make this project work properly and give multiple charges?!?!? Problem 3
What does it do to the power output of the batteries if they are separated into 2cells instead of wires in a series?
How much power does an iPhone 4S need to charge?
If this charger works, unmodified... Then why does it not work with the solar panel and 4AA batteries wired to its terminals?
These three problems and these three questions I need answered please!
Now I really need answers to this post to be non-sarcastic or smart mouthed because I am seriously trying to get into building electronics and don't want a "just buy it on eBay" or "why even try" the answer to both of those is that this is simply a project I want to fully understand in order to move on to bigger and better projects with a sufficient knowledge of what I am doing!
With that being said I also need the answers to be in an almost kindergarten- like set of terms a noob like me can understand.
Thanks so much in advance!!!
Please check out one of the videos here:
http://youtu.be/x1wl092ljXI
And the instructables here:
http://m.instructables.com/id/Double-Capacity-MintyBoost-with-4-AA-Battery-Holde/?ALLSTEPS
Here's what's happened so far:
1) tried chargers for wall outlets, nothing
2) tried charger for car outlets, nothing
3) tried the same charger shown in multiple online instruction videos, Success!!!
But wait... iPhone 4S says charging, but battery depletes like normal, even when powered off but still plugged in to "charger".
So here's where my noobie mistakes began, I think...
According to most videos and instructables, the charger from EBay uses 2AA batteries so the solar panel and rechargeable batteries in a battery holder are wired together to the circuit board of the chargers usb hub.
"Easy enough to modify this" says I!
I go out and buy a 4AA battery holder and wire it up as the instructions say. But I guess that won't work for some unknown reason... Problem 1
Also, I still want to use 4 batteries for multiple charges and more power while camping. I think this means I need to separate the battery pack into 2 separate "cells" and wire them both to the terminals of the circuit board?... Problem 2
(I know how to do that, I just want to know if doing so will give me the proper amount of power but more room for multiple charges? Problem 2.5)
Really, I'm wondering if creating and wiring two separate 2AA "cells" to the terminals will fix everything and make this project work properly and give multiple charges?!?!? Problem 3
What does it do to the power output of the batteries if they are separated into 2cells instead of wires in a series?
How much power does an iPhone 4S need to charge?
If this charger works, unmodified... Then why does it not work with the solar panel and 4AA batteries wired to its terminals?
These three problems and these three questions I need answered please!
Now I really need answers to this post to be non-sarcastic or smart mouthed because I am seriously trying to get into building electronics and don't want a "just buy it on eBay" or "why even try" the answer to both of those is that this is simply a project I want to fully understand in order to move on to bigger and better projects with a sufficient knowledge of what I am doing!
With that being said I also need the answers to be in an almost kindergarten- like set of terms a noob like me can understand.
Thanks so much in advance!!!