DIY Solar Battery Chargers
Trading a disposable battery for a rechargeable one is one of the gadgets that allow you to enjoy having a green lifestyle. Recharging batteries do require energy from a power grid. The resources that are nonrenewable can be eliminated by building your own solar battery charger. With a few tools and directions you can begin to recharge your battery from direct energy of the sun.
There are components that you can purchase from an electronic story which make up the charge. The parts for the charger are easy and inexpensive to purchase.
Supplies you will need:
- 5-watt 12-volt photovoltaic solar panel
- Solar DC charge controller
- 12-volt 12AH rechargeable battery
- 5-feet of 18-gauge wire
- ¼-inch mono jack
- Cigarette lighter Y adapter
- DC to AC inverter (optional)
- Connect the solar panel and the battery to the charge controller. Remove the lighter plug from the Y adapter and then solder it to the mono plug. Insert the mono plug into the output outlet that is located on the DC controller. Connect the four power leads form the solar panel and the battery to the controller’s input terminals; use wire to connect these pieces together. Make sure that the positive and negative leads are properly connected.
- Use the cigarette lighter socket to run the panel outside the box.
- Create an adjustable mount for the solar panel to be positioned as efficient as possible, towards the sun. Use a small art easel to make the adjustable frame. An adjustable rod can be used to change the frame’s angle if you are using the art easel.
- Position the panel towards the sun and wait for the battery to charge. The amount of time that it takes to charge the battery is dependent upon the amount of sun the panel is receiving. If you wish to increase the power, add more solar panels and batteries.
- Connect the device directly into the lighter socket once the battery is charged. You can also connect a DC to AC inverter into the socket in order to directly plug items into the charged battery.