Solar powered iPod charger

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Level 1

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Solar powered iPod charger

So I've recently been trying to make my own homemade solar powered iPod charger out of two solar panels taken from solar lawn lights. I've since managed to solder a usb port to the panels and when the iPod is connected it says shows the "charged" sign, though the iPod is not infact charging, and is actually loosing power at the same speed it usually would. I don't have a volt tester which I think might reveal I'm not getting enough power to the usb port. Are there any suggestions?

ipod 5th gen, Mac OS X (10.5.3)

Posted on Jun 28, 2008 3:29 PM

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Answer 1

Scott P.

Level 6

16,889 points

Jun 28, 2008 6:13 PM in response to wonderboy531

Please don't ask why I already had this bookmarked. 😉

http://yosemiteoutside.com/m/Blogs/02EA4A6B-8893-4F3E-87A8-C1E4B24C3AAB.html

There are several online pages that deal with this. I like Yosemite as it was our family trip every year, so the URL caught my eye. Plus it's the simplest one out there.

Get a meter and test the outputs. Good luck.

Edit: Note the voltage regulator on the link (which I get no compensation for). You will need one to provide a steady stream of juice.

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