Solar charging the iPad: Project

[troop231]

Anyone using a solar charger for their iPad? I'm thinking about making my own and it should be pretty cool when I'm finished. Just wanted to know what others are doing.

 

[DoFoT9]

is this possible to do? it would be a wonderful invention i might want in!

 

[troop231]

is this possible to do? it would be a wonderful invention i might want in!

Yes, I just got some sample regulating chips in and I'm building this covered in solar cells :

A solar tetrahedron idea

 

[DoFoT9]

Yes, I just got some sample regulating chips in and I'm building this covered in solar cells :

My solar tetrahedron idea

can you guarantee the minimum power requirements?

 

[troop231]

can you guarantee the minimum power requirements?

Indeed, 5 Volts at 1 Ampere

 

[DoFoT9]

Indeed, 5 Volts at 1 Ampere

aahhh ok. awsome

 

[troop231]

I still need to get the wood and a few electronic pieces. I will post an instructable when it's done most likely. The nice thing about the shape is that it's four identical pieces to make.

 

[DoFoT9]

I still need to get the wood and a few electronic pieces. I will post an instructable when it's done most likely. The nice thing about the shape is that it's four identical pieces to make.

haha please do, and specs on the panels that you used etc.

 

[Streethawk]

Worth noting that off the shelf solar chargers aimed at mobile phones wont be up to the job.

 

[troop231]

haha please do, and specs on the panels that you used etc.

These are the cells I'm going to try first, since I can't find any triangular shaped cells, and don't really want to risk cutting and breaking larger cells.

4 cells on each side for a total of 12 cells in the array.

Cells are 2.4" by 2.4" square each.

 

[DoFoT9]

These are the cells I'm going to try first, since I can't find any triangular shaped cells, and don't really want to risk cutting and breaking larger cells.

4 cells on each side for a total of 12 cells in the array.

Cells are 2.4" by 2.4" square each.

fair enuf. interesting. how much do they cost roughly?

 

[troop231]

fair enuf. interesting. how much do they cost roughly?

$8.95 for 4. I can probably get cheaper in bulk though. I'm still hunting for cells with more amps.

 

[dstar]

$8.95 for 4. I can probably get cheaper in bulk though. I'm still hunting for cells with more amps.

It would be really nice if you could meet the requirements of using it while charging. I don't know how large those panels would be though.

 

[DoFoT9]

$8.95 for 4. I can probably get cheaper in bulk though. I'm still hunting for cells with more amps.

oh is that all!!!! schweeet

 

[danpass]

at 25,000 mAh wouldn't you need ISS-sized panels?

 

[troop231]

at 25,000 mAh wouldn't you need ISS-sized panels?

Lol, The iPad power brick does 2000 mAh output which won't be very hard at all. I just want to make this project cost effective.

 

[troop231]

Question to all interested.. What's the biggest size of something like this you would mind using? Asking because it's gonna take a few cells to achieve the voltage required.

 

[DoFoT9]

Question to all interested.. What's the biggest size of something like this you would mind using? Asking because it's gonna take a few cells to achieve the voltage required.

to be honest, anything that is 2x the size of the ipad would be too large.

if you could make it foldable, say use 4 cells the size of the ipad - which then fold out.. that would be cool

oh oh do this or this!

 

[troop231]

to be honest, anything that is 2x the size of the ipad would be too large.

if you could make it foldable, say use 4 cells the size of the ipad - which then fold out.. that would be cool

oh oh do this or this!

Hmm, I like that first pic. That should collect quite a bit of sun since it's almost parabolic in nature.

 

[DoFoT9]

Hmm, I like that first pic. That should collect quite a bit of sun since it's almost parabolic in nature.

yes i thought it would be pretty efficient do you think it would work and fold up ok? would each panel roughly the size of an ipad produce enough power?

 

[troop231]

yes i thought it would be pretty efficient do you think it would work and fold up ok? would each panel roughly the size of an ipad produce enough power?

They should fold ok. Do you think demand would be great for these?

 

[DoFoT9]

They should fold ok. Do you think demand would be great for these?

demand would be steady, but it wouldnt be a hit product to be honest with you.

i would certainly consider buying one though!

 

[troop231]

demand would be steady, but it wouldnt be a hit product to be honest with you.

i would certainly consider buying one though!

What about two USB ports for charging the iPhone too? Just a thought, don't know if it'd work yet.

 

[DoFoT9]

What about two USB ports for charging the iPhone too? Just a thought, don't know if it'd work yet.

could work. im presuming the iphone requires a lot less amperage to charge but similar voltages?

 

[troop231]

could work. im presuming the iphone requires a lot less amperage to charge but similar voltages?

Yes, about 1/4 less Amps lol