This project details a small & simple, but very powerful USB charger for your mp3 player, camera, cell phone, and just about any other gadget you can plug into a USB port to charge! (See below for compatibility tests)
The charger circuitry and 2 AA batteries fit into an Altoids gum tin, and will run your iPod for hours! 2.5x more than you'd get from a 9V USB charger! (See Process for math/calculations) You can use rechargable batteries too.
Parts list for v3.0
Circuit Diagram:
The charger circuitry and 2 AA batteries fit into an Altoids gum tin, and will run your iPod for hours! 2.5x more than you'd get from a 9V USB charger! (See Process for math/calculations) You can use rechargable batteries too.
Parts list for v3.0
| Image | Name | Description | Distributor |
Qty
| |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
IC1
| 5V boost converter LT1302CN8-5 | Newark Linear |
1
| |||||||
 |
IC1'
| 8-pin socket | Generic |
1
| |||||||
 |
C4, C3
| Power supply capacitor 220uF/6.3V+ | Generic |
2
| |||||||
 |
C1, C2
| Bypass capacitor (0.1uF) | Ceramic Capacitor |
2
| |||||||
|
R5
| 1/8W 5% 3.3K resistor Orange Orange Red Gold This part was added in version 3.0. If you don't have one you may have a version 2.0 kit! | Generic | 1 | |||||||
 | R2, R4 | 1/8W 1% 75K resistor Violet Green Black Red Brown This part was added in version 3.0. If you don't have one you may have a version 2.0 kit! | 2 | ||||||||
 | R1, R3 | 1/8W 1% 49.9K resistor Yellow White White Red Brown This part was added in version 3.0. If you don't have one you may have a version 2.0 kit! | 2 | ||||||||
 |
D1
| 1N5818 (or 1N5817, etc) Schottky Diode | 1N5818 |
1
| |||||||
 |
L1
| 10uH power inductor, at least 1A current capability | RLB9012-10 |
1
| |||||||
 |
X1
| USB type A female jack | Generic |
1
| |||||||
 | 2 x AA battery holder | Keystone 2463 |
1
| ||||||||
 |
PCB
| Circuit board | Adafruit Industries |
1
|
Circuit Diagram:
Specifications:
- 5V output @ 500mA output
- Recharges just about any gadget with a USB cable
- Uses any AA batteries!
- Upgrade to C or D cells for a mega battery pack
- iPhone (all types): 3/4 full recharge
- iPod video (tested, using alkaline batteries): 3hrs more video (1 full recharge)
- iPod mini (tested w/rechargables): 26 hours more (1.5 full recharges)
- iPod nano: 4 full recharges!
- iPod shuffle : 60 hours more , 5 full recharges!
- High efficiency power conversion is up to 83% efficiency, 2.5x more power than a 9V battery.
- Plug in anything that charges via USB.
