5V USB Portable Solar Power Charger || DIY or Buy

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In this episode of DIY or Buy I will have a closer look at a commercial 5V USB portable solar power charger. After measuring its output power and pretty much "short reviewing" the product, I will try to make my own DIY version that should cost around the same while outputting more power! Let's get started!

This video was sponsored by Skillshare.

Music:
2011 Lookalike by Bartlebeats

[wunderwaffeyt]

If you've watched GreatScottt's videos for a long time then you know that this type of video where the DIY route is the winner is pretty rare.

[angunperme]

You should have built a hinging mechanism in the 3D printed frame itself.

[beratbaki]

My favorite day "Great Scott uploads day"

[piyushprasad]

great scott:diy is winner
me: finally

[Vince-yrhl]

Me: Sees the video isn't sponsored by JLCPCB
My brain: *panik*

[pauljackson]

Did you perform the Current Load Test of 10:00 on the commercial product? If the current was limited by your phone, then the maximum current capabilities would be higher too, right?

[Asu]

The solar tapping wires are going to wear out and break within a few folds, wouldn't they? An MPPT circuit would be a more proper solution than the buck boost converter, maybe try to make a DIY low power MPPT circuit for next project?

[chrisbritton]

DIY is the winner. It's not only just about money. It is about understanding how things work and how to make them better. Thank you for the video.

[fleshTH]

A hinge system would make it nearly perfect. DIY is definitely the winner here.

[Mavi]

It was interesting watching the PLA frames bend through the time of the project, lol. Great job though!

[acosgun]

I've made a similar solar charger using 10 solar panels(89 mm x 145 mm for each panel) and a 5v usb converter, and output current was about 1, 5 amps in mid day (between 11:00 and 16:00). My solution for hinge mechanism was to use duct tape, it wasn't beautiful but functional. Duct tape can be used for both fabric and hinge use, if anyone is interested I can share the pictures.

[BRUXXUS]

I really love those little buck/boost modules. Super handy for all sorts of projects!

[FreedomAirguns]

Cells are tested in labs under 1200 watt bulbs at 25°C, reason for the "wrong" readings.
Plus, the epoxy can get opaque and yellowish with time if it's not UV resistant and can't hold the stress of time as it would probably get darker before the panel begins to wear out (if it's under a constant exposure). Should be good for the usage you have in mind though.

[cnrb]

if you are doing a protable solar panel, I would suggest using Maxeon C60 flexible cells. The cells you are using are more suitable for fixed panels (with tempered glass).
Also in order to harvest maximum energy output of the cell you need to keep it in the most efficient voltage range. Mppt chatger would be a better option instead of buck boost converter.
Last thing is I don't think the cells you are using have any problem, I wouldn't expect you to get more than half of its rated power in germany without pointing the cell directly towards sun.
4.2W output is measured only in 1000w/m2 irradiance with cell pointed directly to sun.

[Tri_Nitro]

I've also tried to make a portable solar charger some time ago using small 5V epoxy coated solar cells.
I tried to reuse an old solar charger enclosure, as its electronic components were mounted on a separate part, which could easily be slipped out, but not salvaged nor repaired- it was all coated in resin (which, I must say, made it very durable, but not until the charging circuitry and battery worn out).

I encountered the same problem as you did (specs far lower than advertised), so I would get a maximum of 2 watts of power, while the original charger had somewhere around 5 watts - and it was older tech, so still impressive for such a small form factor.

I think that without some built-in energy storage like a supercapacitor or battery using the solar cells alone for power is rather unstable, and adding that would allow to trickle charge even during overcast or winter conditions.

[musa]

I was just thinking of buying one or building one myself from solar cells but couldn't decide, found this video just in time!

[qaiserbozdar]

GreatScott I had developed that module for my mobile in my engineering college as a mini project but I had used single solar panel of 7 volt and 2 amp and used a Linear regulator lm7805. It was good and fun.

[davidgunther]

12V Solar system panels work well with car USB chargers! The nominal panel voltage is 18V, and the Voc is under the 24V that most car chargers work up to. You can mix and match panel and charger wattage - 5V only (5-12W) or USB power delivery (10-60W). The main problem is no MPPT functionality, so a temporary shadow will collapse the panel output voltage.

[romaric]

GreatScott: Stay creative...
Me: I don't even have a multimeter :D
Great video!

[zaraohaio]

super good finally a fluffy friendly project a simple SysAdmin can understand, good job