MintyBoost USB Charger Kit v3.0

By ladyada
Time Required: 45 Minutes to 1 Hour

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Safely and effectively charge your USB-powered devices when you are away from your computer with this handy charger!

Please note: There have been reports that the Minty Boost has issues charging the iPhone 3GS.

Steps

Step #1: Gather your Materials

NextPrev

Check to make sure you have all of the necessary components to build version 3.0 of the Minty Boost.
Heat up your soldering iron and wet your sponge, and get ready to start!

Conclusion

Adafruit has also documented the process of designing this kit, in case other people interested in designing and making kits are interested in learning how to start selling their own kits!

ladyada

sam

i want to attach a solar panel to the top of the can but what would i have to do to make the battery case to a rechargeable battery case that still works as a ipod charger
Fr. Mark Lichtenstein

I bought the kit at radio shack. Beware that some of the parts look different. It is hard to unsolder and resolder, but I did it. The voltages checked out, even the pins inside the USB connection but then it would NOT charge my or my wife’s iphone. My computer did not like me sticking a common volt meter in the USB port but the voltages are the same as what is stated here and that USB connector will charge the iphones. I know the iphone cords are good. All I can figure is that this is an out of spec USB connector with the kit.
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Parts

Tools

Steps

Step #1: Gather your Materials

Step #2: Insert the 3.3K Resistor

Step #3: Insert the 75K 1% Resistors

Step #4: Insert the Remaining Resistors

Step #5: Insert the 0.1uF Ceramic Capacitors

Step #6: Insert the Schottky Diode

Step #7: Insert the IC Socket

Step #8: Insert the Inductor

Step #9: Insert the Electrolytic Capacitors

Step #10: Solder in the Battery Holder

Step #11: Insert the Chip

Step #12: First Test!

Step #13: Second Test

Step #14: Insert the USB Type-A Connector

Step #15: One More Test

Step #16: Making the Enclosure

Step #17: Into the Enclosure

Conclusion

ladyada

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Make: Projects

MintyBoost USB Charger Kit v3.0

Parts

Tools

Steps

Step #1: Gather your Materials

Step #2: Insert the 3.3K Resistor

Step #3: Insert the 75K 1% Resistors

Step #4: Insert the Remaining Resistors

Step #5: Insert the 0.1uF Ceramic Capacitors

Step #6: Insert the Schottky Diode

Step #7: Insert the IC Socket

Step #8: Insert the Inductor

Step #9: Insert the Electrolytic Capacitors

Step #10: Solder in the Battery Holder

Step #11: Insert the Chip

Step #12: First Test!

Step #13: Second Test

Step #14: Insert the USB Type-A Connector

Step #15: One More Test

Step #16: Making the Enclosure

Step #17: Into the Enclosure

Conclusion

ladyada

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