Questions about a Photovoltaic Charger for a Cell Phone...?

Greetings, I have a project that I want to tackle mostly because it will teach me things (nothing more annoying than a day without newly bought knowledge). The theme is SOLAR ENERGY. I want to make a solar charger for my cell phone (and yes I know I can buy them, but I want this project to be MINE!). OK step 1 for me was to look at the OUTPUT printed out on my cell phone walljack. It says it is 5.2v and 800mA (Which I have now learned how to convert to Amps via the formula 800/1000 = 0.8A). When I buy solar or photovoltaic cells – which I also learned about now, are really different by definition – I will doubtless find that I will not hit the nail on the head with a perfect 5.2v, 800mA set up. My question is this: Do I buy 6v worth of cells or should I not go over the output info full on tha back of my walljack, a.k.a. buy 4v of cells, or if possible 5v… I have no thought how the mA factor into the solar cells, so possibly someone could enlighten me there as well.
ATTN: “MORE SLACK”: What a brilliant educational answer, but I goofed. I should have stated that I am making this to be sewn into an outdoor sports product… Similar to how they have backpacks with solar cells made right into them. It needs to be a solar cell soldered right to a connector that will attach to the phone. Whether or not that will work is what I need to know… and of course what I should trarget as far as V & mA goes.

Answer by more slack
My suggestion would be to make it comply with USB power requirement (500mA at 5V.) Then it could be used with pretty much any phone.

You can use lower voltage cells, then boost to the 5V level with a switching step-up converter. The main thing is to have enough wattage. If for example you have only 2.4V@100mA, then this will be only 4.8@50mA… not enough. You need 500mW of cells, with some margin – I suggest 750mW.

Excellent luck with your project…

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Booster Adapter


Image by Sebastian Keil
Das braucht man wohl fürs iPhone.

I will be in the remote areas of Kenya on a volunteer project

Answer by unknown
First of all what country in Africa are you going to? . Most of the countries have power outlets now and doubtless only need a universal converter. Though if your going to the clannish areas here is were you can buy a solar charger (http://www.siliconsolar.com/) The websight is designed a small slopy but it has everything you need. Although the clannish areas may sometimes have generator power stations.

Answer by Daisuke Fan 18
there are a lot at Cabellas.. go to http://www.cabellas.com and get one there.. i got one for hunting and i leave it on my dash and it works fantastic for my cell phone and my iPod but it also has 4 outlets so you will be all set if u get the one i have.. sorry.. idk what the one i have is called though.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Entergy Mississippi CEO discussion in Tupelo
TUPELO – The glow of multiple electronic devices, all charging overnight, basked Haley Fisackerly's otherwise dark living room recently in a soft set alight.
Read more on Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

XT Power Hand Crank Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger… eCellPhoneCharger.info! Eco cell charger check it out!
Video Rating: 5 / 5