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.
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Step #1: Gather your Materials
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- 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!
Step #2: Insert the 3.3K Resistor
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- In location R5, insert the resistor with color code Orange-Orange-Red.
- Resistors are not polarized, so it does not matter which direction you insert it.
- Solder it in, and then clip the leads.
Step #3: Insert the 75K 1% Resistors
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- In locations R2 and R4, insert the blue resistors with color stripes of Violet-Green-Black-Red-Brown. Be sure to double-check the color code!
- These are not polarized so it does not matter which direction you solder them in.
- Solder the leads and then clip the leads.
Step #4: Insert the Remaining Resistors
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- In locations R1 and R3, insert the resistors with color code Yellow-White-White-Red-Brown.
- Solder them in and then clip the leads.
Step #5: Insert the 0.1uF Ceramic Capacitors
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- In locations C1 and C2, insert the two yellow ceramic capacitors.
- The direction of these components does not matter.
- Solder them in and then clip the leads.
Step #6: Insert the Schottky Diode
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- In location D1, insert the black component with the silver stripe.
- Be sure to match up the silver stripe with the white stripe on the silk-screened image.
- Solder it in and then clip the leads.
Step #7: Insert the IC Socket
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- The IC socket goes over the 3.3K Resistor, but make sure that you match up the notch on the socket with the notch on the silk-screened image.
- Be sure that the socket is flat on the PCB, and carefully solder the socket in.
Step #8: Insert the Inductor
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- In location L1 insert the inductor. It does not matter in which direction you insert the component.
- Solder it in and clip the leads.
Step #9: Insert the Electrolytic Capacitors
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- In locations C3 and C4, insert the blue electrolytic capacitors.
- These capacitors are polarized, so make sure that the longer lead of the capacitor is inserted into the hole marked with a "+" on the silk-screened image.
- Solder them in and then clip the wires.
Step #10: Solder in the Battery Holder
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- The red wire of the battery holder should be inserted into the hole marked with the "+". The black wire should be inserted into the hole marked with the "-".
- Solder these wires in, and if necessary clip the leads.
Step #11: Insert the Chip
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- With the notch on the chip matched up with the notch on the socket, press the chip into the socket.
- Press it all the way into the socket to make sure it is secure.
Step #12: First Test!
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- Begin by inserting two AA batteries into the battery holder. Either rechargeable or alkaline batteries will work.
- Set your multimeter to read voltage, and place the red test lead on the leftmost pin and the black test lead on the rightmost pin.
- The voltage reading should be between 5V and 5.2V. If not, then check to make sure your batteries are healthy (as well as the batteries in your multimeter).
Step #13: Second Test
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- Now check between the rightmost pin and the second and third pin.
- Your multimeter should measure around 2V.
- Once everything checks out OK, remove the batteries and continue finishing the kit.
Step #14: Insert the USB Type-A Connector
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- It should snap easily into place.
- Solder the four middle pins first and then the two outside mechanical pins.
Step #15: One More Test
Next- Before you start assembling the enclosure, connect the charger to an iPod or other USB-powered device.
- Make sure that your device begins to charge. Once you know that it is charging, you can build the enclosure.
- NOTE: The chip will get very hot while charging. This is normal so don't worry about it!
Step #16: Making the Enclosure
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- Gather your empty Altoids gum tin.
- Cut or Dremel two notches in the end of the tin around the area where the flat part ends and the tin starts to round out.
- Bend this flap back and forth and break it off.
Step #17: Into the Enclosure
- Place the pieces of sticky tape on the bottom of the battery holder and on the bottom of the circuit board.
- It is important that there is no contact between the circuit board and the metal enclosure. This would cause a short in the circuit.
- Insert everything into the tin and then insert the batteries. Close the tin, and you are finished!
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