All parts and components are recycled from old electronics broken yard solar lights. Only new parts are rechargeable batteries and thin coated wire for toroids.
This is my first Instructable so forgive me if it's rough, I will make every attempt to improve it, so questions comments and all constructive criticism is welcome and expected.
Step 1: what you need
- photovoltaic panels- I got mine from old solar garden lights, that got run over by a car and wear only thing that did not crack
- toroid-from old PC I got from garbage
- L7805 voltage regulator
- 1N4001 diodes
- 2N3904 NPN Transistor- all from broken enlarger timer
- miscellaneous wires from many broken things I horded
- The only thing I buy is enameled wire, but you can reuse old CAT5 wire too.
And some sort of an enclosure for whole thing to fit in I used Altoids tin but I also wanted to use Apple USB Power Adapter box, Its clear so its awesome, maybe next project.
So My green twist is two twists. All parts wear, and can be for you, re purposed from broken, discarded electronic waist, And second twist It uses solar power to use however you like or want.
Step 2: Toroid makeing
Toroid making is not too complicated, winding two wires in pair through a toroid. At the end of winding there are 2 pairs of wires. twist together one of each of different colors and solder them together, other 2 wires are left loose
Step 3: assembly of joule thieves
i used 1N4001 and 2N3904 and have about 25 turns on my toroid
Step 4: separating the thieves
one joule thief gets attached to photovoltaics other to usb
Step 5: drilling and glueing
drill through both top and bottom of a tin, use drill bit bigger then gauge of your wire, lace wire through and glue solar panels on tap and bottom of the tin I used double stick foam
Step 6: rejoining of the thieves
solder solar thief in to battery holder and battery holder to usb thief
solar thief is used to charge batteries, and USB thief to charge whatever your hart desire,
Step 7: Regulator you mast have a regulations
L7805 voltage regulator and some creative soldering, and now I have 5V not 30+
Step 8: compact it all
Insulate all the connections and stuff it all in the tin, use double stick tape to hold battery holder in place
Step 9: all must end
last step insert rechargeable and wait for the sun to come up, Open tin for charging
Posted to Instructables by nunepi
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