| One of the most interesting projects for both solar | | | | It is essential to remember that in the process of |
| energy and do-it-yourself enthusiasts is learning how to | | | | making a homemade DIY solar powered battery |
| build a solar powered battery charger. It seems to be | | | | charger, the surface of the solar panel must not be |
| like a project within a project. Solar powered | | | | overlooked. Therefore, the solar cells must be |
| appliances rely on solar panels which act as a form of | | | | duct-taped and pressed onto a cardboard for a flat |
| battery, storing electrical energy to later run appliances. | | | | panel surface. Like always, you must remember to |
| To make a solar powered battery, then, is like building | | | | place your solar powered appliance in a location |
| a battery within a battery. And while solar battery | | | | where maximum exposure to direct sunlight will be |
| chargers are readily available for purchase in the | | | | achieved. Also remember to check if the cells are |
| market, building a homemade DIY solar powered | | | | working properly. You may do so with the multimeter. |
| battery charger can still prove to be more | | | | And like every do-it-yourself project, remember to test |
| cost-efficient. | | | | out the device every now and then to see if there is |
| You will need solar cells for this project. Other | | | | anything faulty along the way. The earlier you check |
| materials are gauge wire, duct tape, soldering iron, a | | | | for errors, the earlier you can remedy them. Some of |
| window frame, cardboard, blocking diode, a battery | | | | the materials are not cheap, and it will be a great |
| holder, and a multimeter. | | | | waste if the entire project will have to be done by the |
| The window frame will serve as the holder of all | | | | end when a remedy could have been made |
| components. Lay out the solar cells on the frame. You | | | | somewhere in the beginning. |
| will need to wire the solar cells together to create a | | | | The business of how to build a solar powered battery |
| power source. Wire the cells by soldering them from | | | | charger relies greatly on the type of solar cells you |
| the back and then the next one to the front, and so on. | | | | use, and how careful you are in assembling them |
| The solar cells must be wired in parallel in order for the | | | | together on the flat, cardboard surface inside the |
| amps to be increased. To do this, intertwine the | | | | window frame. Some people choose to make solar |
| positive wires together. Do the same to the negative | | | | cells from their kitchen materials. But for this particular |
| wires. Connect the end of the positive wire to red lead | | | | project, it is highly recommended that you use the |
| of the AA battery holder and then the negative end to | | | | commercially-available solar cells rather than utilize |
| the black lead. Attach the blocking diode to the | | | | what could be a faulty product of your kitchen |
| negative lead of the battery. | | | | experiment. |