These are the components you need for building the portable USB charger circuit.
These are all pretty standard components, so you can probably get these at your local electronics supplier if you have one.
If not, you can buy them at one of these online electronics shops.
Parts List
| Quantity | Component | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Voltage Regulator | LM7805 |
| 2 | Resistor | 75 kΩ |
| 2 | Resistor | 51 kΩ |
| 1 | Resistor | 330 Ω | 1 | Light-Emitting Diode | Standard Output | 1 | Rectifier Diode | 1N4001-4007 |
| 1 | USB Socket | Type A |
| 1 | Battery Connector | 6 x AA battery |
| 1 | Prototyping board | Stripboard |
Tools
This project requires soldering. You don’t need a lot of tools to solder, but you’ll need a soldering iron. I you don’t have one, read my article on how to choose a soldering iron.
That’s the bare minimum. But there are a few other soldering tools that can make your life easier. Learn about the soldering tools I use here.
Optional Components
The following components aren’t required, but can be useful to improve your charger:
If you have problems finding any of the components for this project, let me know in the comment field below.
Heli Jane says
February 3, 2017 at 12:21 pmThis article is showing that how difficult to make the portable USB charger, because openly it shows so many connection wires, connected here and there, only known person who have interest in it can understand this, thats why people like to covered things, because they dont want so much complications.
buddhabhushan says
February 4, 2017 at 10:11 amvery nice….. let you please, make me aware about future projects on electronics…….
thank you…
Axel Sanner says
February 20, 2017 at 4:03 pmWhy use those inefficient linear regulators?
I would probably look into a buck converter instead. for instance
https://www.adafruit.com/product/1065
admin says
February 21, 2017 at 12:14 amHalla Alex!
Absolutely a much better component. Great input.
Best,
Oyvind
Axel Sanner says
February 27, 2017 at 9:33 pmYo Øyvind
Forgot to say cool article, looking forward to more :)
Kenneth says
April 20, 2017 at 9:01 amin the experiment what comes after the 330resistor
Laaland Clare says
April 30, 2017 at 7:51 amHello Oyvind,
I accidentaly made your charger with a 9V battery, 81(33+33+15)ohm in place of 75ohm and 48(15+33)in place of 51ohm resistors. It is charging the phone. Is it ok to use this ratio in the voltage divider with a standard 9V cell.
I will now make it with 75k and 51k. If it say 72k and 48k will it still work corrcetly . Will the low ohmage i accidentely used damage the phone by allowing too much current.
I want to make this with my year 9 students so dont want to destroy their phones or will phone just draw the current it requires.
How do i apply OHMS law to work out the voltage division equation for 9v battery.
nirban shangkor says
May 21, 2017 at 4:02 pmgive circuit image please
Mohit says
May 26, 2017 at 1:13 pmHello Sir ,
Pl suggest how we know the value of resistance & diode and its rating also .
Thanks & Regards
Mohit Gupta
Daniel Meme says
September 15, 2017 at 10:27 amI’m in kenya, , how can I get supplied with these components
abdulmalek says
November 16, 2017 at 8:47 pmcan any body tell me how exactly did admin calculated the resistance needed to determine the current for the phone?
thanks for this good article
sunnytech says
January 26, 2018 at 6:55 amI did the project but is discharging the phone’s battery.
Can you pls help me out?