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
This 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
very nice….. let you please, make me aware about future projects on electronics…….
thank you…
Axel Sanner says
Why use those inefficient linear regulators?
I would probably look into a buck converter instead. for instance
https://www.adafruit.com/product/1065
admin says
Halla Alex!
Absolutely a much better component. Great input.
Best,
Oyvind
Axel Sanner says
Yo Øyvind
Forgot to say cool article, looking forward to more :)
Kenneth says
in the experiment what comes after the 330resistor
Laaland Clare says
Hello 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
give circuit image please
Mohit says
Hello Sir ,
Pl suggest how we know the value of resistance & diode and its rating also .
Thanks & Regards
Mohit Gupta
Daniel Meme says
I’m in kenya, , how can I get supplied with these components
abdulmalek says
can 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
I did the project but is discharging the phone’s battery.
Can you pls help me out?
Saksham says
Could this be done with a breadboard?
admin says
Yes, except that the USB connector might not fit in the breadboard.