Battery chargers

This project aims to provide battery charging services for cell phones and other communication devices in disaster striken zones.

When disaster strikes, people often have phones on their person, yet charging devices are generally at home, or in a bag, or otherwise not on their person. Complicating matters is the fact that even with charger in hand, there is no power supply to plug into.

The Battery charger project is comprised of several sub sections and projects:

1: A rugged carrying case, capable of housing the various sub units, as well as a "source battery"

2: A USB charging device. This accepts power from the "source battery" and converts it to 5 volts over a USB connection

3: A collection of USB to phone adaptor cables for the various styles of phone in country

4: A "source battery." This may be a 12 volt sealed gell cell included in the case, or supplied in field utilizing an automotive battery.

5: An optional solar panel capable of trickle charging the "source battery" over time.

The project may add additional components, based on the conditions in the area, such as wifi to cellular or satelite bridge. It may also include a set of work lights on an extension cord.

UPDATE This project has been modified: The Project is now a 4 port USB charger, powered directly from a large solar panel. It also provides a 3.3 volt output to power WIFI devices. While storing a charge in a battery during the day, and then discharging it at night is a bit more practical, it is not cost effective. Batteries are expensive, and the added weight and bulk make it an inconvenient option for mobile aid relief teams.

Progress report Taylan has finished the PCB design, and ordered 10 prototypes to build and test out. They are arriving the week June 20th. Article about the circuit design. The solar panel company who offered to donate made contact again, and implied that they were just about ready to ship a case to us. They said they were just waiting on one part. Who knows...

Anyway, we can do tests using the existing sample panels available at THS.