Q&A for How to Make a Portable and Rechargeable USB Charger

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Question

How do I connect the batteries to the USB connector?

Community Answer

Use a battery holder from an old remote or even a toy car that takes batteries. Just solder the wire from the battery holder to the USB connector and you are all set.

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Question

How will I know if I did it wrong?

Community Answer

When your phone isn't charging, then you have done it wrong.

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Question

Can I use lithium ion batteries instead?

Community Answer

Their voltage does not match by AAA. You could use them by adding a voltage controller (5 volt, 1 / 1.5 amp), then it would work.

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Question

Can I use the same amount of batteries if I want to put in two USB plugins?

Community Answer

That shouldn't be a problem, but you will see a decrease in charging rate for both devices when doing this. Try buying a small portable charger, especially if you need more ports, as this will be more consistent, safer for your devices, and will deliver power to both devices reliably.

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Question

Can four cells really charge a mobile phone?

Community Answer

Yes, they can if the cells are powerful enough.

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Question

Do I need a serial or parallel connection to do this with AAA batteries?

Community Answer

You might want to use a serial circuit so I suggest using a battery holder from an old remote or anything that uses batteries so that all the wiring is connected for you inside the battery holder.

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Question

How can I tell if my rechargeable power bank is fully charged?

Community Answer

This might require more complicated tinkering with the setup. You might have to include a sensor to tell whether the batteries are fully charged, or include a sensor that measures how much power has gone through, then tells you when the correct amount has gone though. This might be a little more finicky though.

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Question

Can I use a plastic box instead of an Altoids tin?

Community Answer

Yes, it works just the same. Just make sure there is enough room to hold all parts.

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Question

Do I need to connect any voltage ic or transistor to charge a mobile phone?

Community Answer

Check your voltage. It should be 4.5 - 5 volt and 1 amp. If not, you will need a transistor or voltage controller.

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Question

Can I use cellphone batteries?

Community Answer

Yes. Just connect the USB connector wires to the first and last conductor plate on the cellphone battery.

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Question

Can I use a 3.5, 3.7 or 9 volts battery?

Community Answer

You need a voltage regulator that provides only 5 volts, 1 amp.

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Question

Can I use alkaline AA batteries instead?

Alex Niculescu

Community Answer

In theory, yes, but you will lose the recharging ability, and it will be more complicated to make 1.5V batteries to output 5V.

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Question

Can I use AA batteries instead of rechargeable ones?

Joval Mangalan

Community Answer

You can use AA batteries, but the downside to that is the fact that you have to replace the batteries every time they run out, therefore rechargeable batteries are more cost effective.

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Question

How can I tell if the battery system is truly rechargeable?

Community Answer

Read the label on the battery. Most batteries will state whether they are rechargeable or not.

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Question

What kind of battery will I need to fully charge an iPhone?

Community Answer

AA batteries can still be used for an iPhone. You just need a different port.

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Question

What type of batteries should I use?

Community Answer

It's recommended to use rechargeable AAA batteries, but you can use lithium ion batteries too. That way you don't have to make the male-to-male cable to charge it.

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Question

How to check that batteries are fully charged or not?

Community Answer

You can use a voltmeter to test for the voltage. They can be found wherever electronics are sold.

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Question

Can I charge a laptop with a power bank via male-to-male USB?

Community Answer

No. As laptop batteries are much larger, they have greater voltage requirements than a cell phone charger can provide.

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Question

Should I solder the wires together when making a portable USB charger?

Community Answer

Yes. If you don't have a soldering station, then twist the cables and tape them together.

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Question

Can a USB charger work if I use AA batteries?

Community Answer

Yes, but you will need a voltage controller as AA have more voltage than AAA.

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Question

What is the amperage and volt output for this USB charger?

Community Answer

The voltage of the batteries should be about 5v and 1.5amp.

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