I'm trying to set up a solar charging system for my phone using a 10W solar panel connected to a DC-DC buck converter that outputs 5V. From there, I'm planning to use a female USB-A to charge my phone. I also have a volt USB doctor to check if the output is indeed 5 volts. Will this work for my phone, or are there potential issues I should be aware of?
3 Answers
Consider adding a small battery to your setup. It can help improve charging consistency. I’ve seen a 50W panel work well with a car charger, as long as the sun is decent for charging my smaller battery packs.
I'd suggest using a larger solar panel than 10W if you can. The efficiency drops with smaller panels for this setup. If your panel operates between 12V and 24V, a car USB adapter might be a better choice since they usually include a buck converter that handles variations well.
It should work, but just keep in mind that phones can be picky about the current. Make sure you're pulling at least 1A at 5V when you're in good sunlight. The USB doctor will help you watch for any issues as they pop up.
Yeah, low current can definitely cause problems. It's worth checking with the USB doctor often!