Check! Step 4: Solder the Buck Converter to the Leads Tip: You’ll likely have to switch the red probe to your multimeter’s other port in order to measure this amount of current.ĥ57mA. But in real world conditions, expect solar panels to output a little less than their stated current. Thus, for volts, you should see a number around 9V DC.įor amps, you should see a number around 666mA (333mA * 2). Wiring solar panels in parallel adds the current (amps) together while keeping the voltage (volts) the same. Well, here are the specs for the panels I used: Now let’s test the panels’ voltage and amperage outputs with a multimeter to make sure we wired everything correctly! Connect the meter’s positive probe to the positive lead and its negative probe to the negative lead. Strip and solder the negative lead to one of the panels’ negative terminal. Strip and solder the positive lead to one of the panels’ positive terminal.Ĭut a length of wire for the panels’ negative lead. Make sure it can reach where you want to place the converter. It will connect one of the panels’ positive terminal to the buck converter’s positive terminal. Step 3: Solder the Leads to the PanelsĬut a length of wire for the panels’ positive lead. Strip and solder the wire from negative terminal to negative terminal. This helps later on when gluing them to the fabric.Ĭut a length of wire to connect the panels’ negative terminals.

Tip: Keep your solder joints as flush as possible with your solar panels. (I decided to orient my panels in opposite directions to lessen the stress on the wire when the panels are folded.) Strip and solder the wire from positive terminal to positive terminal. It turned out the terminals that output 9 volts are the two “top” terminals - not the terminals with the “+” and “-” signs. Note: Because my panels have two pairs of terminals on back, before wiring I used a multimeter to check their voltages. Give yourself some slack in the wire so it isn’t pulled taut when the panels are folded. (Mine ended up being about 14″ long by 8.25″ wide.) Step 2: Wire the Solar Panels in ParallelĬut a length of wire to connect the panels’ positive terminals. I also gave myself more length than necessary so I could fold the fabric over the buck converter, as you’ll see in Step 6.Ĭut the fabric to your desired dimensions with scissors. Tip: I recommend giving yourself 1″ or more of space between your solar panels so they can fold easily. Place the panels, eyelets (if using), and DC/DC buck converter on the reusable grocery bag in your desired layout. It protects them and allows them to fold up for easy storage. E6000 craft glue (a hot glue gun is pictured, but this is what I ended up using)įor this design, I upcycled an old reusable grocery bag to cut a strip of fabric to which I attached the panels.

That’s right - it’s a DIY solar charger that you’ll actually use. And it can charge your phone and USB devices faster than the mere trickle put out by most other homemade solar chargers. I recently made a DIY solar USB charger that, in my opinion, is WAY better than most of the other designs out there.

Diy mini led panel