Solar charging an iPod

[Peter]

I am sure this has been done...

I have four 6v solar panels left from some security lights. I would like
to mount them on my roof and wire them (2 in series and then parallel)
to get 12V into my house to charge various battery powered devices. I
have tried to use my 12V lighter adapter as a voltage regulator which
worked just fine. Where can I find a voltage regulator I could use for
this purpose?

Peter

 

[Peter]

I don't understand what question you are asking. What does this have
to do with solar charging an iPod?

Bob

Sorry to be unclear. What part goes in between the panels and the iPod
so it can charge - it won't charge straight from the panels. (The car
adapter actually does this(.

Peter

 

[Blue Cat]

I assume that an iPod uses a lithium ion battery, which needs to be charged
in a special way. The best way to do this is with a 12 volt dc lighter
adapter designed for the iPod. Unfortunately, some of these adapters won't
operate if the input voltage is over 15 volts (unregulated output of a solar
panel with little or no load). I used a LM350 integrated circuit voltage
regulator to provide a constant 13 volts for the adapter. The LM350 is rated
at 3 amps, but you can also use the LM317, which is rated at 1.5 amps, and
is inexpensive.

 

[Peter]

I assume that an iPod uses a lithium ion battery, which needs to be charged
in a special way. The best way to do this is with a 12 volt dc lighter
adapter designed for the iPod. Unfortunately, some of these adapters won't
operate if the input voltage is over 15 volts (unregulated output of a solar
panel with little or no load). I used a LM350 integrated circuit voltage
regulator to provide a constant 13 volts for the adapter. The LM350 is rated
at 3 amps, but you can also use the LM317, which is rated at 1.5 amps, and
is inexpensive.

Thanks

That's the info I needed.

Peter

 

[Peter]

One method is to charge the iPod using a Firewire cable. The input
voltage is not very critical, and can go up to 30 volts without
problems. If you can obtain a Firewire to iPod cable, then you can cut
off the Firewire connector end and connect the solar panel to the
charging wires. These are usually red positive and black negative, and
are larger diameter than the signal wires. If unsure, open the 30 pin
iPod docking connecter carefully and check where the wires connect.
Positive voltage connects to pin 19 (and/or pin 20) and the negative
voltage connects to pin 29 (and/or pin 30). Do not connect anything to
the signal wires.

Bob

Bob

The 5th Gen iPod I have uses a different cable (not Firewire). I do have
the connector. When hooked up to anything else than the computer or my
car adaptor the charging icon doesn't show. Seems the battery needs well
conditioned power.

Peter