The world's first and only open-source hardware charger: The MintyBoost®!
New version! Works with the new iPhone 4 & 5 and more! Please review the Minty Boost project page(s) before purchase and assembly!, some phones require different modifications to the kit to charge properly! Some phones such as the *iPhone 3gs are very sensitive to charging via USB and may not work in all environments or configurations.
Make your own iPod/iPhone/GPS/etc... battery-pack and recharger!
This project includes all the electronic parts necessary to build your own MintyBoost: a small & simple (but very powerful) USB charger for your iPod (or other mp3 player), camera, cell phone, and any other gadget you can plug into a USB port to charge. If you have a Nintendo DS/GBA or a PSP you can buy charger cables from us, too.
The charger circuitry and 2 AA batteries fit into an small space such as an Altoids gum or mint tin, and will run your iPod for hours, 2.5x more than you'd get from a 9V USB charger! You can use rechargeable batteries too.
New In Version 3: Provides 500mA @ 5V, tested and designed to work with all the latest iGadgets including the latest iPhones and iPods, etc., improved efficiency for high-drain devices, works much better with LiPoly battery mods.
Kit comes unassembled and is suitable for beginners. Some soldering tools are necessary but even if you've never soldered before it should be pretty easy.
Read more about the project on the Minty Boost webpage
Tested works with: iPods, iTouches and iPhones (including the latest 4G), PSP, DS..Please see a full listing at Minty Boost compatibility webpage to see if your device is tested to work before purchasing. iPhone 3gs is the most finicky of the bunch, tinkering may be required.
Batteries and tin not included. We have nice tins in the shop, or you can also of course make your own case!
Team this up with a Lithium Ion/Polymer battery and our solar-optimized lithium ion battery charger to make your own Solar Mintyboost!