Cell phone batteries tend to die at the worst possible times. If your cell phone battery has ever run out of juice while on the road, you know how frustrating it can be when you do not have the charger with you (or you do have it and there is no electrical outlet around). If you want to avoid this scenario in the future, and do not mind spending a few dollars on some parts, you can create your own mobile charger to carry with you and use in an emergency.
Instructions
1. Purchase a battery tray designed to hold four AA batteries. Buy one from a local electronics store or order one online. Try to get one that has alligator clips attached to the lead because this will make connecting it to the cell battery much easier. If you cannot find one with the alligator clips, you will need to purchase the clips separately and then connect them to the leads from the battery tray.
2. Insert the correct number of AA batteries in the tray based on the output voltage of the cell phone battery. Most cell phone batteries produce either 3.7 volts or 5 volts. If your cell phone battery is the 3.7-volt variety, insert three batteries in the tray. If the battery produces 5 volts, fill all four slots in the tray. Both configurations result in output voltages that are slightly higher than the required voltage (4.5 volts with three installed batteries and 6 volts when using four AAs). Nevertheless, it is better to have a little too much current when charging the battery than to not have enough.
3. Use the metal paper clip to close the circuit in the battery tray if using only three AA batteries. To do this, wrap one end of the paper clip in the coil inside the empty battery slot. When you are ready to power up the portable charger, simply touch the other end of the paper clip to the positive terminal on the opposite side of the battery tray. If using four batteries in the tray, remove one of the AA batteries to power off the charger.
4. Remove the battery from the cell phone when you are ready to use the charger. Connect the red alligator clip to the "Positive (+)" contact on the cell phone battery. Ensure the clip touches only the "(+)" contact.
5. Connect the black clip to the "Negative (-)" contact on the battery.
6. Power on the charger by wedging the free end of the metal paper clip against the positive terminal in the empty battery slot. Insert the missing AA battery if using four batteries to charge the phone.
7. Allow the cell phone battery to charge for about 15 or 20 minutes. Reinsert the battery into the cell phone. Use the phone until you can connect it to your regular charger.
Tags: cell phone, battery tray, paper clip, batteries tray, cell phone, cell phone battery, four batteries
