Lord of the Geeks

Look at the picture.


Now, you ask "What the HECK is that?"

I often find that my cell phone has around a half charge when I go to bed, then the next day it is almost run out of charge. I sit in the office all day where it could be charging, but the charger is plugged into my home office at home. Knowing that a second charger costs some money, I wondered if one could charge a cell phone using a trickle charge from a PCs USB port. Did a quick Google check and found instructions on how to "hack" one.

The picture shows the end result. I used a car charger (you can see the cut off cigarette lighter plug) that I got from the Dollar store months ago. I already HAD a charger for the car and this one came in a package for a belt holster for the cell phone. So this cord was extra. I also used a USB mouse that was not tracking well (the cord was good but the innards of the mouse were shot...you can see the cut off mouse). I stripped the insulation and wires, and using a multimeter I determined that the red and black wires on the USB cable were what I needed. Just so happens that the wires in the car adapter were also red and black. Soldered up the wires, and sealed with heat shrink tubing. Plugged it in and VOILA!!! It actually works and I didn't have to go out and buy anything.

Now I have a home charger, a car charger, and an office charger. I can charge up the phone in any of the 3 places where I spend the most time.

If any of you family members want one, send me your parts and I will make it for you.

Anyone want a mouse or cigarette lighter paperweight?