Mintyboost!

[Flyboone]

I'd like to do this as well. On the two battery setup, is it the voltage or the capacity that's the problem when using with an iPhone? Did you wire the 4 cell setup in parallel or series?

Thanks,
Jason Cole

[LionOfTheSouthUK]

Ordered one of these kits a few days ago. Having never soldered anything before, I went out and purchased a soldering iron and a couple of small electrical kits (PCB ) . Neither worked when done.Soldering iron has a 2.3mm tip, is that too big?? I wish I had read the forum and seen the guy selling ready made kits!!

[psylichon]

Well I gotta be honest, even with 4 batteries fresh batteries (wired in 2x parallel... circuit won't work with higher than 3V) I'm still barely charging the phone from the 20% warning (goes to about 95% charged then batteries die). Of course, if you keep feeding it batteries then it will keep charging, but the iPhone definitely gives it a workout. I haven't tried a full charge with alkalines yet, but I suspect they will be able to give a full charge plus a little bit more.

The other bad thing is you need to disconnect the iPhone if the batteries in the mintyboost are dead, because it will start draining your phone otherwise.

It's not ideal, and there are probably better pre-built solutions out there for less money and hassle. But I still had a lot of fun making it and enjoy showing it off to other geeks.

And it does work in a pinch. Which is pretty cool.

[psylichon]

Originally Posted by LionOfTheSouthUK

Ordered one of these kits a few days ago. Having never soldered anything before, I went out and purchased a soldering iron and a couple of small electrical kits (PCB ) . Neither worked when done.Soldering iron has a 2.3mm tip, is that too big?? I wish I had read the forum and seen the guy selling ready made kits!!

Try to get a geek buddy there to guide you if you can. Soldering's pretty easy once you get the hang of it, but if you get one thing wrong, the whole kit will be shot.

Regarding soldering tip size, I used the narrowest cone-shaped one I could find at Radio Shack. It didn't even actually fit my model of iron, but I made it work

[kokogirl]

Dave-you are just like McGuyver. Only cooler!

[psylichon]

No one's cooler than MacGyver. But you should see my mullet between haircuts...

[Woofus]

Great reading, Dave. I'd rank ya right up there even with McGyver.

I know it's probably not something you have tested, but I'd like to get your thoughts on something like this:

http://www.thepocketsolution.com/PSI...FQoaswod8D-2kA

Looks like they went with the 4 - AA setup, but they're claiming 2.5 charges per 4 batteries.

So in your own battery/charger/gizmo expertise, would that even be possible?

Would it be better served with heavy duty (expensive) batteries, or could one go the rechargeable and save a few bucks.

Another positive thing I see with this one (assuming it works) is that it probably would be a LOT easier to take on a plane, without being tackled to the ground by an overzealous TSA agent.

[psylichon]

Hey that looks great. Great price too! If they claim it can do 2.5x charge, that's pretty impressive on a 3G (which draws more power than a V1 iPhone does). I may have to pick one up at that price just to see... thanks for the link.

Although I still haven't tested my mintyboost with alkalines, so I'll report once I have. (I have to get some first)

I have a feeling I will get much more power from them (~3200 mAh vs. the 2600 mAh batteries I've been using)

[Flyboone]

Here's a case mod for the minty boost. I wanted it to work with my 3G iPhone so I needed to use four AA's, two sets of series, in parallel. I fit it all into one of the Dentyne Ice gum holders. You flip up the stock lid to gain access to the USB connector. Twist the lid off to change batteries. Works great! Sorry for the crappy low light iPhone photos.

Jason

[LionOfTheSouthUK]

OK, got the kit.Made it, and it seems to work. however I notice that it gets quite warm.Is that normal??