I built a mini solar charging station using a used car battery and a 50W solar panel (costing less than NZ$50).
I tested it for the first time today, and the results were much better than I expected.
I just wanted to play around with it, but it felt like I'd successfully opened a blind box.
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🔋The materials I used are very simple (and inexpensive):
• One used car battery (not good for starting the car, but very stable for energy storage)
• 50W solar panel: a little over ¥100
• Controller: ¥30–50
• Several DC and USB cables
Total cost:
👉 Less than NZ$50
👉 Cheaper than a power bank
⸻🔌For my first test, I used it to power these devices:
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: Charged normally
• Power bank: Charged normally
• USB fan: Spinned very steadily
• Can also power small 12V devices (router/small pump)
And when there's sunshine, it continuously replenishes the battery, and the voltage is very stable.
I didn't expect such an inexpensive combination to achieve this effect.
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🌞Why do I think this is so practical?
Because it's essentially an **off-grid charging station**:
• Automatic charging during the day
• Battery acts as a buffer for energy storage
• Plug and play
• Powers phones, cameras, and routers.
Key point: Inexpensive materials, no professional knowledge required, and easy to assemble.
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🧩 In short: In the first test, it stably powered a phone, power bank, and small fan.
The cost is less than NZ$50, which is worth the performance.
If you're interested, I'll continue testing for a few more days and then post the complete wiring diagram and actual power generation results.
