Minty Boost
The Minty Boost is a small, make-it-yourself, battery-powered charger for USB devices, built into an Altoids gum tin. The tin is not absolutely necessary to the device's operations, but it protects the works, makes the charger portable, and looks great. Minty Boost runs on common AA batteries (I use rechargeables), so it's easy to use on the road. I enjoy that I can boost the charge on my iPod without having to surrender a USB port on my laptop. According to inventor, Limor Fried (aka "Lady Ada"), a MintyBoost will run an iPod 2.5 times longer than a 9V USB charger. Minty Boost is well-known in the world of open-source, DIY technology, but obscure in the mainstream, because Fried does not sell them pre-assembled. Instead she offers fairly-priced kits, as well as free parts lists and DIY instructions on her web site ladyada.net. Sometimes you can find assembled Minty Boosts for sale on the site's forums for a slight markup. I was lucky enough to receive mine as a gift from my boyfriend, whose soldering skills far surpass my own.
Favorite (15)
ladyada
Thanks for the nice review emily. But next time you make a kit (perhaps a tv-b-gone??) You should have him teach you how to put it together. All my $20 kits are designed for beginners! And you can try your hand at another cool tool: the soldering iron :)
Jim Perry
Gotta love Cool Tools. I ordered one of these probably a year and a half ago, and have had it sitting around unbuilt, silently rebuking my lazy ways. Your post reminded me I had it, and over the past 45 minutes or so I got it built. Tested it and it's putting out a solid 5v. Seems to charge my 3G iPhone just fine. Ladyada - any issues with using the 1.1 version with the iPhone?
Moses410
Thanks for linking my Etsy shop! This will sure keep me busy over the next few days, got 7 orders already! :)
Just so everyone knows, I sell the v 1.2 (current version) MintyBoost and they DO charge iPod touches / iPhones.
Thanks for the feature.
Mike
Zahal
Has anyone tried making this with a Li battery? One of those small 3 volt ones could be used and then the system could be minuscule.
erasei
I've had one of these for a couple of years now I guess. It was my first serious (at least I considered it serious at the time) soldering project. Ladyada's site and descriptions as well as active forum make it really easy to troubleshoot anything that does go wrong, although with this kit it is hard to go wrong. Also, I've taken it through countless airports with no problem from security.
I do have one warning about this project though: Mintyboost is the gateway drug to DIY electronics projects. Order at your own risk! :D
Mike K
My son bought several of these kits about 2-3 years ago and built them for himself and gifts for his 2 sisters for Christmas. He had a lot of fun doing it and the little chargers became quite popular - he ended up making and selling about 8 of them. My girls still use them to charge up their iPods when they travel.
Mark A
I looked at Ladyada's kit and decided that for me, when I travel, i want to keep the number of things I carry to a minimum. Since I routinely use NiMh batteries that would mean carrying a small charger as well. Instead I picked up the Sanyo eneloop Mobile USB Booster which has a built in high capacity LiPo battery and can be charged with either a provided AC adapter (7 hours) or USB port (14) hours.
I paid $39 on Amazon - a current seller has them at $35.
gary
Great project even for a beginner. As an upgrade, or a more sustainable project, you can build the MightMintyBoost with its solar charger & larger battery. Works great for iPhones apparently. Project is at Instructables for those interested:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-solar-iPodiPhone-charger-aka-Might/
Don
I have one and love it, but one important caveat: it WILL NOT EFFECTIVELY CHARGE AN IPHONE WITH STANDARD BATTERIES. It simply cannot put out the necessary amperage. It WILL work fine with rechargable Li-ions or higher priced lithium disposable batteries.
That's good enough for me - I simply keep the boost in my shoulder bag without batteries. If I am on the go and can't get to a wall-wart or car charger (not uncommon for those of us with good public transport) I can either put in some rechargable batteries if I notice the low charge at home or I can pop into the grocery and buy some lithiums.
But don't think there's anything wrong with your boost if you have an iphone. You simply need a higher output.