Minty Boost v3.0 USB Charger

Recently while online, I happened to stumble across a nifty little doohickey which had instantly caught my curious attention. The object in question is sold by a company named adafruit Industries, and is a neat little battery powered USB charger called the Minty Boost. Nicknamed I'm assuming in the reuse of the now defunct chewing gum package offered by Altoids, the once favored tin is now seeing new life discovered elsewhere through this easy do-it-yourself kit. Basically it is advertised as a powerful USB charger that will charge just about anything that has a USB port, and will do so longer had it been charged using a standard 9v application. Regardless of what claims were being made, I felt my extensive usage out in the field of such small gadgetry warranted me looking into said product further.   

With that, a quick order was placed via the online web store. In short time, the supplies needed came neatly packaged and ready for prompt assembly. For reference, the official website for the Minty Boost contains all the pertinent information needed for the fabrication of, and precise tools needed to construct it. Upon first glance, the tiny circuit board seems so small to be working on to a complete novice. Various little resistors, capacitors, and other parts following suit as well in size. Once underway though, assembly came rather quickly I might add whilst following along with the online instructions posted. With all the internal circuitry soldered up, all that really was left to do was test it out before final installation into the tin container. After quick insertion of some batteries, I attached my cell phone and plugged the USB cord into the Minty Boost. Almost instantly, the indicator light came on showing that the phone was now currently being charged. Success!!!      

After some short work with a number # 6 mill file post having drilled out a couple pilot holes, I notched out the space required for the insertion of the female USB jack. Doing so in this manner I felt, allowed me to retain the structural continuity overall of the tin case. With some last minute prep-work, final installation of the kit was soon complete with a nice solid fit being found all around. Appearance wise, I had a small sticker sitting around representative of my favorite mountain bike wheel manufacturer. It easily fit right on top of the tin container in prefect fashion, and walla - my own American Classic version of the Minty Boost was born.

Looking ahead, there is no doubt that I will be using this product quite frequently and very soon with some fast approaching Hawaiian adventures ready to unfold. Besides being down right fun in building, I also felt the value of this package was relatively a drop in the bucket. Coming in at right around $20 bucks cost, it seems as though that is very inexpensive price to pay perhaps in regards to possibly missing that one great photo due to loss of charge. Guaranteed for that one lone reason, is exactly why the Minty Boost will be right there alongside me for any future excursion should I need it. Having that portable extra boost and added security for all my much heavily relied upon powered gear, surely will take away any worriment which might have been previously associated with said issue before.