Solar power for your arduino

Very interesting, thank you. I'm looking forward to future posts!

Alan

I'm also keen to see the final result.

Just for info, in on of my former occupations we had a number of lead acid batteries being charged for remote systems.

Over a while we worked out that 13.2v was the optimal float voltage to ensure that adequate capacity and minimal electrolyte loss.

Gell cells are 13.6v.

There should be no reason why you can't open circuit the solar panel on a 12v system, rather than try reducing the current.

One of our local Arduino suppliers has this interesting post regarding sizing.

https://nicegear.co.nz/blog/what-size-solar-panel-and-battery-do-i-need/

Cheers

Mark

Thank you for the comments. I will keep them in mind for the post about the battery.

Now I wrote a post concerning the load that will be connected to the PV system. Determining and optimizing the load is the first step in dimensioning the system and making it efficient in terms of cost and resources consumption. The article is about choosing the right system voltage and how to reduce power needs to a minimum.

If interested look at:

http://heliosoph.mit-links.info/solar-power-for-your-arduino-load/

hope it helps

heliosoph

This is great, and I have marked your blog so I can keep track of your steps.  I am currently saving to move my pellet smoker grill off electricity and use solar with a battery backup to power it so your blog will help me make sure I have all the proper parts.  I am also in the process of designing a temperature probe (arduino or beagle) for the smoker and that will be ran off of solar as well.  In my case I am just going to run an inverter as there is no way economical way to have the grill run off of 12v so the temp probe will be just plugged into the inverter as well.

Also, I love tinkering and trying to figure out things for myself, I also look to see if there is something there that is there an can do what I need for a fair price.  I stumbled on this and I think it might work for you:

http://www.ankaka.com/high-capacity-solar-charger-and-battery-w-flashlight-11200mah_p46591.html ( though your may not need the flashlight or mosquito repellent).

Hello all,

thank you very much for your replies!

Now it's time for the next post: It is about the battery. While writing I saw that it became too long. So I split it in two parts. The first one is here:

http://heliosoph.mit-links.info/solar-power-for-your-arduino-battery-characteristics/

It is about the basic function of the battery in the system and what characteristics are important to know. The next post will be about the different types of lead-acid batteries and how to choose the right capacity.

Hope you enjoy it

heliosoph

Hello all,

now the second post about the batteries is online: Determining the capacity and selecting the type and technology that fits best to your needs. If interested look at:

http://heliosoph.mit-links.info/solar-power-for-your-arduino-battery-selection/

Now the battery section of my series about PV powering an arduino is complete. The next post is about to come!

Hope this helps

heliosoph

I'LL BE LOOKING FOR NEW PROJECT ON SPV

Hello all,

it goes on: The first post about the energy source of each PV system is online: PV module basics. It is about the electrical beaviour of a module and about the meaning of the technical data one can find in the data sheet of a module. If interested look at:

http://heliosoph.mit-links.info/solar-power-arduino-pv-module-basics/

Enjoy

heliosoph

Hello all,

the next post is online: Dimensioning the PV module. This post shows you how to find the right size of module using online calculating tools. It also tells you something about the right mounting position regarding shade and orientation.

If interested look at:

http://heliosoph.mit-links.info/solar-power-arduino-pv-module-dimensioning/

Enjoy

heliosoph

Thanks for exploring, creating and posting- ANYTHING that is Solar is GREAT for all of us!! LOVE it!!