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Published 20 hours ago • verified publisher icon FutureSharks

Black connector between Photon & Solar panel

Open TobiasVdb opened this issue 7 years ago • 7 comments

In your list of hardware elements I see no mention of the black plug you use between solar panel & photon. Is this a voltage regulator? plug

Will following solar panel also work? https://www.seeedstudio.com/2.5W-Solar-Panel-116X160-p-953.html

Cool project !

TobiasVdb avatar Mar 23 '17 10:03 TobiasVdb

Hi, It's not a regulator, it's just simply a plug.

Yes that panel will work but I recommend larger if you can.

Thanks!

FutureSharks avatar Mar 23 '17 10:03 FutureSharks

Solar Panel connector (JST?) to USB plug ? Or what is it for? Is there no need for a voltage regulator? I assume Photon requires a steady 5V, which solar panel can't supply ?

To avoid confusion, some assumptions. Solar panel has white (JST?) connector, black plug converts to usb and plugs into Photon. Battery shield has Lipo Connector for battery. Photon always draws power from battery through battery shield.

Don't understand how solar panel can charge battery through the photon?

Thanks for the quick reply

TobiasVdb avatar Mar 23 '17 10:03 TobiasVdb

Yes, JST to USB, it's just a plug adapter, nothing more.

There is no need for a regulator because the SparkFun Photon Battery Shield takes care of all that.

All your assumptions are correct.

If you read this: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/photon-battery-shield-hookup-guide "charge your battery through USB"

So the solar panel goes straight into the USB connector. It works fine as long as the solar panel outputs 4-5V and not more.

FutureSharks avatar Mar 23 '17 11:03 FutureSharks

Thanks !

Solar panels from Seeed all have the following disclaimer (https://www.seeedstudio.com/2.5W-Solar-Panel-116X160-p-953.html): The typical open circuit voltage is around 5V, depending on light intensity. In those bright summer days with clear sky and big sun, the peak OC voltage can rush up to 10V.
Does this form a problem ?

TobiasVdb avatar Mar 23 '17 11:03 TobiasVdb

Yes, that is a problem.

This is the regulator on the Photon: http://www.richtek.com/assets/product_file/RT8008/DS8008-07.pdf

"Absolute Maximum Ratings (Note 1) z Supply Input Voltage------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6.5V"

FutureSharks avatar Mar 23 '17 12:03 FutureSharks

Then I need a Solar Panel with max 5V output or a voltage regulator ? Can you link me to the panel you used?

TobiasVdb avatar Mar 23 '17 12:03 TobiasVdb

I used this one: http://www.ebay.de/itm/371421301483

It outputs 5-6V. I recommend higher than 2.5W as it's not really enough in non-direct sun light.

FutureSharks avatar Mar 23 '17 12:03 FutureSharks