lapa678
Junior Member level 1
Hi There!
Inspired by lack of electricity on my camping site, I am trying to put together a DIY solar battery charger. At the first attempt, I will try to do something simple.
Here is the concept I have in my head:
I found few circuits that follow the same concept: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, ... but there are plenty of those.
Since analog electronics are not my strong side, I have few questions:
1. Some solutions use only MOS key to connect solar panel to battery and load. Is that valid solution? Solar Panel provides 18V, while for charging rather 14V is needed. My gut feeling is to put converter there..
2. Do I need to use Buck converter if I have Battery? Arduino could do the PWM and control of Voltages/currents, but since there is battery, I guess the only thing needed is making sure that Battery does not go below ~12V.
3. Do I need MPPT? I would say that making sure Solar panels don't go down on output voltage is enough (i.e. by using PWM) - I don't need max power there.
You input will be very much appreciated!
Cheers!
Tomasz
Inspired by lack of electricity on my camping site, I am trying to put together a DIY solar battery charger. At the first attempt, I will try to do something simple.
Here is the concept I have in my head:
I found few circuits that follow the same concept: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, ... but there are plenty of those.
Since analog electronics are not my strong side, I have few questions:
1. Some solutions use only MOS key to connect solar panel to battery and load. Is that valid solution? Solar Panel provides 18V, while for charging rather 14V is needed. My gut feeling is to put converter there..
2. Do I need to use Buck converter if I have Battery? Arduino could do the PWM and control of Voltages/currents, but since there is battery, I guess the only thing needed is making sure that Battery does not go below ~12V.
3. Do I need MPPT? I would say that making sure Solar panels don't go down on output voltage is enough (i.e. by using PWM) - I don't need max power there.
You input will be very much appreciated!
Cheers!
Tomasz