Trying to figure out how to solar power an embedded device

I have an Arndale octa board which itself needs 5V 3A power supply. Then I have four (4x) DC 5V motors and a 5V servo, and a number of other peripheals. So I think 5V 5A is safe to assume?

I want to power all of this with Solar, which if there's not enough light I will switch to a backup battery (that the solar also charges, during idle time)

I tried doing some research but I'm just so confused. I know I will need like 12 or 24V rechargable battery and a buck regulator, perhaps a board that regulates between solar/battery and such, and solar panels. But I am really in over my head trying to figure out the pieces. Can someone please help point me to some good products on the site to do what I want?

[edited by moderator: deleted link to commercial website]

Hi,

Then I have four (4x) DC 5V motors and a 5V servo, and a number of other peripheals. So I think 5V 5A is safe to assume?

Click to expand...

They may consume 50mA, or they may consume 50A ...how can we know?

Battery capacity:
Measure the current and multiply it with the hours to get Ah.
Multiply Ah with Volts to get Wh.

Example: an 8Ah, 12 V battery gives energy of about 100Wh
Your controller board needs 5V, 3A, this is 15W.
Divide the 100Wh of the battery by the 15W of the controller board and get a runtime of about 6h.

But all this is with 100% healthy batteries and 100% conversion efficiency. This is not realistic.
I'd rather calculate with 50%.

You this all is +, -, ×, /...

Klaus