In addition, it also has an LCD system for showcasing its varying parameters. The system's LEDs indicate the battery, load current, and solar panel status. Finally, the course also has a fuse to enable overcurrent protection.

Furthermore, a Schottky diode hinders a reverse current from the circuit's battery to the solar panel. The circuit features a TVS diode for protecting the solar panel from an input overvoltage. Lastly, the transistors have two resistors that are handy in controlling their base current. Ideally, two transistors and two pull-up resistors facilitate the functioning of the MOSFETS driver circuits. On the other hand, the second MOSFET is imperative in driving the load. The first MOSFET is handy in sensing a charging pulse to the circuit's battery. The circuit's two MOSFETs are responsible for the control operations. Besides, there is a DS18B20 temperature sensor for measuring the requisite battery temperature. Also, the course has two filter capacitors responsible for unwanted noise signal elimination.įurther, the circuit has ACS712 modules for sensing the battery and solar panel currents. These are responsible for detecting the solar power voltage and the battery voltage. It has voltage divider circuits with several resistors. Next, the output voltage from the buck converter moves to the following four parts: Input Sensors The circuit's MP2307 buck converter steps down the battery power to 5V. The Arduino PWM solar charge controller is an agglomeration of various circuits that we'll explore at length below.

Also, it enables indication/display, serial communication, and USB charging for smart devices.įigure 4: Illustrating the recyclability of Solar Energy.

Further, it is a shield over abnormal conditions such as over-current, over-voltage, short-circuiting, and vagaries of nature like lightning.

Primarily, the feature ensures automatic electrical load connection and disconnection, thus ensuring overload protection.

In addition, it is imperative to enhance load control/ current protection functions.

The deep discharge protection occurs once the battery is in a low state of charge.

Secondly, it also stops battery over-discharge by initiating battery disconnection from the electrical loads.

It guarantees battery overcharge protection by cutting the battery's energy content supply/ charging current once fully charged.

Further, it is responsible for the following functions: Main Functions of Solar Charge ControllerĪ Solar charge controller's main role is circuit protection. In addition, it also functions as an adaptive battery power source and finds specific use in in-field charging applications.Īlso, using it together with a 3.0V-4.2V battery will shift the voltage to a 5V output voltage. It's a stackable shield that you can use together with Arduino-compatible platforms that are primarily useful as an energy harvester. Figure 1: Illustrating the Solar Energy Flow from source to load

Arduino battery charger