MCP73831 Solar charger with load sharing

[igonine]

Hi:

I want to build this circuit, but instead of powering it via USB or AC adapter, i intend to use a 5v solar cell if it is possible.
My only concern is how the solar panel manages the current. Does is works like a regular voltage source, and only supplies the current that the system requires or it may send unwanted excess current and needs to be limited?

The project is a automated watering system. During the day it will power the system and charge the battery at the same time, and by night the battery will power the system.
The circuit for powering and charging is this:
http://blog.zakkemble.co.uk/a-lithium-b ... d-sharing/

Will it be safe to use the solar cell with this circuit? The maximum output of the sollar cell is 280mA.

Thanks
João Ferreira

[homesolarcompanies]

Hi:

I want to build this circuit, but instead of powering it via USB or AC adapter, i intend to use a 5v solar cell if it is possible.
My only concern is how the home solar panel manages the current. Does is works like a regular voltage source, and only supplies the current that the system requires or it may send unwanted excess current and needs to be limited?

The project is a automated watering system. During the day it will power the system and charge the battery at the same time, and by night the battery will power the system.
The circuit for powering and charging is this:
http://blog.zakkemble.co.uk/a-lithium-b ... d-sharing/

Will it be safe to use the solar cell with this circuit? The maximum output of the solar cell is 280mA.

Thanks
João Ferreira

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[sarayu]

Make sure your circuit can run on the full voltage range of the battery

[Shilden_72]

Hello everyone,

I'm really interested by that kind of circuit as well. I was planning to buy a house and make it as solar-powered as possible. So far, what I think can be linked to a solar power supply would be the watering system, the cleaning pump of the swimming pool, the window blinds (with a back-up hand crank to open/close them if needed), the air conditioning and the hot water tank. These are mostly comfort-related things, I plan to keep key elements like lighting, kitchen appliances, the wifi router and refrigerator plugged to the main electricity supply, in order to minimise risks.
This is the house I've been planning to buy : https://tranio.com/greece/adt/1685878/. The garden would be, I think, large enough to put extra solar cells if there isn't enough space on the roof. I'm planning to be there mostly from late May to early October, so sunlight in Greece in summer won't be a concern, there will be more than enough.

Do you think that my plan is realistic? Do you think that solar cells able to power a watering system for the trees and (yet to be installed) vegetable garden are able to provide enough power for the air conditioning or hot water tank? Won't the salt-charged air from the sea or the heat damage the cells, their cables and other installations?

Thanks a lot!