texansooner
New Member
Posts: 15
Raspberry Pi: Yes
Other Device: Many
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Post by texansooner on Nov 16, 2020 19:59:50 GMT -8
I am quickly coming to the same conclusion - I will continue to mess with the solar power system, but I am going to run the weather station for the winter on a plug. I was under the mistaken idea the zener was required if using non SDL panels, but I will use one when I try the panels again.
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smurphy
Full Member
Posts: 169
Raspberry Pi: Yes
Other Device: many ...
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Post by smurphy on Nov 17, 2020 9:46:17 GMT -8
My panels (regular ones) provided continuous 6V more or less. Once the battery was full however, the voltage went up to 8+V. The Zener diode limiting the current was getting too hot if not connected to a heat-spreader (Metal or so). It p[ractically unsoldered itself from the cables. Note that with the 5.6V Zener diode, the system was rock stable, as long as the Battery provided power and in winter, it was sometimes for only 30min during the day
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