chuckjay
New Member
Posts: 22
Raspberry Pi: Yes
Other Device: MacIntosh, Arduino
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Post by chuckjay on Jul 14, 2018 9:34:43 GMT -8
I just got an OurWeather station built and running with the Solar add-on kit. The solar panels seem to be putting out good power (4V+), but the battery doesn’t seem to be charging with the FullDataString showing a current draw and the PowerControl shutting things down after a while. Any suggestions?
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Post by SDL on Jul 14, 2018 15:37:00 GMT -8
Look at the OurWeather Display and record all three numbers that come from the SunAIrPlus. Post them here and we can help!
BP
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Post by SDL on Jul 14, 2018 15:37:48 GMT -8
P.S. 4V is not going to do much. It needs to be about 5V for the power to really come in!
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chuckjay
New Member
Posts: 22
Raspberry Pi: Yes
Other Device: MacIntosh, Arduino
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Post by chuckjay on Jul 15, 2018 5:01:37 GMT -8
That may explain it. I currently have it set up inside with a bright ligh on it to test it out before deploying it to its final home. I had made the assumption that if the solar panel voltage was higher than the rated battery voltage, it would charge.
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Post by SDL on Jul 15, 2018 6:30:36 GMT -8
Chuckjay,
That is a common assumption. 6V Solar cells don't really supply much power until they get close to 5V and it goes up a lot when it does that. A bright light does allow you to test things though as far as current and voltage reporting!
You will be amazed when you take it out to the sun.
BP
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chuckjay
New Member
Posts: 22
Raspberry Pi: Yes
Other Device: MacIntosh, Arduino
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Post by chuckjay on Jul 17, 2018 4:31:36 GMT -8
That was it! Once I got the solar panels in the sun, it charged like a champ. Thanks for the help and education!
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Post by SDL on Jul 17, 2018 16:47:50 GMT -8
Chuck,
That is what we are here for! Let us see some pictures!
BP
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