Welcome to EnviroDIY, a community for do-it-yourself environmental science and monitoring. EnviroDIY is part of WikiWatershed, a web toolkit designed to help citizens, conservation practitioners, municipal decision-makers, researchers, educators, and students advance knowledge and stewardship of fresh water. New to EnviroDIY? Start here

Solar Power Voltage Limit

Home Forums Mayfly Data Logger Solar Power Voltage Limit

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • #1875
      Bert Rubash
      Participant

        I notice in the MayFly schematic near the diode for the “v_solar” input a “20V-1A” note. The MCP73831 charge management controller data sheet lists 6 volts as the upper limit for Vdd. I assume I need to pre-regulate solar power down to 5 or 6 volts; is that correct? What does the “20V-1A” note mean?

      • #1876
        Shannon Hicks
        Moderator

          “20V-1A” is just the rating of the protection diode on the PC board. When choosing a solar panel for the Mayfly, you should only connect ones that are listed as 6 volt panels, and do not use a 9-volt or 12-volt panel.

        • #1879
          Bert Rubash
          Participant

            Thanks. Just what I needed to know.

        Viewing 2 reply threads
        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.