How To Build an MPPT Solar Charge Controller with Arduino

How To Build an MPPT Solar Charge Controller with Arduino

Julian Ilett has a series of 20 YouTube videos that show you how he built an MPPT solar charge controller with Arduino. Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is electronic tracking that enables the charge controller to compare the output of the panels to the battery voltage. It then figures out what is the best power that the panel can put out to charge the battery.

What that usually means that it tries to increase the charge on cloudy days (or in the mornings if your panel is not pointed to the sun) so that you can get the most from your panels.

  

Arduino MPPT Solar Charge Controller by Julian Ilett

 What is nice about this one is that he walks you through "How To" build the graphic display.

MPPT Solar Charger Graphic Display by Julian Ilett

 


There are 20 videos in Julian's video series, and they start here:

 

MPPT Solar Charge Controller #1 - Introduction and Voltage Measurement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSz4-cr3EJw&list=PLjzGSu1yGFjWv4KeN-7TSYeQIcicM9Ghl

At video #14, he changes the name of the series:

Arduino MPPT Solar Charge Controller #14 - Stable Current Measurements 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqKOyRdB2RU&index=14&list=PLjzGSu1yGFjWv4KeN-7TSYeQIcicM9Ghl

 And, if you would like to see where he ended with the videos on this topic, here is #20:

Arduino MPPT Solar Charge Controller #20 - Inductor Discontinuous Mode

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9UFrCIVp0Y&list=PLjzGSu1yGFjWv4KeN-7TSYeQIcicM9Ghl&index=20

California Nonprofit Offers Free Solar Panels to Its Poorest

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle via SFGate Magazine

 
A new California program by the Oakland nonprofit Grid Alternatives will install home solar arrays in disadvantaged neighborhoods and aims to make solar power available to lower-income families — using money from the state’s fight against global warming. 

Full story by David R. Baker at SFGate Magazine:

  
  http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Low-income-homeowners-get-free-solar-panels-6281762.php

Wind Turbines With No Blades

Wind Turbines With No Blades

A prototype of the Vortex Bladeless wind turbine from Wired Magazine

 

"A Spanish company called Vortex Bladeless is proposing a radical new way to generate wind energy that will once again upend what you see outside your car window."

If you happen to see one of these, and are wondering what the heck it is....

Full story at:

http://www.wired.com/2015/05/future-wind-turbines-no-blades/

How To Build a Solar Cabin For Under $2000

How To Build a Solar Cabin For Under $2000

Nice video by Lamar Alexander, includes links to plans.

It is a 14' x 14' cabin with loft, providing about 400 square feet.
Power system is 580 watts Solar electric and 400 Watts wind power which powers a 12 volt fridge, lights, water pump, TV's, laptop and many gadgets. 
Heat source can be propane or wood stove. 
Toilet is solar assisted composting.

How to Build the SolN1 Portable Solar Generator for Safety

How to Build the SolN1 Portable Solar Generator for Safety

LaserSaber came up with the idea of a light-weight mobile solar power generator with his video on YouTube.

However, the original SolN1 is missing the controller, and that controller should be compatible with LiFePO4 batteries...

Also, if you use the flat LiFePO4 batteries, you really need a Protection Circuit Module (PCM) for charging the four (flat) LiFePO4 batteries.

Here's a video from John Strabismus where he has the LiFePO4 controller and PCM:

  
The charge controller is needed so that you do not overcharge the battery. If you overcharge the battery, the LiFePO4 batteries tend to swell up, and can emit some dangerous fumes. In the worst case, they can even catch fire.
 
The battery management system is required because combining batteries for total power can cause a discharge at different rates per battery. This can cause problems when charging, leaving some of the battery pack undercharged, and others overcharged.

Regarding sizing of the PCM module, John Strabismus says:
 

"The main thing to keep in mind with your PCM choice is the size of the inverter you will be running. LaserSaber chose a 150w inverter, fully loaded it will pull close to 15amps continuous and surge a bit higher, that's why the surge rating on the PCM is higher than needed, as the inverter starts up with load it will pull more amps briefly then settle to its load draw, so the 16amp PCM matches the 150watt inverter, if you go higher like a 200 watt inverter you will be over the 16amps draw fully loaded and this will more than likely cause the PCM to shut down the load , so using a 20amp PCM for a 200watt inverter will match the components better."

So, you should remember that the PCM chosen should be based upon the power of the inverter.

You can find the PCM circuit boards on BatterySpace.com:
------------------------------------  
  - PCM for a 150 Watt inverter:
------------------------------------  
Protection Circuit Module (PCM) for 4 cells (12.8V) LiFePO4 Battery Pack at 16A limited  
Part Number: PCM-LFP12.8V16A

http://www.batteryspace.com/pcmprotectioncircuitmodulefor4cells128vlifepo4batterypackat16alimited.aspx


-------------------------------   
PCM for a 200 Watt inverter:
-------------------------------
Protection Circuit Module (PCM) for 4 cells (12.8V) LiFePO4 Battery Pack at 20A limited
Part Number: PCB-LFP12V25A

http://www.batteryspace.com/PCB-for-4-cells-12.8V-LiFePO4-Battery-Pack-at-20A-limited.aspx

or

Part Number: PCB-LFP12.8V20A
http://www.batteryspace.com/pcbprotectioncircuitmodulefor4cells128vlifepo4batterypackat20alimited.aspx
   ------------------------------------------  

The "Flat" type of LiFePO4 batteries can be found on AliExpress:
 
3.2V 20Ah A123 LiFePO4 Prismatic APP72161227 PHEV/EV/E-REV Rechargeable Battery      $33.88 each x 4
http://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-a123-prismatic-lifepo4-20ah.html

3.2V 5C   20Ah
Nominal Voltage:    1.2V
Nominal Capacity:    20Ah
Size:    7x166x227mm       (.276" x 6.54" x 8.94")
Package Size:    10cm x 10cm x 5cm (3.94in x 3.94in x 1.97in)
Cell Weight:    About 496 g   (1.09 pounds ea.)
Cell Capacity (minimum, Ah):    19.6A
Charge voltage:    3.75V
Power:    Over 2,400 W/kg and 4,500 W/L
Continuous discharge rate:    5C 100A
Peak discharge rate:    20C 400A (10 seconds) 


The original SolN1 videos:

 DIY Build Session SOLN1 Portable Solar Power:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CUuqJDzo1U

 SOLN1 - Amazing all in one free energy portable solar unit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hy9wT7Vvkdw


DIY Build Session SOLN1 Portable Solar Power
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CUuqJDzo1U

SOLN1 - Amazing all in one free energy portable solar unit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy9wT7Vvkdw

Real Time SOLN1 Making-of + Other Updates
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2XwmnjnwH0

SOLN1 Version 3 - Solar made easy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Y5TvWpWoQ

SOLN1 Update - Testing the Mini Boostpack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0a-2Zcy-VI

Battery Free Solar! Real Time Solar - Nano BoostPack + SOLN1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_io9YHKdbTw
 
  
SOLN1 25 Kit Build Video - 20Ah Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUUwnMwRlTk