SunControl Prototypes Fully Functional – Grove Raspberry Pi/Arduino

July 2, 2017 Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Solar Cells, Solar Power, SunControl, SwitchDoc Products

SunControl Prototypes Fully Functional – Grove Raspberry Pi/Arduino

News from SwitchDoc Labs Engineering!   The SunControl boards have checked out 100% functional and we will shortly release them to manufacturing.

The SunControl Kickstarter goals have been met and the kickstarter is still active (as of  July 2, 2017):

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[callout size=”col-12″ title=”Checkout the SunControl Kickstarter” button_title=”Go to Kickstarter” button_link=”https://kck.st/2rGInI0″  button_size=”normal” button_rounded=”true” button_color=”red”]

What is SunControl? – A Systems Approach to your Solar Project

The latest SwitchDoc Labs Kickstarter is SunControl, an advanced version of the SunAir/SunAirPlus product line with sensors to watch what is going on in the system. Same charging system and voltage booster but with a number of improved features for measuring, displaying and CONTROLLING what your Solar Power System is doing.

Features

  • – Solar Power Your System
  • – Charge your Batteries
  • – Control Your Computer Power
  • – Gather Important Data
  • – Improve Your Reliability
  • – Qi Wireless Charging Too!
  • – Grove Connectors – No Soldering
  • – Full MPPT LiPo Battery charging system
  • – 5V Voltage Booster for USB Power
  • – Computer Power Full Data Collection on the solar panels, battery and computer system via I2C. KNOW YOUR DATA!
  • – USB PowerControl – control the USB Port bboth by the charging system and by your computer
  • – Fully independent Hardware WatchDog Timer – dramatically improves the reliability of your system.
  • – Will charge phones (Android, iPhone and iPad)SunControl is customizable with your software and hardware.
SunControl
SunControl Test Jig

SunControl Engineering Report:

Data Collector I2C INA3221 – All Channels Function at 3.3V and 5V I2C Interface

  • Battery checked
  • Solar Cell checked
  • Load Current checked

Solar Charger and Battery Controller

  • Solar Cell Interface
  • Battery Controller
  • MPPT Circuitry
  • Temperature Control

Anti Solar Collapse Circuitry

100% functional – tested to 7.15W (1300mA).   We are very pleased that we got this part correct.

5V Voltage Boost

Correct Voltage (5.12V – Allows for USB Cable Losses)

  • Switch Functional
  • Internal Voltage Correct
  • External USB Voltage Correct

Load Current

Current specifications met.

Tested to 1220mA.   Voltage still above USB Spec.    System specification is 1000mA supply.

USB PowerControl

Completely Functional

  • Enable, Control, Voltage Sample, Hysteresis Works
  • Enable and Control on Grove Functional – Grove overrules Battery Voltage Control
  • USB Power Turned on and off under Grove Control
  • Battery Voltage Control (default) Works
  • Hysteresis is Correct (3.3V Battery Level – USB Turns off, Turns USB on at 3.7V)

Independent Hardware WatchDog Timer

100% Functional

  • Power on Default of 1 minute Timer
  • All 8 Programmable modes tested (64s, 32s, 16s, 10s, 8s, 4s, 2s, 1s) for watchdog wake
  • Pat the Dog Tested and Verified
  • Resets Measured, both Open Drain and Pulse high

USB For iPhone / iPad Charging

100% Functional

Up Next?

We will be releasing the product to manufacturing and finish up the SunControl specification and software drivers.