SolarMAX LiPo Solar Power System and Data Gathering System for SkyWeather / Raspberry Pi / Arduino

SolarMAX LiPo is a SwitchDoc Labs designed system to charge LiPo batteries from Large 12V Solar panels in order to provide more power to small computer systems. SolarMAX is designed to collect and return data about the solar panel system to the powered (or other) computer via a LoRa link.  SolarMAX collects and transmits the following data via 433MHz LoRa Radio every 30 seconds.  No data cable needed!  It transmits:

• LiPo Battery Voltage
• LiPo Battery Current
• Solar Panel Voltage
• Solar Panel Current
• Load Voltage
• Load Current

It also supplies the following about inside the SolarMAX box:

• Inbox Temperature
• Inbox Humidity

SolarMAX uses a 433MHz LoRa module which can transmit up to 2 kilometres or further with larger antennas and uses very little power.   You plug the included receiver into a Raspberry Pi or Arduino.

This is a perfect system for powering SkyWeather and other small computer systems.

CHECK YOUR RASPBERRY PI CONFIGURATION

 If operating on GUI, open up Preferences->Raspberry Pi Configuration and the Interfaces tab on the screen.   Make sure the Serial Port and Serial Console are marked Enable and Disable as shown below.  If you are using a headless unit, invoke “sudo raspi-config” from a command line and change the same values.

SOLARMAX SPECIFICATIONS

WHAT IS IN THE SOLARMAX LIPO KIT?

• High current INA3221 with Terminals
• 12V Solar Charger for LiPo
• USB PowerCentral
• Dual WatchDog Timer
• 16MHz Mini Pro LP
• 6 Port I2C Hub
• HDC1080 Temp Hum
• LoRa 433MHz Radio
• LoRa 433MHz Radio
• MC4 Plus Female (and Pin)
• MC4 Minus Male (and Pin)
• USB Weatherproof Plug
• Short USB Cable Type A - Type A
• 20cm Grove Cables - 6 Cables
• Grove Connector to Female Pin Headers - 1 Cable
• Single Wire Female to Female Jumper - 2 Wires

WHAT ELSE IS REQUIRED FOR BUILDING THE SOLARMAX LIPO KIT?

3.7V LiPo battery    - We recommend > 6600mAh  adafruit.com - we often use the https://www.adafruit.com/product/353

M2 Nylon Hex Thread Assortment - https://shop.switchdoc.com/products/140pcs-box-m2-nylon-hex-thread-assortment-kit

Solid Core Hookup Wire 22 Gauge - https://amzn.to/3202Ppa

Bud Enclosure NBB-22241 Style B - 6-25/32” x 10-23/32” x 6-25/32” - https://amzn.to/2zk8B8R

WHAT SOLAR PANELS CAN I USE

Many different types of 12V solar panels.  Just make sure the VOC is less than 24V.  YOU NEED TO CHECK THE VOC (Voltage Open Circuit).  Exceed 24V will destroy SolarMAX.

Our recommendations:

100W 12V Solar Panel with MC4 Connectors - https://amzn.to/2ZlBv32

-Or-

50W 12V Solar Panel with MC4 Connectors - https://amzn.to/2ZrFT0e

Optional

Solar Panel Crimping tools for MC4 (optional) - https://amzn.to/2U6IN9J

Tools

• Soldering Iron
• Straight blade Small Screwdriver
• Crosspoint Small Screwdriver
• Super Glue
• Silicon Caulking
• Wire cutter
• Wire stripper

Drill

Drill Bits for

• 1” holes
• 2/3” holes