While considering powering my NodeMCU weather station with solar power (see this thread), I remembered I also had a MKR 1010 lying around. Since it has a LiPo connector, I wondered if it simplifies the process.
My question is: what happens if I power it with both a solar panel and a LiPo battery? Will it take the solar power when available and charge the battery as well?
Alternatively, would the following scheme suffice (with LiPo replacing the Power bank)? Same mechanism there. Solar charging the power bank when daylight is available.
Solar panel => TP4056 => MKR1010
Power bank => TP4056 (via usb)
Since there are no things called LiPo Solar Charge Controllers, using a LiPo charge will cause a battery damaging charge discharge cycle that will require a new set of batteries once every 3 or 4 months. Remeber LiPo's do not charge properly whiles under load.
Use a PWM or MPPT Solar charge controller and a lead acid or LiFePo4 12V battery and 12V, loaded, 14+V unloaded, solar cell.
Anyways, You'll want to feed the TP4056 with 6V, step down from 12V, to get a good charge and to deliver 5.0V out. Ifin memory serves, you get one amp. To reduce the charge discharge cycle, the output of the TP4056 should go to a MPC1700 3.3V regulator. The regulator will help with stopping the battery from dropping to low; key word is help.
east1999:
My question is: what happens if I power it with both a solar panel and a LiPo battery? Will it take the solar power when available and charge the battery as well?
You can't do that, you have to create a microcontroller based system, where you have to measure current from both sources and if solar is working then you can disconnect the battery and use solar & vice versa. And that power will be provided to Arduino MKR 1010
Moreover, you also need to design a battery charger if you want to charge from solar like MPPT charger.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Those are called Solar Charge Controllers and their are 2 types.
MPPT and PWM are the 2 types of charge controllers.
The solar project does not run off the solar cells. The solar project runs off the battery. The Charge controller charges the battery. When the battery is fully charged the charge controller shuts off power to the battery. When the battery drops down to a preset level, the charge controller starts charging the battery, if their is input power.
Running your cabin out in the woods, get a MPPT Charge Controller. Powering a project get a PWM Charge Controller.
Those charge controller with displays out on the pole in your yard closed up in a watertight enclosure waste battery power.
I think the circuit you're describing is more or less like this, am I correct?
I also wonder if something like this would work, with just a 12v panel and my board, and nothing else.
Lastly, just in budgetary terms, how much should I expect to pay for this? From my calculations, I'm thinking something in the range of 35 to 50$. That's normal, right?
east1999:
I think the circuit you're describing is more or less like this, am I correct?
I have tried that path in the past using the TP4056, it does not work well in the long run but you are quite welcome to try. You'll spend time and money on the parts, your batteries will need regular replacements, and in the end you'll get a PWM charge controller with a 12V solar cell, a 12V LiFePo4 or lead acid battery, and would have spent more then if it was done correctly in the first place.
There is not a good LiPo solar solution. LiPo needs to be out of circuit and not under load for a proper charge.
east1999:
Lastly, just in budgetary terms, how much should I expect to pay for this? From my calculations, I'm thinking something in the range of 35 to 50$. That's normal, right?
I paid $36 for a 10W solar panel. The price included a charge controller. The lead-acid battery (12v, 7 AH) was another $25.
S.