As you could probably tell, it's a sun tracking solar panel system which has both Automatic(using LDR values etc) and Manual(using potentiometer) modes to operate which can be toggled between using toggle switch, bme280(for temperature etc), and couple of ina219 sensors(one for measuring the solar panel output to the battery and one for the battery output to the actual load).
A bit about me: I have a degree in CS and i've always been obsessed with hardware and robotics but my degree was mostly software(so i can handle it very well), so I'm planning on learning Electrical and Mechanical Engineering(in this order) next to achieve my dreams, but before i start Electrical Engineering i wanna tinker with these kinda projects to familiarize myself with it.
Now, here are my obstacles:
I have seen some tutorials that use ina219 but all of them are utilizing only one ina219 but i wanna use two in my project that are kinda interconnected somehow as you can see from the diagram. Is it possible to do this with as less components as possible?, please tell me my options.
What are the chances of actually powering the arduino itself from the battery and using the battery as source(while the ina219 is measuring)?. As you could see from the diagram, i have 5V and 3.3V lines for my different components.
None of the components of my project are available in my region, so i have to order them from abroad and have them shipped, which takes time and shipping sometimes costs more than the package itself, So it's crucial that i get the right parts at once to save on the shipping and do it right the first time. If you see something in my diagram like reversed polarity etc, please let me know i don't wanna damage the components or the arduino or start a fire.
PS: English isn't my first language, so bear with me please.
Thank you very much in advance.
Hello, friend. Thanks for responding, I'm aware of the i2c protocol and how adafruit boards come with multiple addresses, but my main issue was if i could use the ina219 as shown in the image above.
Basically, the idea is to measure the solar panel's output to the battery with ina219 and then use another ina219 to measure the battery's output to the load(i.e USB connector as shown shown in the image). Is the way i connected and shown the image correct or should i make adjustments to the circuit?.
I wanna know how much is my solar panel gonna produce and how much i consume.
Thanks again.
Since Fritzing diagrams are pretty much incomprehensible, due to the poor labeling and ambiguous component orientation and wiring, it is impossible to predict whether your project will work.
However, breadboards cannot tolerate the high currents required for motors and servos, as the tracks will burn. They should never be used for final installations, and especially not for outdoor projects.
Hello, mate. I've seen tutorials where they use breadboard, the servo will only be used to adjust the angle every now and then not like rc car. You're right, there's no labeling on the components and i did the wiring myself based on this: Dual Axis Solar Tracker Panel with Auto and Manual Mode - Arduino Project Hub
and Internet of things (IoT)-based solar tracker - Arduino Project Hub
The only difference is that i combined features from both and added the dual ina219 and that the only part where i have doubts about it working.
And of course, I intend on building an enclosure for the whole project and this is only as hobby project, i don't intend on using it for the long term. The ina219 can only measure less than 50W and my solar panel has to be less than 50W, that's not even enough to be of any use.
I'm really fascinated by hardware and seeing software work and move things.
Thanks @jremington. I appreciate it.
Every day the regular Arduino forum participants have to deal with complaints from beginners whose projects don't work, and they point us toward just such tutorials.
There are all sorts of terrible advice on the web!
I totally agree with you, the other day i've seen some people combining TP4056, i almost bought into it until i saw people on this forum saying that's the best way to start camp fire lol.
Okay, What do you suggest for me here?
Thanks for your time.
A convenient approach is to use a servo power distribution PCB, ESPECIALLY with the MG996R servo, which draws 2.5A start/stall current. Breadboards are generally limited to 100-200 mA.
I kinda find the perf board/ stripboards kinda intimidating, with all the soldering and stuff. I wanna reuse some of the components in the future and all that.
These Adafruit boards are new to me tho, never thought something like this even exists. I see they look like a breadboard but have weird holes, how do these work? Do i have to solder the wires or what? because those holes seem big for the usual breadboard jumper cables.
I'm starting to fall in love with Adafruit, they have elegant, cool looking stuff and high quality stuff based on my observation.
Thanks, This guide helped a bit.
I have a question tho, Since i have 2 x ina219,1 x bme280 sensors all of which use i2c, do i have to connect them to the sda, scl pins of the arduino(Arduino Mega which i'll be using has 2 sda and 2 scl pins) or can i use the analog pins as per the diagram; For example: sda, scl from bm280 sensor go to a0, a1 and the 2 ina219 sensors get their scl and sda connected to a2-a5?.
All I2C sensors must be connected to the same SCL/SDA pins of the Mega (pin 20,21).
Each I2C device must have a unique address, and be 5volt-logic compliant.
The Mega uses that address to talk to one device at the time.
Leo..
You should have bought a BME280 board with level shifter. Did you? (weblink)
Otherwise you have to add an I2C level shifter board,
or buy a proper BME280 board with 5>3.3volt regulator and level shifter.
Leo..
I see that you have connected the ESP-01 to the USB<>Serial pins (0,1), which is wrong.
Use one of the three hardware serial ports of the Mega, (and a Serial level shifter).
Adding an ESP-01 to a Mega is a kludge.
Maybe better to switch to a 3.3volt-logic ESP32 board (with a steeper learning curve).
Leo..
I have decided to use esp32(i could use one with 8 PWM and 4 ADC pins available at the same time).
Anyway, with the perma-proto board that @jremington recommended, i wanna power up my project from the solar panel which is about 12V 30W by charging 4s-2p configuration of 18650 Li-Ion batteries to get enough voltage and amps for the system.
I wanna create 5V and 3.3V separate rails for the sensors and usb port, with my the battery output of about 12V. Which modules should i use?
It is not clear what you want to do.
With an ESP32 (3.3volt logic) all sensors must have 3.3volt logic.
Make/post another diagram, and post links to the exact parts.
Charging LiPo could be dangerous.
Which balance charger are you going to use with your LiPo cells.
Better get some experience with an ESP32 before starting on a project like this.
Leo..
I only have 2 types of sensors: 2 x Ina219 and 1 x BME280. All of those can work just fine on 3.3V.
But the thing is, I also have 2 servo motors(MG90S) and usb port; which of course need 5V.
Now, since my project is literally about sun tracking system, it'd kinda counter-intuitive if i wanted to power it from the wall. So, i want the solar panel to power the whole system and then use buck converter to step down the output voltage to 5V and 3.3V for the different components of the system. I hope i made it clear.
Honestly, that part is still open for recommendation but i was considering 12V 3A(since ina219 can't measure more amps) and XL4015 DC to DC Buck Converter to stabilize the output and then any 3s BMS(11 - 12V & ~9Ah) for charging. After that 2 more XL4015 DC to DC Buck, one for 5V and the other for 3.3V.
I chose XL4015 buck converter because it has customizable voltage and amps output.
Let me know where i may be starting a fire. Thanks, buddy.
