To how charge battery via Solar

Projects Discussion and Showcase Robotics
1

Hi! Hopefully I posted this in the right forum lol

So anyways, I'll keep it short. I've been working on a mini "Satellite" model, currently has the Solar Power Manager5v from DFRobot, Wemos D1 Mini, and a 0.96" OLED display, and the 2 6V solar panels.

My issue comes, when I'm trying to charge the battery, it charges, but then.. when I want it to supply the load to Wemos D1 Mini, I constantly have to press the "BOOT" Button.

Is there a more simple way to charge a battery (3.7v Li-Po 1000Mah) from solar panels? then when the battery is fully charged, it automatically powers up my device?

Here's the the Solar Manager I currently Have.
Is states it allows load sharing which is great, but you have to press the "Boot" button to actually allow it to power up your devices. Which is massively inconvenient when your project is in a small little satellite model lol

https://www.dfrobot.com/product-1712.html

2

You're probably better off looking for a MPPT charge controller and letting the board sleep when the voltage is too low.

3

Alright, noted. I did make it so when my Wemos D1 Mini detects that the voltage drops to 2.5v, it goes into deep sleep/Turns off the display. Then wakes up briefly every 30 mins to detect when the Li-Po battery is fully charged. And when it is fully charged, is stays on, then continues its purpose.

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4

I found that LiPo's and solar does not go well together. Instead use LiFePo4's or some form of lead acid.

For a small project find a MPPT controller that does not have a display. If the MPPT controller you choose does not have a reverse current block of current to the solar cell from the battery, add one. After farting around with 6V solar cells, I found 12V, 24V and 48V solar have better product availability.

Also, have a clamp Amp meter when doing solar a clamp on amp meter is invaluable.

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6

I believe the Solar Power Manager5v that I'm using is a MPPT controller.

Here's a brief video of my little gizmo

https://imgur.com/a/hTQwu1v

7

Would this charge controller possibly be more ideal for my project?

[Adafruit Universal USB / DC / Solar Lithium Ion/Polymer charger [bq24074] : ID 4755 : $14.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits]
(Adafruit Universal USB / DC / Solar Lithium Ion/Polymer charger [bq24074] : ID 4755 : $14.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits)

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8

Those are solar power chargers and not charge controllers.

9

Yes, my bad. I meant solar power chargers. Would that potentially work tho?

10

Potentially,

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11

I'll buy it, try and see how it works. Lol

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