ARDUINO MPPT SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLER (Version-3.0) After lot testing we observed that MOSFET ( Q3 ) in ver-3.0 design is burning repeatedly.We tried to modify the existing software but not find any satisfactory result. The other problem was that MOSFET Q1 ( in V-3.0) conduct even when there is no solar input. To solve the above problems and enhance the power handling capability we are modifying both the hardware and software.This is named as Version-3.1 Charge Controller. This version is not completed yet.So wait until it is complete. Don't worry we are making a solution for those who have made the V-3.0 prototype.After little modification we will able to use the new software. You can see the updates on Hackaday.com This version have 3 options. 1. 5 Amp version : T94-26 toroid, 48 turns of AWG20 wire to give 135 uH (it takes almost 1.5m of wire) Q1, Q2 and Q3 all pairs of IRFZ44N MOSFETs (6 in all). C1 will be 3 * 220 uF low ESR capacitors in parallel, C2 will be a single 220 uF low ESR capacitor 2. 8 Amp version : 3 10 Amp version :
BLDGBLOG DIY thermoelectric device charges hiker's smartphone (Phys.org) —Whether you're in a city café hunting down a spare outlet or camping and worrying about losing outside contact, the problem is the same, a smartphone about to lose power just when you need it the most. What to do? A problem-solver who is into hiking and backpacking has an answer. He shows, step to step, how to construct a portable thermoelectric emergency generator. David Johansson, who used the project-sharing site Instructables for his step by step instructions, explained how he arrived at the idea, construction, and results. Spending several days hiking in the wild at times, he would rely on his smartphone with GPS, along with spare batteries and solar chargers. "The sun in Sweden is not very reliable," he wrote. Error loading skin: Error loading file In thinking up alternatives, he considered the idea of producing electricity from heat for USB gadgets. "I´m using a thermoelectric module, " he said, "also called Peltier element, TEC or TEG."
EcoRenovator - View Single Post - DIY ventilation heat exchanger Thanks Ryland A small air-air heat pump (like an old A/C unit) could be hooked up after the heat exchanger, increasing the amount of heat transfered, or reducing the temp difference on both sides of the AC, depending on how you look at it. In fact, there will already be a heat pump in the system we are planning, it will transfer heat from waste air to the hot water tank. I looked around and found a few pics. And here is how it works: Here is a homemade plywood construction that uses 2 cross-flow recuperators in a counter-current set-up (increasing efficiency): Here's the inside of a large area, counter-current heat exchanger: It is made of scores of thin sheets of copper or aluminum, stacked 4-5mm apart. Here is a pictures of someone's finished project: You can see the smaller diameter bypass for when you do not want to lose/gain heat.
Hacked Gadgets – DIY Tech Blog deba168 from India designed and built this Arduino Solar Charge Controller to provide electrical power in areas where the grid can’t always provide power when needed. Code and schematics are provided so you can get some inspiration from the design. ”At first the charge controller will check the solar panel voltage and compare it with battery voltage ,If it is greater then the Arduino will starts sending pulse width modulation(PWM) signals to the mosfet(Q1) in order to charge the battery .When the solar panel voltage was below the battery voltage ,this pwm signals will not send by Arduino . Then next the micro controller will check the battery voltage ,if the battery voltage was below 6.96 v volts then the battery will be charged in boost mode ,that mean the battery will be charged with maximum amperage ,this boost mode of charging will be done by sending pulse width modulation signals with 95% duty cycle .
These Satellite Images of Earth "Breathing" Are Freaking Me Out It freaks me out that tiny atoms and huge solar systems consist of things rotating around each other in a similar way. It's also weird to see time-lapse footage of human beings building things (like that super-fast hotel build in China) and realize how insectoid our activities look when sped up. And above you see the latest strange big/small connection: The planet Earth resembling a beating heart or a breathing being. A guy named John Nelson runs the UX Blog, which covers user experience, mapping and data visualization for parent software company IDV Solutions. Nelson pulled twelve rare, unobscured-by-clouds images of our planet off of NASA's Visible Earth catalog taken at different times of the year. Stitching them together into an animation, he made the visually stunning discovery you see here: As the seasons change, the ebb and flow of snow and greenery makes our little rock look like it's breathing. There's one thing, however, that we're on the same page about.
Float charging lithium ion cells Apart from making better door stops, what advantage do lead-acid batteries have over lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries? The answer is that they are easier to charge. Apply 13.8V to any nominally 12V lead-acid battery and it will take just the current needed to keep itself in tip top condition, and it will be ready to deliver its full capacity instantly. Applying a constant potential is called ‘float charging’ and lead-acid batteries are almost perfectly suited to it. While more expensive per Watt-hour, lithium-ion cells are far lighter, smaller and contain fewer toxic chemicals than most other commonly available battery types. “This is because Li-ion is mostly used for cycle applications where the main goal of the customer is to recharge as fast as possible,” says Antoine Brenier, business development manager at French battery-maker Saft. What needs to be borne in mind when connecting a Li-ion cell permanently to a power source is that they have no recombination ability. Tags:power sources
untitled The Compact Door has been designed to incorporate the advantages of both Roller Shutter and Overhead Sectional Doors and to overcome their inherent disadvantages. What makes the Compact door different from all other Industrial doors is its unique patented rail system. On opening the door panels fold upwards into a compact space above the door similar to a roller shutter. However, unlike a roller shutter the Compact Door panels are insulated and can also be fully glazed. A wicket door can be built into the door panels if required. The smooth and quiet movement of the panels uses little energy this guarantees a longer life cycle and lower maintenance costs. The Compact door is self supported from its side rail system and does not have intrusive overhead rails and balancing springs required by sectional doors. A comprehensive web based design programme is available to the Architect/Designer.
untitled Build your own mini wind turbine from printer parts Here's a fun little DIY project that can bring home the clean, quiet nature of wind energy. For all the DIY-ers and parents and teachers who want to get hands-on with renewable energy, building a micro wind turbine could be a great little project. It's not nearly big enough to power anything large, but it could certainly be put to use as a demonstration of wind energy, and might even be worth building as a mini charging station for portable electronics or small outdoor lighting accessories. I'm a big fan of small solar chargers for keeping gadgets and gizmos charged, and while I do know that it is possible to build your own DIY version of these portable power plants, I have yet to see good plans for building one that uses scavenged or repurposed materials, so I've not done that yet. A few more details on the project, as well as instructions for some other DIY electricity and science projects, can be found at ScienceTubeToday.
Stepper Motor Voltage Doubler Circuit - General Double the voltage from a stepper motor using two bridge rectifiers home > general | electric circuit | educationA stepper motor can be used in conjuction with PVC rotor blades to make a very cheap DIY wind turbine generator. Stepper motors can be bought new quite cheaply, but they can also be salvaged out of old printers, floppy disk drives, and other sources. Learn more about stepper motors and find out how to identify their wiring reading our articles stepper motor basics, and in particular Examining a Stepper Motor.On the side of most stepper motors is printed the rated voltage and the current per phase. Voltage Doubler Circuits and Wind Turbines A voltage doubler circuit does exactly that - it doubles voltage (minus some losses in the doubler circuit). Stepper Motor Voltage Doubler Circuit Making a voltage doubler for a stepper motor is very simple because stepper motors generate four-phase alternating current (AC) electricity. Smoothing Capacitors Buying Bridge Rectifiers