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  3. 💬 Solar Energy Harvester

💬 Solar Energy Harvester

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved OpenHardware.io
ltc3105solarmppcmpptchargerenergy harvestingboost converterboosterstep-upconverterboostboostingcharging
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  • NeverDieN Offline
    NeverDieN Offline
    NeverDie
    Hero Member
    wrote on last edited by NeverDie
    #2

    @scalz
    How do you like the routing this time? This time I gave it a large ground plane. I also positionied all the discrete components as close as I could to the LTC3105. With those goals in mind, it took me a lot of mental Tetris to create the layout. :wink: Nonetheless, I want it to be done properly, so if you (or anybody) spot any flaws, please do point them out.

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    1
    • scalzS Offline
      scalzS Offline
      scalz
      Hardware Contributor
      wrote on last edited by scalz
      #3

      @NeverDie
      cool :)
      sorry missing time, but looks good.
      what you can improve a bit is for instance, giving more copper for in, switching, out.
      i don't know which cad tool you're using. in Eagle that would be using Polygon tool and then name your polygon to your schematic net name etc.. add a bit of isolation around your plane, it's a polygon setting,because no isolation between plane/plane or plane/route could give short during fab.

      NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • scalzS scalz

        @NeverDie
        cool :)
        sorry missing time, but looks good.
        what you can improve a bit is for instance, giving more copper for in, switching, out.
        i don't know which cad tool you're using. in Eagle that would be using Polygon tool and then name your polygon to your schematic net name etc.. add a bit of isolation around your plane, it's a polygon setting,because no isolation between plane/plane or plane/route could give short during fab.

        NeverDieN Offline
        NeverDieN Offline
        NeverDie
        Hero Member
        wrote on last edited by
        #4

        @scalz
        I'm using Diptrace. I'm not sure what you mean by "plane/plane" or "plane/route" isolation. However, I'm using the Diptrace settings recommended by OshPark, which is also who I'm using to fab. Their recommended settings are:
        alt text

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        • scalzS Offline
          scalzS Offline
          scalz
          Hardware Contributor
          wrote on last edited by scalz
          #5

          i was meaning drawing pours :)

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          • NeverDieN Offline
            NeverDieN Offline
            NeverDie
            Hero Member
            wrote on last edited by NeverDie
            #6

            OK, I increased the trace width on the GND, Vin, and Vout traces. Also I doubled the clearance on the copper pour. The result is Version 002, which is now posted.

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            • NeverDieN Offline
              NeverDieN Offline
              NeverDie
              Hero Member
              wrote on last edited by NeverDie
              #7

              I just now improved the project description and added the BOM.

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              • NeverDieN Offline
                NeverDieN Offline
                NeverDie
                Hero Member
                wrote on last edited by
                #8

                I just now posted Version 3:

                1. I labeled each part with its component value so as to make assembly easier, and
                2. I cleaned up both the top and bottom silk screens.
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                1
                • NeverDieN Offline
                  NeverDieN Offline
                  NeverDie
                  Hero Member
                  wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                  #9

                  I just now posted Version 4.

                  Changes from Version 3:

                  1. removed unnecessary header pins,
                  2. added more GND header pins to facilitate easier hookups, and
                  3. made the board more compact in size.
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                  • NeverDieN Offline
                    NeverDieN Offline
                    NeverDie
                    Hero Member
                    wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                    #10

                    I just now posted Version 5.

                    Changes from version 4:

                    1. Uses same inductor as my other Linear Technology based boost converter projects.
                    2. Enlarged PCB board to accomodate the larger design footprint.
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                    • NeverDieN Offline
                      NeverDieN Offline
                      NeverDie
                      Hero Member
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #11

                      I just now posted Version 6.

                      Changes from Version 5: removed or re-arranged silk screen to mitigate potential for solder bridging.

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                      0
                      • NeverDieN Offline
                        NeverDieN Offline
                        NeverDie
                        Hero Member
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #12

                        Update: the land pattern contained an error that I didn't notice until I tried to solder the chip onto the PCB. I've now fixed the problem and have now sent revised files to the fab. As with the other projects, I'll wait for the board to arrive and test that it works before I deem it no longer a work in progress.

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                        • NeverDieN Offline
                          NeverDieN Offline
                          NeverDie
                          Hero Member
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #13

                          I've received the board and assembled it (see photo). It appears to work in accordance with the datasheet. Therefore, this project is finished.

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                          1
                          • ? Offline
                            ? Offline
                            A Former User
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #14

                            Is a schematic available?

                            NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • ? A Former User

                              Is a schematic available?

                              NeverDieN Offline
                              NeverDieN Offline
                              NeverDie
                              Hero Member
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #15

                              @celem said in 💬 Solar Energy Harvester:

                              Is a schematic available?

                              Yes. If you look in the photos section, it's there. It's the same as what's in the datasheet as a "typical application."

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                              0
                              • akumarA Offline
                                akumarA Offline
                                akumar
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #16

                                Hi. Do you think this will be enough for indoor usage to power a simple temperature sensor ?
                                What type of battery did you use this module with ?

                                NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • akumarA akumar

                                  Hi. Do you think this will be enough for indoor usage to power a simple temperature sensor ?
                                  What type of battery did you use this module with ?

                                  NeverDieN Offline
                                  NeverDieN Offline
                                  NeverDie
                                  Hero Member
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #17

                                  @akumar
                                  Of course.

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                                  0
                                  • M Offline
                                    M Offline
                                    Mar
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #18

                                    First time SM assembly. Photos do not show connections to 3 tiny holes that must go to ground. Is this done with small wires to side holes on either side or ...?

                                    skywatchS 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • M Mar

                                      First time SM assembly. Photos do not show connections to 3 tiny holes that must go to ground. Is this done with small wires to side holes on either side or ...?

                                      skywatchS Offline
                                      skywatchS Offline
                                      skywatch
                                      wrote on last edited by skywatch
                                      #19

                                      @mar The three tiny holes may not go to ground. They are probably 'vias' that take a trace from one side of the board to the other.

                                      Vias are through plated at manufacture and shouldn't need anything from you.

                                      But I don't know this particular board and so things might be different here. Use a multimeter to check the circuit diagram against the board.

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                                      • M Offline
                                        M Offline
                                        Mar
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #20

                                        Right you are. Live and learn (even at 81), and I even learned a new word -'vias.' Thanks.

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