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  3. πŸ’¬ Solar Energy Harvester

πŸ’¬ Solar Energy Harvester

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved OpenHardware.io
ltc3105solarmppcmpptchargerenergy harvestingboost converterboosterstep-upconverterboostboostingcharging
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  • 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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        0
        • 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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            1
            • 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.
              1 Reply Last reply
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              • 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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                    • 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 πŸ’¬ 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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                            • 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.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                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.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    1
                                    • 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.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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