[Power] Power Digest, Vol 13, Issue 3

[Nicholas]

This is just an idea at the moment and I haven't looked into it
properly so please flame away :D

My idea is a solar external battery charger, it's been perculating for
a month or so now since we've made these MPP converters..

So, the EC lives in the computer. The Maxim battery tank meter (charge
and monitoring chip) lives in the battery. If I was to bodge up a pair
of terminals to the battery (later getting it made in wood/plastic or
better yet 3d printed (oooh)) would it be possible/feasible.

I understand Richard (others?) have spent an inordinate amount of time
working on working MPPT with the OLPC and this is not meant to in any
way try and go around that but it will I suppose.

My idea is small MPP (manual tracking) made cheaply (we make them with
pre-built LM2596 regs + one other IC and about 8 components) on a 5w
panel going straight into the battery terminals at a regulated 8.2v
plus any voltage drop any components/diodes. I don't know how much
this might net in terms of amps but guess-timating 4-500mA from a 5w
panel in full sunlight.

I don't have a lot of time to spend on this currently so it will only
probably be proof-of-concept if it is a sound one.

All the best.
Nicholas