SolarMAX Lead Acid Solar Power System and Data Gathering System for SkyWeather / Raspberry Pi / Arduino

This product has been replaced by SolarMAX2

Tutorial on Selecting a Solar Power System Here.

SolarMAX Lead Acid is a SwitchDoc Labs designed system to charge 12V Lead Acid batteries from Large 18V Solar panels in order to provide more power to small computer systems.   SolarMAX is designed to collect and return data about the solar panel system to the powered (or other) computer via a LoRa link.  SolarMAX collects and transmits the following data via 433MHz LoRa Radio every 30 seconds.  No data cable needed!  It transmits:

• Battery Voltage
• Battery Current
• Solar Panel Voltage
• Solar Panel Current
• Load Voltage
• Load Current

It also supplies the following about inside the SolarMAX box:

• Inbox Temperature
• Inbox Humidity

SolarMAX uses a 433MHz LoRa module which can transmit up to 2 kilometers or further with larger antennas and uses very little power.   You plug the included receiver into a Raspberry Pi or Arduino.

This is a perfect system for powering SkyWeather and other small computer systems.

Downloads and Documents

• SolarMAX Lead Acid Assembly, WeatherProofing and Operations Manual (Version 1.5)
• Raspberry Pi SolarMAX Drivers and Test Software
• Arduino Code for SolarMax Internal Processor 

Check your Raspberry Pi Configuration

 If operating on GUI, open up Preferences->Raspberry Pi Configuration and the Interfaces tab on the screen.   Make sure the Serial Port and Serial Console are marked Enable and Disable as shown below.  If you are using a headless unit, invoke “sudo raspi-config” from a command line and change the same values.

SolarMAX Lead Acid Specifications

What is in the SolarMax Lead Acid Kit?

• High current INA3221 with Terminals
• Solar Charger for 12V Lead Acid batteries
• USB PowerCentral
• Dual WatchDog Timer
• 16MHz Mini Pro LP
• 6 Port I2C Hub
• HDC1080 Temp Hum
• LoRa 433MHz Radio
• LoRa 433MHz Radio
• MC4 Plus Female (and Pin)
• MC4 Minus Male (and Pin)
• USB Weatherproof Plug
• Short USB Cable Type A - Type A
• 20cm Grove Cables - 7 Cables
• Grove Connector to Female Pin Headers - 1 Cable
• Single Wire Female to Female Jumper - 2 Wires

What Else is Required for building the SolarMax Lead Acid Kit?

12 V Lead Acid  battery    - We recommend >= 20000mAh - https://amzn.to/2qGCVd8   (This battery fits PERFECTLY in the Bud Enclosure below)

M2 Nylon Hex Thread Assortment - https://shop.switchdoc.com/products/140pcs-box-m2-nylon-hex-thread-assortment-kit

Solid Core Hookup Wire 22 Gauge - https://amzn.to/3202Ppa

Bud Enclosure NBB-22241 Style B - 6-25/32” x 10-23/32” x 6-25/32” - https://amzn.to/2zk8B8R

Spade Quick Connect Crimp Cold-Pressed Terminals (for 12V Battery) - https://amzn.to/2OgxqLm

Optional 

Solar Panel Crimping tools for MC4 (optional) - https://amzn.to/2U6IN9J

You can buy all the above from SwitchDoc Labs as the SolarMAX Weather Proofing Kit.

What Solar Panels Can I Use

Our recommendation:

100W 12V Solar Panel with MC4 Connectors - https://amzn.to/2rjjmYi  (VOC 21.6V Max Power 17.4V)

Tools

• Soldering Iron
• Straight blade Small Screwdriver
• Crosspoint Small Screwdriver
• Super Glue
• Silicon Caulking
• Wire cutter
• Wire stripper

Drill

Drill Bits for:

• 1” holes
• 2/3” holes