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Main circuit almost complete

A project log for Ultra-Portable Sustainable Electric Generator

Combines 3 projects I just started: foldable 50W solar panel, campfire-based thermoelectric generator, & RasPi2 lapdock. Fits in a backpack.

dylan-bleierDylan Bleier 05/19/2015 at 04:020 Comments

see gallery for schematic, more pictures to come. circuit diagram does not show potentiometers: there are two, attached to voltage regulators.

I finished drawing out and assembling the main circuit, except for the linear voltage regulators and toggle switch that go on the 18/19V output to protect a laptop when it's charging. I also need to get regular size pots to replace the tiny ones on the boards. Then I will put it all in an enclosure with lots of hot glue and electrical tape to keep things in place. Once I get everything working well, I'll add a Boarduino or Trinket MPPT controller that will control the pots and switches to maximize efficiency.

update: I just added some photos. sorry about the potato quality - I could not find my regular camera and had to use a webcam. I'll replace them later. So far I have the main circuit assembled except for replacing the tiny on-board pots and adding the 78XX circuit(s) to ensure the laptop charger doesn't go over 19V (or 18V). The audio jacks are not ideal, as they can short out momentarily while plugging in if you don't do it straight. I have a 5W 12V compact fluorescent bulb hooked up to another audio plug; I need another female 1/4" audio connector to add to the circuit. On the breadboard is a Boarduino and a RPi GPIO T-cobbler, both from Adafruit. The RPi laptop is also coming along nicely but I'm waiting for an HDMI adapter that should arrive later this week.

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