Portable Solar Panel Charging Station

A Senior Project

presented to

the Faculty of the Electrical Engineering Department

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science

by

Jordan Bonner

June 2012

© 2012 Jordan Bonner

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page

Acknowledgements…..……………………………………………………………………………5

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………6

I. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………7

II. Background……………………………………………………………………………8

III. Requirements and Specifications……………………………………………………...9

IV. Design………………………………………………………………………………..10

V. Construction………………………………………………………………………….20

VI. Testing………………………………………………………………………………..24

VII. Conclusions and Recommendations…………………………………………………31

VIII. Bibliography………………………………………………………………………....32

Appendices

A. Parts List, Cost, and Time Schedule Allocation …...………………………………………..33

B. Analysis of Senior Project Design……………………………………………………….36

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 List of Figures and Tables
Figure Page

Figure 1: Block Diagram………………………………………………………………….………9

Figure 2: Schematic …...……………………………………………………………..….………10

Figure 1: 12V to 5V Buck Converter ……………………………………………………….……..11

Figure 4: Temperature Sensor…………………………………………………………….……..12

Figure 5: Voltage Sensor……………………………………………………………….………..12

Figure 6: Temperature vs. Resistance Characteristics of the NTSD1XH103FPB40

Thermistor……..…………………………………………………………………….…..….……13

Figure 7: Overvoltage Protection Circuit………………..…………………………...….….……14

Figure 8: NAND Gate……………………………………………………………………………14

Figure 9: Under Voltage Protection Circuit………………………………..…………………….17

Figure 10: 2.5V to 5V Boost Converter ..……………………………………..……..….….……18

Figure 11: MOSFET Switches Controlled by U6.1.……………..……………………...….……18

Figure 12: 2.5V to 12V Boost Converter ..………………………………………………………19

Figure 13: Prototype of Circuit ….………………………………………………………………20

Figure 14: PCB Design ….………………………………………………………………………21

Figure 15: Assembled Printed Circuit Board…………………………………………………….22

Figure 16: Finished Assembly of the Charger…………………………………………………...23

Figure 17: Testing the Completed Circuit……………………………………………………….27

Figure 18: Open circuit voltage of the Solar Cell when shaded ...………………………………29

Figure 19: Short circuit current of the solar cell when shade……………………………………29

Figure 20: Power produced from the solar cell when shaded ………………...…………………30

Figure 25: Testing the Completed Circuit……………………………………………………….21

Table 1: Schmitt Trigger Thresholds…………………………………………………………….24

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Table 2: Switching Converter Regulation……………………………………………………….25

Table 3: PCB Threshold Voltage for Schmitt Trigger…………………………………………..26

Table 4: Line and Load Regulation for Switching Regulators on the PCB…………………….27

Table 5: Voltage and Current Characteristics of the Solar Panel …..……………………...……28

Table 6: Bill of Materials ...……………………………………………………………..………33

Table 7: Bill of Materials for Analysis…………………………………………………………..36

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 Acknowledgements

Professor Samuel Agbo for providing me with my idea for senior project and providing me with
help along the way.

Professor John Pan for instructing IME 458 and helping utilize the course to construct a surface
mounted printed circuit board for my project.

Cisco Systems, Inc. for paying for the cost to fabricate my final PCB.

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 Abstract

The portable solar powered charging station uses a solar powered mat that can be folded for

portability. The device has the ability to charge small electronics during both day and night.

When sunlight is available, the charger charges two C batteries in series and at the same time it

charges any electronic device that can be connected via USB or cigarette lighter. At night the

charger will charge the same electronic devices from the onboard batteries. The charging station

must be able to interface with electronic devices using USB and a car cigarette lighter to charge

the device’s battery.

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