Solar Power Manager Module (D), Supports 6V~24V Solar Panel and Type-C Power Adapter, 5V/3A Regulated Output (WS-26363)

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This is a placeholder topic for “Solar Power Manager Module (D), Supports 6V~24V Solar Panel and Type-C Power Adapter, 5V/3A Regulated Output” comments.

Solar Power Manager Module (D), Supports 6V~24V Solar Panel and Type-C Power Adapter, 5V/3A Regulated Output, Optional For Battery Holder (Batteries Are…

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Approx how long would I expect to charge 3x 18650 from cutoff to fully charged, with a 6v 10w panel on a typical sunny day using this solar power manager?
What is the difference between a Type D and a type C

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Hi @Robert281517

Assuming the panel is running at max capacity with no loses across the manager board you would be looking at ~4.5 - 5 hours to charge 3 18650s with a capacity of 2600mAh.

The C variant of this board is not one that we currently stock, the biggest difference between it and the D variant is that it is closer to a portable phone charger with USB outputs, and can only accept power via a barrel jack.

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FYI … Waveshare have a rel 2.0 version of this board, which has updated a few of the chips and added a button which is described as

Function button
Single press: Automatically activate the output when a load is connected 
Double press: Enters low-current mode, supporting ultra-low power loads

I have just swapped to this board, and found that this SPM board appears to turn off when my ESP32-S3 went into deep-sleep (ie it didn’t wake up as it should have). A single press of the Function button restarted the ESP32 … but a double press allows the ESP32 to wake from deep_sleep as i intended.

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Will the Waveshare SPM work correctly without a battery connected ?

  • I have a 5V solar panel connected to the Waveshare SPM
  • 5V Out of Waveshare SPM is connected to the 5V IN of an Unexpected Maker FeatherS3
  • LiPo battery is connected to the UM FeatherS3 to utilise the FeatherS3’s LiPo charger and battery meter.

I have previously noted that, while the Solar Panel outputs about 5V during daylight hours, the solar panel only supplies a small current - up to 300mA in direct sunlight. My guess is that UM FeatherS3’s 5V_in is expecting a constant current - ie a USB power adaptor; and that the SPM requires a battery to provide a steady current … so does that mean that I need 2 LiPo batteries ?

OK, in the real world…

  • with Solar Panel and LiPo battery connected to Waveshare SPM, a steady 5V is output on the SPMs 5V out. The UM is powered, and if a battery is also connected to the UM it is charged.
  • with Solar Panel and NO battery connected to Waveshare SPM, the SPM’s Battery Capacity and Solar Panel Charging Indicators flash. When the SPMs 5V-out is connected to the UM’s 5V-in, the UMs 5V Power LED blinks even more rapidly. If battery is also connected to the UM the UMs Battery Charge LED also blinks rapidly.
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Hi Donald
While not knowing anything about this specific device there awesome things that apply to anything.
Firstly for calculations any comparisons convert to Watts

That is 1.5W.
It might be possible that 1.5W is all the load required at the measurement time. If so it will not provide any more. Even if capable of more it will not provide any more than what is needed.

The SPM cannot provide any more power than what is input to it minus conversion losses. In this case if 1.5W is indeed the maximum solar input if you allow for conversion efficiency which could be as bad as 85% you could end up with as low as 1.275W at the SPM output.

Whether this is enough to restart your Feather device depends on that device requirements.

I think you looked into this sort of thing previously have you not?? I thought you had a system sorted.
Cheers Bob

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Sorry Robert, you caught me while I was editing my post to make it more meaningful.

I had … and even put it into operation in the greenhouse
… then I decided to add a watering function
… and swapped from a Latching Relay + Solenoid to a latching Solenoid + motor driver (to give +ve and -ve pulses on the same pin)
… and swapped the DFRobot SPM for the Waveshare SPM
… and lastly swapped the ESP32-S3-Devkit-S for an Unexpected Maker Feather S3.

Seems that the more i learn and understand … there is always more to pull my hair out over :wink:

I was more concerned about the 5V-in power flashing on and off at high speed - didn’t think it would be helpful

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Hi Donald

Sounds like it would indicate the input voltage dropping or being pulled down in a cyclic manner. Could be worth looking at with an oscilloscope. I think you have one do you not?
Cheers Bob

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Hey there, @Donald23173.

Based on the fact that the Waveshare Solar Power Manager (D) expects 6–24 V on its solar input, and relies on its battery to buffer the variable panel output. A nominal 5 V panel is below that range, and without a battery the 5 V output can become unstable. The flashing LEDs you’re seeing are consistent with that, rather than something I’d feed into the FeatherS3 continuously.

If you want to retain the 5 V panel, you will need to use something like DFRobot Sunflower Solar Power Manager 5V which is designed for a 4.5–6 V solar input. Otherwise, use a panel whose loaded operating voltage remains above 6 V with the Waveshare board. An oscilloscope across the manager’s solar input and 5 V output should confirm the start–collapse–restart cycle.