This is a simple NiCd battery charger powered by solar cells. A solar cell panel or an array of solar cells can charge a battery at more than 80 % efficiency provided the available voltage exceeds the ‘fully charged’ battery voltage by the drop across one diode, which is simply inserted between the solar cell array and the battery. Adding a step-down regulator enables a solar cell array to charge battery packs with various terminal voltages at optimum rates and with efficiencies approaching those of the regulator itself.
However, the IC must then operate in an unorthodox fashion (a.k.a. ‘Elektor mode’) regulating the flow of charge current in such a way that the solar array output voltage remains near the level required for peak power transfer. Here, the MAX639 regulates its input voltage instead of its output voltage as is more customary (but less interesting).
Circuit diagram:
The input voltage is supplied by twelve amorphous solar cells with a minimum surface area of 100 cm2. Returning to the circuit, potential divider R2/R3 disables the internal regulating loop by holding the V-FB (voltage feedback) terminal low, while divider R1/R2+R3 enables LBI (low battery input) to sense a decrease in the solar array output voltage. The resulting deviation from the solar cells’ peak output power causes LBO (low battery output) to pull SHDN (shutdown) low and consequently disable the chip. LBI then senses a rising input voltage, LBO goes high and the pulsating control maintains maximum power transfer to the NiCd cells.
Current limiting inside the MAX639 creates a ‘ceiling’ of 200 mA for I out. Up to five NiCd cells may be connected in series to the charger output. When ‘on’ the regulator chip passes current from pin 6 to pin 5 through an internal switch representing a resistance of less than 1 ohm. Benefiting from the regulator’s low quiescent current (10 microamps typical) and high efficiency (85 %), the circuit can deliver four times more power than the single-diode configuration usually found in simple solar chargers. Coil L1 is a 100-µH suppressor choke rated for 600mA.
However, the IC must then operate in an unorthodox fashion (a.k.a. ‘Elektor mode’) regulating the flow of charge current in such a way that the solar array output voltage remains near the level required for peak power transfer. Here, the MAX639 regulates its input voltage instead of its output voltage as is more customary (but less interesting).
Circuit diagram:
Solar-Powered High Efficiency Charger Circuit Diagram
The input voltage is supplied by twelve amorphous solar cells with a minimum surface area of 100 cm2. Returning to the circuit, potential divider R2/R3 disables the internal regulating loop by holding the V-FB (voltage feedback) terminal low, while divider R1/R2+R3 enables LBI (low battery input) to sense a decrease in the solar array output voltage. The resulting deviation from the solar cells’ peak output power causes LBO (low battery output) to pull SHDN (shutdown) low and consequently disable the chip. LBI then senses a rising input voltage, LBO goes high and the pulsating control maintains maximum power transfer to the NiCd cells.
Current limiting inside the MAX639 creates a ‘ceiling’ of 200 mA for I out. Up to five NiCd cells may be connected in series to the charger output. When ‘on’ the regulator chip passes current from pin 6 to pin 5 through an internal switch representing a resistance of less than 1 ohm. Benefiting from the regulator’s low quiescent current (10 microamps typical) and high efficiency (85 %), the circuit can deliver four times more power than the single-diode configuration usually found in simple solar chargers. Coil L1 is a 100-µH suppressor choke rated for 600mA.
Author: D. Prabakaran - Copyright: Elektor July-August 2004
A lower charging current just brings about a correspondingly longer charge time. IMHO 100mA is quite low, low enough that the circuit can be used for an overnight charger for many typical single-cell li-ion batteries. The resistors are deliberately kept at large orders of magnitude (tens/hundred Kohm and Mohm range) to keep the off-state current as low as possible, at about 2?A. Resistor tolerances should be kept at 1% for output voltage accuracy. The 50k pot allows for an output voltage range between 4.08V to 4.26V - thus allowing calibration as well as a choice between a charging voltage of 4.1V or 4.2V depending on the cell to be charged. The capacitors are for stability, especially C2 which prevents the output from ringing/oscillating.
This circuit could have used a standard three pin regulator IC such as the LM317, however most types require an external transistor when handling so much current and not to mention the fact that they are very inefficient; they draw the same amount of current from the input as the load and the difference in power is dissipated as heat. The main problem with using the LM2576 is the fact it needs quite a large inductor due to its somewhat low switching frequency. The inductor I used is made by Pulse Engineering, part number PE92108KNL. I’d prefer a smaller one, however I couldn’t find one capable of supplying the required current that I could purchase in single units. Besides the PE92108KNL is apparently designed specifically to work with the LM257x series.
The circuit also includes a low voltage cut-out based on a 9.1v Zener diode and BC337 transistor that will shut down the regulator if the input voltage is below 11.5V. This prevents unstable operation of the regulator at lower input voltages, and also helps prevent accidental flattening of the supply battery. Substituting this transistor for similar type may affect the cut-out voltage; the Vbe of the transistor should be 1.2v.All of the components used should be pretty readily available in most areas. I got everything from Farnell. Jaycar also sells everything except the inductor. Make sure you specify high temperature, low ESR capacitors as these help result in more stable operation and better efficiency of the charger.
Unfortunately the end result is a charger that is slightly bulkier than I would really like. I attempted to fit this inside an old mobile phone charger case so the whole thing could hang out of the cigarette lighter, however I ran into trouble making the circuit stable enough and dissipating all the heat. Due to the high current involved compared to a mobile phone charger the components are much bulkier so it’s pretty tricky to get all to fit! If I do get it finished I’ll add an update.
Install the components on the PCB and triple check the layout before soldering. It is much easier to start with the low profile components such as resistors and diodes, then install the larger components after-wards. Don’t forget the wire link; this is shows as a red line on the layout guide above. Remember to smear a small amount of heatsink compound on the regulator tab before mounting the heatsink.
For a case I used a small plastic enclosure from DSE, part H2840, as it was all the local store had in stock that was remotely suitable. The PCB is designed to fit into this particular case, however any small box should be suitable. If you have a dead laptop charger lying about it might be worth ripping the guts out of that and salvaging the case. If your enclosure is different you may need to modify the design to suit, so I have provided the schematic and PCB design files for download. They were created using Eagle. The Eee uses a standard 1.7mm DC power connector with a positive tip.
