Get started with Voltaic’s LiPo / LiFePO4 Solar Charger
To get started you’ll need a solar panel with an output voltage greater than that of the battery, so for Voltaic’s standard panels which run at 6V, you can charge a single-cell LiPo or LiFePO4. With our 18V panels, such as the 9W or 17W, you can charge a 1S, 2S, and 3S LiPo, or 1S, 2S, and 4S LiFePO4, or even a 12V lead acid.
After getting the panel and battery, turn the left and right knobs to the appropriate positions for the solar panel and battery.
A quick example setup is a 6 Watt Solar Panel, plus one of the 3.5x1.1 to 5.5x2.1 adapters, which connects directly into the barrel jack at the top left of the board. To match this panel, the left knob should be turned to 5.9V MPP. With a 1S 2000mAh LiPo cell from Adafruit, we turn the right knob to 4.2V for 1S LiPo. Connecting both the panel and the battery to the board and putting it out into the sun will start the charging cycle. The red LED will remain on while it charges and turns green when it is done charging.
Unlike other solar charger boards on the market, ours is compatible with multiple cells in series as well as lead-acid and LiFePO4. Another possible configuration is our 17W panel (left knob turned to 17.7V), paired with a 12V lead acid battery or a 4S LiFePO4 (knob turned to 14.4V). The maximum charge current is 2A into the battery (so a 17W, 18V panel will deliver 2A to a 1S LiIon battery for ~7.4W charging, but can deliver the same 2A into a 2S LiIon battery for ~14.8W charging).
To use the battery simultaneously, you have the option of using it directly from the cells, or through a Pololu regulator, for which we’ve included the header at the top of the board.
User Guide Download- Efficiently charge lithium ion, lithium iron phosphate or lead-acid batteries
- Selectable 1S, 2S, or 3S battery configuration
- Based on TI bq24650 chipset
- Plug and Play inputs and Outputs
Built in cooperation with Young Circuit Designs.
- Weight: 28g
- Dimensions: 77 x 64 x 19mm
- Minimum voltage in: 4.8V
- Maximum voltage in: 28V
- Maximum current: 2A into the battery
- Temperature range: -40°C to 60°C
Default MPP voltages:
- 5.9V
- 11.8V
- 17.7V
- 24V
- 4.8V USB
- Custom
Default Battery options:
- Lithium-Ion / Lithium-polymer: 1S 4.2V / 2S 8.4V / 3S 12.6V
- Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4: 1S 3.6V / 2S 7.2V / 4S 14.4 V
- 12V lead acid: Equivalent to 4S LiFePO4 14.4V
Input connections:
- MicroUSB
- 3.5mm solder pads (compatible with these screw terminals, not included)
- 5.5x2.1mm barrel jack
Output connections:
- 2mm JST
- 3.5mm solder pads (compatible with these screw terminals, not included)
- 3.5mm screw terminal (if using regulator, included)
Get started with Voltaic’s LiPo / LiFePO4 Solar Charger
To get started you’ll need a solar panel with an output voltage greater than that of the battery, so for Voltaic’s standard panels which run at 6V, you can charge a single-cell LiPo or LiFePO4. With our 18V panels, such as the 9W or 17W, you can charge a 1S, 2S, and 3S LiPo, or 1S, 2S, and 4S LiFePO4, or even a 12V lead acid.
After getting the panel and battery, turn the left and right knobs to the appropriate positions for the solar panel and battery.
A quick example setup is a 6 Watt Solar Panel, plus one of the 3.5x1.1 to 5.5x2.1 adapters, which connects directly into the barrel jack at the top left of the board. To match this panel, the left knob should be turned to 5.9V MPP. With a 1S 2000mAh LiPo cell from Adafruit, we turn the right knob to 4.2V for 1S LiPo. Connecting both the panel and the battery to the board and putting it out into the sun will start the charging cycle. The red LED will remain on while it charges and turns green when it is done charging.
Unlike other solar charger boards on the market, ours is compatible with multiple cells in series as well as lead-acid and LiFePO4. Another possible configuration is our 17W panel (left knob turned to 17.7V), paired with a 12V lead acid battery or a 4S LiFePO4 (knob turned to 14.4V). The maximum charge current is 2A into the battery (so a 17W, 18V panel will deliver 2A to a 1S LiIon battery for ~7.4W charging, but can deliver the same 2A into a 2S LiIon battery for ~14.8W charging).
To use the battery simultaneously, you have the option of using it directly from the cells, or through a Pololu regulator, for which we’ve included the header at the top of the board.
User Guide Download- Efficiently charge lithium ion, lithium iron phosphate or lead-acid batteries
- Selectable 1S, 2S, or 3S battery configuration
- Based on TI bq24650 chipset
- Plug and Play inputs and Outputs
Built in cooperation with Young Circuit Designs.
- Weight: 28g
- Dimensions: 77 x 64 x 19mm
- Minimum voltage in: 4.8V
- Maximum voltage in: 28V
- Maximum current: 2A into the battery
- Temperature range: -40°C to 60°C
Default MPP voltages:
- 5.9V
- 11.8V
- 17.7V
- 24V
- 4.8V USB
- Custom
Default Battery options:
- Lithium-Ion / Lithium-polymer: 1S 4.2V / 2S 8.4V / 3S 12.6V
- Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4: 1S 3.6V / 2S 7.2V / 4S 14.4 V
- 12V lead acid: Equivalent to 4S LiFePO4 14.4V
Input connections:
- MicroUSB
- 3.5mm solder pads (compatible with these screw terminals, not included)
- 5.5x2.1mm barrel jack
Output connections:
- 2mm JST
- 3.5mm solder pads (compatible with these screw terminals, not included)
- 3.5mm screw terminal (if using regulator, included)
1 Review
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An excellent MPPT solar battery charger for a very reasonable price
Posted by TCIIII monitor the solar panel voltage and charger current in real time and I can see this MPPT charger vary the charge current as the solar panel voltage output varies due to changing levels of sun light. Definitely works as advertised!
