11. Solar Panel Support
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Solar Power Setup for Raspberry Pi and Particle Data Loggers The system uses two distinct solar configurations tailored to each device’s power requirements. For the Particle Boron data logger, a 5W 6V Voltaic solar panel (ETFE-coated, IP67-rated) paired with a V50 USB battery pack provides reliable off-grid power. This setup delivers 6.12V peak voltage and 940mA current, sufficient for low-power cellular data logging. The V50 battery ensures overnight operation, while the panel’s 50cm waterproof cable simplifies outdoor mounting.
For the Raspberry Pi 3B+ (which demands higher power), a 20W 12V solar panel charges a 12V battery via a charge controller (e.g., PWM or MPPT) to prevent overcharging. A buck converter steps down the 12V battery output to 5V/2A for the Pi, ensuring stable operation with peripherals like Grove sensors or cellular modems. This setup accounts for the Pi’s ~5.25W consumption and includes a low-voltage cutoff to protect the battery.
This video demonstrates how to build the solar panel mount for the Particle Data Logger. There is only one video in this playlist.
Solar Panel mount for Particle Data Logger
Solar Panel Mount for Raspberry Pi Data Logger