Power Scavenger prototype

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#arduino #coding #hardcore at the moment, tweaking and testing, need to get this in the field.

[powerscavenger]

It seems that the pros (Tesla etc) use a million 18650 cells to create there battery banks, switching chemistry will allow me to squeeze the cells into all of the little spacers, using a carrier would make it user serviceable as well, so I’m prob going to do it.

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Starting to get it wired together.

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The flow chart for the input side of the logic

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Parts are here!

I’m not very good at the whole Arduino thing so i’m just going to focus on getting the input voltage and current sensors working.

Ill read V at (green) and current at (red), if voltage is between 5-32v and current is more than say 200ma then ill hold mosfet (red) closed and print charging with the current displayed, if under 200ma then ill open the mosfet and display source depleted on the LCD.

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Once I get some epoxy on there it will be just like a brought one.

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I got tired of waiting for my parts so decided to take action.

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Lincad produces a range of chargers for its own range of LIPS batteries and, with the most recent additions to the product portfolio, the Caravel Mk2 and Power

These guys have a charge controller they call the power scavenger, so I guess that name is taken, not sure it really matters as this is probably never going to reach production, worry about tomorrows problems tomorrow.

[powerscavenger]

While I wait for the Arduino gear to turn up I am doing the homework on how to get it all working, this guys youtube video has been pretty helpful, every time I start an Arduino project I start to get excited! unfortunately I am not very good at the coding side, anyone who is please sing out.

[powerscavenger]

Another pretty cool device, follows a similar concept, I was surprised to see it will charge from 5v, has a built in hand crank as well, I guess you could add a CR AA AAA charger and it would be pretty much the same this as the Power Scavenger but then where is the fun in that?

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PortableSolarPower1

Custom Portable Solar Power Systems and Equipment

Found these guys today while researching the best battery for the power scavenger, there doing some pretty cool stuff.  

[powerscavenger]

I have brought one of these Mosfet boards to do my DC switching, $7 including shipping is pretty hard to beat, its to big for me to use on the final product but will make testing easy and will be added to the tool chest when I’m done.

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Forgot to mention that I have settled on the Tronsmart Quick Charge 2.0, it has auto sensing on the ports (1A 2A etc) and will fast charge newer devices at 9 or even 12v

If you have seen the video you will know that I have already pulled this apart in preparation for rehousing it.

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Now that I have removed the lipo charger and am doing my CV/CC from the Set up/down Regulator things are a lot simpler.

Red (mosfets) will allow me to switch off the output module if not in use or if the battery goes flat.

A current voltage sensor on the input will allow you to see if your source has any juice to harvest, will also be able to flash the LCD if the harvest source depletes beyond usable levels.

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Demonstration of charging Li-ion and cell phone from power bank, then switching to harvesting form 6-14v source, charging power bank, Li-ion and cell phone.

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So i’m having a few troubles with my charging of my Lipo, my bench top PSU is freaking out due to the limited current available.

When the #PowerScavenger is being used in the field you will be seeking to #harvest power from a wide range of voltages and currents.

Basically the 4 chargers I have tested rely on a fixed input current like a plug pack or car battery and are not designed to reduce the output current if the input current falls.

Solution: remove the charger all together, if I set my my step up/down regulator to 12.6v I should reach full charge on the Lipo, I can current limit as well but being a 5c battery there is no chance of exceeding 25amps (5ax5c=25a).

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I've had to revise my diagram a little, I realized that the output devices will happily accept 13.5v (Auto power standard) and that by regulating my scavenged source out to 13.5 it allows me to charge an 11.1v lipo to 12.6 (full charge) without any mucking about.

I have also included a Arduino, I wanted to include a micro computer eventually for monitoring etc but I realized that I would not be able to charge the main bank at the same time as using the auto/usb/multi charger. Doing it now will also allow me to easily add a small LCD screen.