Tagged Questions

1
vote
2answers
169 views

Can I connect a Solar Panel to augment my computer's power supply directly to a 12V line?

I use my computer to mine Bitcoins with a HD 7970 GHz Edition GPU. It currently draws a steady 465W. I would like to offset the draw, if possible, with a reasonably priced solar panel (~240-500W). ...
1
vote
1answer
238 views

Simple voltage build-up circuit

I'm planning on buying a Raspberry Pi and I want to power it using solar energy. Since the voltage input needed by the Raspberry Pi is 5 Volt, I need to build up the relative low voltage power input ...
3
votes
2answers
613 views

What is the simplest method to simulate a solar panel on a current/ voltage regulated PSU?

Solar panels have a typical non-linear I/V relation. The figure below shows an example of such relation. What is the simplest method to simulate this relation with some current or voltage regulated ...
1
vote
1answer
177 views

Augment battery-run device power with 100mA solar cell?

I may be running a microcontroller for an extended period of time in a portable manner under battery, but do not want its life to be reduced by a silly load such as an LCD screen (5v + backlight) ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views

Powering a 30 watt computer in the middle of the desert

I'd like to power a small, headless, linux box in the desert for 10+ hours a day. It draws the lower end of 30-40 watts. I'd like to not use a generator and go the battery + solar route. Can you tell ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views

Solar panel short circuit

In trying to measure the current output from a solar panel I've inadvertently short circuit the panel. Did I damaged the panel? How can I test if everything is ok?
2
votes
2answers
966 views

Solar power egg incubator

I'm going to Africa this summer for a veterinary mission and need an egg incubator. Considering I will not have a steady supply of power I need to find an efficient way to power an incubator ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views

Powering laptop from 12V sources without inverter

This question has two parts: 1) How inefficient is it to boost 12V to 120V and then back to 12V as in using a traditional car power inverter to power a laptop (i.e. the 12V car battery power is ...