New series revealing secrets of the PWM5 solar charge controller. Soon to become an open source project, I can now reveal all of the confidential information held back while the PWM5 was a commercial product. Starting with a competing product which inspired much of the PWM5's specification and feature list, I will go on to reveal information on sales, reliability, performance and what I might have done differently in hindsight.
PWM5 firmware version 1.3 is here: http://256.uk/?p=113
PWM5 firmware version 1.3 is here: http://256.uk/?p=113
Thanks Iron Man you have done well.
do u have make solar charge controller for 6v SLA battery?. what the video link adress?
the given link Is not working, what do I do?
Did you ever made a video about that CE marking and how did you get it ?
12w maplin panel i have the same one but it says 15w
Hi Julian, inspired by your videos, I am planning to sell my open source project too (active battery balancer), but, I am not sure about CE. Any advice?
Julian,
thanks for the video on your solar battery charger.
A couple questions.
What do you use your batteries for that you need to keep them on a perpetual charge?
Do you use them for lighting in your home or something?
If you will excuse a bit of pontificating, the basic reason why your venture didn't work out is that you failed to bill your time to the manufacturing effort at an appropriate rate. Had you billed your time at a rate commensurate with a highly skilled electrical engineer, you would have immediately realized your time was far too valuable to spend it cutting up strip boards, pre-forming shrink wrap tubing in an electric kettle, and so forth; and, having realized that, you would have hired on the appropriate low wage labor to perform those tasks (or simply eliminated them through outsourcing) thus freeing up your time to innovate new variations and tend to the marketing. Ah well, live and learn. Please forgive me if I sound harsh, I've been watching your vids for weeks now and thoroughly enjoy them. You have a great talent for explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms that few YouTubers can match.
Would be an awsome DIY kit that, I would buy 1 but thats me. Great video series.
Julian,
I followed the original uTube series when you went through the hardware bits and pieces but didn't have a use for the product at the time – no solar panel. I recently got a solar panel and was gutted to find out that you were out of production so the release of the firmware is a bonus. The link doesn't work anymore possibly because you have changed your site. However, I would prefer to use an arduino for a one off. Wasn't the development done on arduino and would you be prepared to release that. You may have already done so but I can't find it. Many thanks Alan
Great …
Would silicone help with water proofing vs hot glue?
A clear winner over the commercial one, but as you said, the production costs are too large as the Asian counterpart.
Hi Julian, Where can I get one of your PWM5 charge controller?
Sorry for asking, but when will put open source your project so everyone can review your design up close?
Bravo…! The blocking diode is Key. Love this simple design Julian. Cheers