Article

Solar Thermal Energy Regulator

maximum power point tracking explored

The aim of this project is to carry out regulation for thermal solar power installations. The unit shown here is useful for regulating installations comprising several sets of solar collectors with different orientations or configurations with several hot-water storage tanks, requiring several valves and pumps to be controlled.

Downloading of this magazine article is reserved for registered users only.

Login | Register now!

Materials

100038-PCB.pdf

100038-11.zip

Gerber file

CAM/CAD data for the PCB referred to in this article is available as a Gerber file. Elektor GREEN and GOLD members can exclusively download these files for free as part of their membership. Gerber files allow a PCB to be produced on an appropriate device available locally, or through an online PCB manufacturing service.

Elektor recommends the Elektor PCB Service service from its business partner Eurocircuits or AISLER as the best services for its own prototypes and volume production.

The use of our Gerber files is provided under a modified Creative Commons license. Creative Commons offers authors, scientists, educators and other creatives the freedom to handle their copyright in a more free way without losing their ownership.

PCB

Download Gerber file: 100038-1-V12

Extra info / Update

Technical specifications:

* universal control board
* 10 outputs 230 VAC @ 1.2 A / 120 VAC @ 2.5 A
* 10 binary input/outputs (5 V),
* standard LCD display interface
* 5 pushbuttons
* digital potentiometer

Component list

Resistors
R1-R5 = 1kOhm 1% 250mW SMD0805
R6 = 1kOhm 5% 250mW
R8 = 4.7kOhm 4-element SIL resistor array
R7 = 4.7kOhm 8-element SIL resistor array
R9, R10 = 150Ohm 8-element SIL resistor array
Capacitors
C1 = 470µF 25V, radial electrolytic, 10mm diam.
C2-C5 = 100nF, 5mm lead pitch
Semiconductors
IC1,IC2 = SN74LS06N (Texas Instruments or equivalent)
IC3-IC12 = AQH3213 solid state relay (Panasonic)
IC13 = AD8400ARZ1 (Analog Devices)
IC14 = 7805
B1 = 1KAB10EPBF bridge rectifier (Vishay), 1.2A, 100Vpiv
D1 = 1N4004
Miscellaneous
F11 = fuse, 200mA 250V (400mA, 120V), slow blow, 5x20mm
F1-F10 = fuse, 1.2A 250V, (2.5 A, 120 V) slow blow, 5x20mm
K1-K11 = PCB terminal block, lead pitch 7.5mm
K12 = 4-way 2-level receptacle type MKKDSN 1,5/8-5,08 (Phoenix Contact)
K13 = 2-way 2-level receptacle type MKKDSN 1,5/2-5,08 (Phoenix Contact)
K14, K16, K19, K20 = 2-way PCB terminal block, lead pitch 5.08mm (e.g. Farnell # 3041440)
K15 = 2-way PCB terminal, lead pitch 5.08mm (0.2 in.) (e.g. Farnell # 3041517)
K17 = 50-way connector type N2550-6002-RB (3M)
LCD1 = alphanumeric, 4 lines of 20 characters (Elektor # 050176-73)
P1 = 10kOhm preset, horizontal
S1-S5 = pushbutton, SPNO
TR1 = 2x6V 3.2VA power transformer (for 230VAC, Farnell # 1131487)
11 holders for 5x20mm size fuses (e.g. Farnell # 146123)
10 IC sockets type DIL-8
2 IC sockets type DIL-14
PCB # 100038-1