Brain Cortex Part 3 - Solar Panel

This solar panel will keep the cortex brain alive

BRAIN CORTEX SOLAR PANEL

Polycrystalline panel back side

This post represents more updates to our Brain Cortex in a jar project. The rabbit jar, as discussed in the previous post, has slightly squared off sides and this is a perfect form factor for the internal solar panel that will be statically mounted inside along the jar.

Walk in electronics store - Taiwan

POSITIONING
In this way, the jar can be positioned sideways stationary to gather in light relative to the incoming light angle of the source to create the Propellers power, without the problems of a round jar rolling around or deflecting the incoming light at various circular induced angles.

Homes Kit Solar Panel (Taiwan)

FUNCTION
The panel is fully functional with room ambient light, artificial lighting, and direct solar light. During the day when located in a room, the cells act as a trickle charger for the two 1.5-volt rechargeable AA batteries at approximately 1.3 volts. With more direct lighting, the Propeller chip is sustainable at its full requirement of 3.1 volts without battery deficit depletion.

Solar Panel SM-8656, 3V @ 120 MA

NO BATTERY NEEDED
Under certain lighting conditions where the voltage output is around 3 volts, the solar panel can power the Cortex without battery power.

DAY NIGHT MODE
We are working on a circuit that will automatically switch the Cortex from day to night mode. In day mode, the solar panel provides power and recharge ability, and in night mode the Cortex switches over to battery power.

SOLAR PANEL SPECS
The Solar Panel is purchased from the main electronics parts store. The Homes polycrystalline solar module is rated for operations at 3v @ 120 mA, part number SM-8656,  88 (L) X 58 (W) X 5 (H) mm, weight 35.85 grams. Homes provides a choice of 30 different solar panels and solar modules. Most of these are in stock at the electronics parts store mounted near the ceiling.

EXPERIMENT
In a typical experiment, the panel put out 1.3 volts in ambient room light and up to 3.4 volts directly under a high intensity lamp.

COST & POWER
The NT$299 (US$10.17) priced Solar Panel has a rating of (P=EI) 25 ohms, 0.36 watt as calculated based on its specification rating. 

ONLINE POWER CALCULATOR
Here is an online calculator for calculating power and other values. http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-ohm.htm.

MANUFACTURER
The manufactures web site is at http://www.100y.com.tw/htm1/542901234.htm. As mounted and protected in the jar, the estimated expected life of the solar panel is from 20 to 40 years.

Brain Cortex Part 2 - the Jar

BRAIN CORTEX PART 2 - THE JAR
PART 1 Work continues on the Brain in a Jar series of projects, this time with a single Parallax Propeller chip and larger one liter jars. Parts were purchased from the electronics stores and jars came from the grocery store pet section for rabbits (seriously), Costco (peanut butter section) and the dollar store (although ironically everything cost more than a dollar).

Did we buy rabbit food to get this jar??!!

LEFT: Jar dilemma, what to do with the rabbit food?

Non-glass jars are relatively inexpensive, more safe from breakage, cost no more than US$3, and are made of durable transparent polymer.

The cortex can communicate to the outside world through the transparent home jar with a choice of light sensors, protruded wiring, or transmitters. The battery pack is also rechargeable through the transparent jar with solar cells.

We ate peanut butter to get the peanut butter jar but we doubt we're going to eat the rabbit food in the rabbit food jar. Anyone have a rabbit?

Brain Cortex Index Part 16