SwitchDoc Labs' SolarMAX2 Aims to Be the Ultimate Solar Power Kit for Your Raspberry Pi or Other SBC
Improved version of the original SolarMAX now comes exclusively in lead-acid flavor — and you'll still need to bring your own battery.
SwitchDoc Labs' John Shovic is back crowdfunding another creation, and this time he's looking to untether your Raspberry Pi from mains power with the SolarMAX2 — a dramatically improved upgrade on the first SolarMAX.
"Most Raspberry Pi solar power systems shown on Instructables and other forums are seriously underpowered," Shovic claims. "If you are building projects that require a significantly larger amount of power than small solar cells can provide, the SolarMAX2 is for you. Open sourcesSoftware puts you in control."
The original SolarMAX launched on Kickstarter two years ago, offering two variants: One aimed at charging lithium-polymer batteries, and the other for sealed lead-acid systems. The SolarMAX2, Shovic claims, is an upgrade on all fronts — costing less while boosting performance.
"SolarMAX2 is a brand new design with open source software that costs 1/2 as much as the last version and improves the performance dramatically of your solar power system," Shovic writes. "And you get lots of data!"
The data come courtesy of a 433MHz radio link from the controller to a host system, updating every 30 seconds and offering a readout of battery voltage and current, solar panel voltage and current, and load voltage and current, as well as the temperature and humidity as measured inside the system's housing.
The SolarMAX2 is powered by a Grove MiniProPlus microcontroller connected to a custom solar charger — but while almost all the components required are included, there are two big things missing: the battery and the solar panel.
Shovic recommends the use of 100W 18V panels for improved performance in low-light conditions, and "any 12V lead acid battery" - with no option for a lithium-polymer version this time around. Additional materials will also be needed to weatherproof the kit — including supplying and modifying your own enclosure, though this is also available as an optional add-on.
The SolarMAX2 is now available to back on Kickstarter with physical rewards starting at $105 for the base kit without panel, battery, or enclosure. The hardware is expected to ship in October this year.