EPISODE · May 5, 2025 · 10 MIN
The Great Search - 1 Amp +, Mid-Voltage (12V+) Ideal Diode for Solar Panels
from Adafruit Industries · host Adafruit Industries
With sunny days ahead, we're working on more solar projects. One thing that comes up often is we need is a diode to keep the PV panel current only flowing into a charging circuit. Often times folks use a Schottky diode (https://www.digikey.com/short/b5d8495f) for their low forward voltage. But as you get to an Amp or more, you're still looking at a loss of 0.5V, or 0.5W and that number only goes up with higher currents! Thus the need for an 'ideal diode': we've already got a breakout for an ideal diode but it's only 5V max (https://www.adafruit.com/product/5830). Let's look for one that can handle higher voltages and at least an Amp of current. See the part on Digikey https://www.digikey.com/short/vj2jzpj8 Visit the Adafruit shop online - http://www.adafruit.com ----------------------------------------- LIVE CHAT IS HERE! http://adafru.it/discord Subscribe to Adafruit on YouTube: http://adafru.it/subscribe New tutorials on the Adafruit Learning System: http://learn.adafruit.com/ -----------------------------------------
What this episode covers
With sunny days ahead, we're working on more solar projects. One thing that comes up often is we need is a diode to keep the PV panel current only flowing into a charging circuit. Often times folks use a Schottky diode (https://www.digikey.com/short/b5d8495f) for their low forward voltage. But as you get to an Amp or more, you're still looking at a loss of 0.5V, or 0.5W and that number only goes up with higher currents! Thus the need for an 'ideal diode': we've already got a breakout for an ideal diode but it's only 5V max (https://www.adafruit.com/product/5830). Let's look for one that can handle higher voltages and at least an Amp of current. See the part on Digikey https://www.digikey.com/short/vj2jzpj8 Visit the Adafruit shop online - http://www.adafruit.com ----------------------------------------- LIVE CHAT IS HERE! http://adafru.it/discord Subscribe to Adafruit on YouTube: http://adafru.it/subscribe New tutorials on the Adafruit Learning System: http://learn.adafruit.com/ -----------------------------------------
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The Great Search - 1 Amp +, Mid-Voltage (12V+) Ideal Diode for Solar Panels
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