Sunny Buddy versus the Photon Battery Shield

Components & Accessories Power
1

Is there an appreciable difference between how the Sunny Buddy and the Photon Battery Shield will handle a solar panel? I would like to replace my Sunny Buddy implementation with the Photon Battery shield to reduce the footprint for my little solar weather station and allow me to switch to the Photon. The Argon uses a LOT of power when asleep, and is killing my battery very quickly. In a sleep on battery situation, the Photon will use a lot less juice (plus putting transistors in front of the sensors). Hence the switch, and the battery shield will be perfect if I can use it directly connected to a panel and sealed up. This is implied in the howto page, but no details are given.

Is it possible to just hook the battery shield to the 6 watt panel and leave it for all time and eternity? Maybe a bit less time than that, but it’s easier since this little unit is somewhat out of the way.

2

The Sunny Buddy and Photon Battery Shield are very different animals that work in different way.

That being said, as long as your solar panel outputs less than 5.5 volts maximum, you can connect it directly to the barrel jack (after one is soldered on) on the Battery Shield.

If your solar panel outputs MORE than 5.5 volts max, you’re going to need a voltage regulator or a DC to DC converter between the shield and the solar cell to prevent damage to the Battery Shield.

3

Thank you, I kinda figured. That helps me out.

** Edit **

Will this charge a LiPo to maxium capacity? I saw your reply to my other topic, so I’m wondering if this has the same problem.

4

Yes, the Photon Battery Shield has a dedicated lithium ion battery charger chip on it and that is set internally to charge batteries to a full 4.2 volts. :slight_smile: