SunnyiBuddy and LiPo batteries in sub-freezing weather

Components & Accessories Power
1

Hi,

Perhaps this has been discussed in the past, but can you provide some guidance about using solar controllers like SunnyBuddy with LiPo batteries in weather stations that will invariably be exposed to sub-freezing temperatures? Should LiPo batteries be charged when it’s that cold, or should they even be used when it’s that cold? I know of at least one other solar charger/controllerr that uses a temperature sensor to stop charging the LIPo battery when it’s below freezing. Obviously this isn’t much of a solution for powering weather stations with LiPo batteries in temperate climates.

2

It mostly depends on your LiPo batteries. You’ll have to read their datasheets because each manufacturer and model could be different.

I don’t believe SparkFun has tested the SunnyBuddy under those conditions. They don’t have that kind of setup, I don’t think.

3

Hi brooksdr.

The SunnyBuddy wasn’t designed to charge batteries in sub freezing conditions, you’re probably going to need a different charge controller if you need to charge batteries under those conditions.