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Renewable Energy Discussion Group Formed — Parallax Forums

Renewable Energy Discussion Group Formed

Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
edited 2011-06-29 08:40 in General Discussion
In response to the comments on this thread..

I've created a Renewable Energy Discussion Group for those who are interested in this topic.
I'd love to see some resources created to cover topics like building your own solar panel (Parallax and otherwise) as well as powering the Propeller/BASIC STAMP, or using Propellers/BASIC STAMP to monitor/maintain such systems.

http://forums.parallax.com/group.php?groupid=17

OBC

Comments

  • william chanwilliam chan Posts: 1,326
    edited 2011-06-14 18:17
    How to access "Groups" from the main page?
    I can't find the link.
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2011-06-15 09:49
    As far as I know, there is no "Groups" link from the main page. Shame as there is some good material over there.

    You'll have to bookmark it for now.

    OBC
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2011-06-15 10:04
    You can get there this way from" Forum", but not "Home".
    groups.jpg
    549 x 268 - 64K
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-06-16 04:07
    In Physics or Chemistry, didn't they teach that energy can neither be created or destroyed? And yet, we now think we need renewable energy. I guess you mean renewable energy resources. It is all about resources and it seems anything that is a resource is being exploited and in a state of depletion.

    I suspect what you really want is sustainable resources. That might be a better focus.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2011-06-16 06:44
    Loopy,

    Einstein pointed out that energy can be converted to or from matter so yes it can be created and destroyed.

    Physics tells us that entropy is constantly increasing. So there are no such things as renewable energy resources. The universe is winding down to it's "heat death". Or so they say.
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2011-06-16 06:49
    Loopy Byteloose wrote: »
    It is all about resources and it seems anything that is a resource is being exploited and in a state of depletion.

    My company often refers to the employees as "our most valuable resource".......your comment makes it all clear now!!

    As for the group, it sounds interesting. Deriving power for control/monitoring systems from the thing they are monitoring could be a big part of this. Remote monitoring systems powered by small wind/water turbines, solar power for other remote locations....this should be fun stuff!!

    Thanks, Jeff!!

    Rick
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2011-06-16 13:29
    RDL2004 wrote: »
    You can get there this way from" Forum", but not "Home".

    Thanks RDL2004... I was hoping we had an easier way to get there than simply bookmarking the link from this thread.

    OBC
  • william chanwilliam chan Posts: 1,326
    edited 2011-06-17 02:04
    I am think of designing a Propeller based charge controller.
    Anybody wants to help?
  • icepuckicepuck Posts: 466
    edited 2011-06-17 13:38
    I just found this today, so here's what I've been working on.
    http://forums.parallax.com/entry.php?257-Solar-power
    The sun is out today so I'm running my laptop from solar power.
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,717
    edited 2011-06-18 04:21
    Is anyone interested in a possible group buy on the new LTC3105 ? And/or a matching breakout board for driving prop circuits or charging LiPo cells?

    The MSOP version of the chip is $3.86 and includes MPPT and 400mA output current capability. Wouldn't take full advantage of the Parallax 2.5 watt panel, but still very useful and much better than the 4mA LTC3108 I had powering a proto board here
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2011-06-18 08:21
    @Tubular,

    Please post that in the new group itself so that those who are already there can participate and discuss.

    Thanks
    OBC
  • yarisboyyarisboy Posts: 245
    edited 2011-06-29 08:40
    In other threads I inquired about bootstrap power supplies for IGBT drivers. I got busy and didn't check back in after the pros (may have) answered. I found an excellent reference published by Avago. Their application note, AN 5490, does a good job of explaining this circuit to us noobs. It has all the required equations for component selections. I've been able to reduce my parts count with this for applications requiring IGBT or MOSFET pairs.
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