Hey everyone! I'm working on an automatic watering system that collects rainwater, monitors tank levels, and checks soil moisture, all controlled by an MCU. To keep it powered continuously, I want to use a solar panel to charge an external battery. Since I'm not super experienced with power supplies, I'm curious about what type of battery would make this setup easier. I've heard that pairing a lithium battery with a solar charger can be a bit tricky. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
I actually built something similar but without an MCU, just mechanical parts. A float switch from a local ag or farm store works great for managing water flow. For soil moisture, you can find mechanical controllers at hydroponics shops. Just pair it with a solar panel that can power a pump, and you’re all set!
For a system like yours, I recommend looking into MPPT solar charge controllers. They optimize the power coming from your solar panel to charge the battery efficiently. They usually come with easy-to-follow manuals too!
Thanks, I'll definitely check those out!
I do something like that for watering cattle—it works just fine!