ITP Portable Solar Kits Page

Here you'll find instructions on how to use the Portable Solar Kits, along with details about their individual components.

If your project is drawing more power then the charge controller is willing to provide (more then 5A), the load light will start blinking, and power will be cut to your project immediately.

The light under "BAT" indicates the battery's level of charge. If this light is green, the battery is fully charged and ready to go. If the light is yellow (indicating a partially depleted battery), the system will still provide power, but is in need of charging. If the LED is red, the battery is below the charge controller's cut off of 11.08 V, and will need to be charged for some time before the controller will allow you to access it's power.

"work mode" 16, the only state that allows the user to access power from the controller while it simultaneously charges the battery. If, for some reason, the controller is not in mode 16, simply press and hold the power button for five seconds, until the numeric display begins to blink, and then tap the button to cycle back to 16 (for more information on the charge controller's multiple operation modes, please take a look at it's users manual . )

Locate the EPRC-ST Solar Charge Controller, attached to the silver 12.8V 20 aH LiPo battery in the center of the pelican case. The charge controller is the heart of the system, protecting the battery from over charging, over use, short circuits, and inadvertent power loss when not in use. Take a look at the three LED indicator lights, labeled "SUN", "BAT", and "LOAD" on the left side of the charge controller.

When powering down the kit, simply follow the above instructions in reverse, taking care to turn off the charge controller, unplug the solar panel. Please return the kit with it's battery fully charged. Thanks!

Locate the EPRC-ST Solar Charge Controller, attached to the large, silver, 12.8V 20 aH LiPo battery in the center of the pelican case. The charge controller is the heart of the system, protecting the battery from over charging, over use, short circuits, and inadvertent power loss when not in use. Take a look at the three LED indicator lights, labeled "SUN", "BAT", and "LOAD" on the left side of the charge controller.

"work mode" 16, the only state that allows the user to access power from the controller while it simultaneously charges the battery. If, for some reason, the controller is not in mode 16, simply press and hold the power button for five seconds, until the numeric display begins to blink, and then tap the button to cycle back to 16 (for more information on the charge controllers multiple modes, please take a look at it's users manual . )

For more information on the kit's panel, please take a look at CTSolar's write up.

"work mode" 16, the only state that allows the user to access power from the controller while it simultaneously charges the battery. If, for some reason, the controller is not in mode 16, simply press and hold the power button for five seconds, until the numeric display begins to blink, and then tap the button to cycle back to 16 (for more information on the charge controllers multiple modes, please take a look at it's user manual . .

For more information on the kits panel, please take a look at CTSolar's write up.

For more information on the kits panel, please take a look at [http://www.ctsolar.com/322wbluenylonfoldingsolarpanelourmostpopularpanel.aspx | CTSolar's write up.]]

When returning the kit, simply follow these directions in reverse. Make sure that the charge controller has been turned off (the load light should be off), that the panel has been disconnected from the controller, and that the various cables and cords are put away neatly. Please make a conscious effort to fully charge the battery before returning the kit.

ITP Portable Solar Kit, ready for transport

Step 6:

If you've decided that you want to play with one of the ITP Portable Solar kits, send Chris Cerrito an email at cdc214@nyu.edu to check on availability and to schedule a time for pick up. Consider where you will be using the kit...Areas with plenty of direct sunlight will always be best for charging.

If your project is drawing more power then the charge controller is willing to provide (more then 5A), the load light will start blinking slowly, and power will be cut to your project immediately.

"work mode" 16, the only state that allows the user to access power from the controller while it simultaneously charges the battery. If, for some reason, the controller is not in mode 16, simply press and hold the power button for five seconds, until the numeric display begins to blink, and then tap the button to cycle back to 16 (for more information on the charge controllers other modes, follow the link to it's manual at the bottom of the page).

The load light should immediately turn red, indicating that the controller is ready to provide power. After connecting your project to the kit, this light should remain steadily on, meaning that you're good to go.

 If your project is drawing more power then the charge controller is willing to provide (more then 5A), the load light will start blinking slowly, and power will be cut to your project immediately. 

The load light should immediately turn red, indicating that the controller is ready to provide power. After connecting your project to the kit, this light should remain steadily on. If your project is drawing more power then the charge controller is willing to provide, the load light will

Press the small power button beneath the small window on the right side of the controller, readying the system for use. The controller should be preset for "work mode" 16, the only state that allows the user to access power from the controller while it is simultaneously charging the battery. If, for some reason, the controller is not in mode 16, simply press and hold the power button for five seconds, until the numeric display begins to blink, and then tap the button to cycle back to 16 (for more information on the charge controllers other modes, follow the link to it's manual at the bottom of the page).

The load light should immediately turn red, indicating that the controller is ready to provide power. Plug your project into the

Step 5:

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The Charge Controller Ready to Go

Step 3:

Unfold the kit's 32 W solar panel. In full sunlight, this panel will produce an open circuit voltage of 18-20 V DC at 2-2.3 amps. Try to position the panel so that it's longest edge is parallel to the suns path during the course of the day, ensuring that it will receive the most light possible.

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The light under "BAT" indicates the battery's level of charge. If this light is green, the battery is fully charged and ready to go. If the light is yellow (indicating a partially depleted battery), the system will still provide power, but is in need of charging. If the LED is red, the battery is below the charge controllers cut off of 11.08 V, and will need to be charged for some time before the controller will allow you to access it's power.

The light under "BAT" indicates the battery's level of charge. If this light is green, the battery is fully charged and ready to go. If the light is yellow (indicating a partially depleted battery), the system will still provide power, but is in need of charging. If the LED is red, the battery is below the charge controllers cut off of 11.08 V, and the battery will need to be charge for some time before the controller will allow you to access it's power.

Unfold the kit's 32 W solar panel. In full sunlight, this panel will produce an open circuit voltage of 18-20 V DC at 2-2.3 amps. Try to position the panel so that it's longest edge is parallel to the suns path during the course of the day, ensuring that it will receive the most light possible.

Locate the EPRC-ST Solar Charge Controller, attached to the large, silver, 12.8V 20 aH LiPo battery in the center of the pelican case. The charge controller is the heart of the system, protecting the battery from over charging, over use, short circuits, and inadvertent power loss when not in use. Take a look at the three LED indicator lights, labeled "SUN", "BAT", and "LOAD" on the left side of the charge controller.

If the panel the properly connected and positioned, the "SUN" light should immediately turn green. If the battery has been completely charged prior to use, this light may blink, indicating that the panel has been disconnected from the battery to prevent over charging.

The light under "BAT" indicates the battery's level of charge. If this light is green, the battery is fully charged and ready to go. If the light is yellow (indicating a partially depleted battery), the system will still provide power, but is in need of charging. If the LED is red, the battery is below the charge controllers cut off of 11.08 V, and the battery will need to be charged before the controller will allow you to use it.

Locate the EPRC-ST Solar Charge Controller, attached to the large, silver, 12.8V 20 aH LiPo battery in the center of the pelican case. The charge controller is the heart of the system, protecting the battery from over charging, over use, short circuits, and inadvertent power loss when not in use. Take a look at the three LED indicator lights, labeled "SUN", "BAT", and "LOAD" on the left side of the charge controller. The light under "BAT" indicates the battery's level of charge. If this light is green, the battery is fully charged and ready to go. If the light is yellow (indicating a partially depleted battery), the system will still provide power, but is in need of charging. If the LED is red, the battery is below the charge controllers cut off of 11.08 V, and the battery will need to be charged before the controller will allow you to use it.

EPRC-ST Solar Charge Controller

Step 4:

Locate the EPRC-ST Solar Charge Controller, attached to the large, silver, 12.8V 20 aH LiPo battery in the center of the pelican case. The charge controller is the heart of the system, protecting the battery from over charging, over use, short circuits, and inadvertent power loss when not in use. Take a look at the three LED indicator lights, labeled "SUN", "BAT", and "LOAD" on the left side of the charge controller. The light under "BAT" indicates the battery's level of charge. If this light is green, the battery is fully charged and ready to go. If the light is yellow (indicating a partially depleted battery), the system will still provide power, but is in need of charging. If the LED is red, the battery is below the charge controllers cut off of 11.08 V, and the battery will need to be charged before the controller will allow you to use it.

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EPRC-ST Solar Charge Controller

Step 3:

Male and Female Panel and Charge Controller Plugs

Step 2:

Once you reach your desired locations, open up the pelican case, and locate the male cigarette lighter style plug coming from the charge controller, it's female counterpart attached to the solar panel, and connect the two.

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Once you reach your desired locations, open up the pelican case, and locate the male cigarette lighter style plug coming from the charge controller, it's female counterpart attached to the solar panel, and connect the two.

Here you'll find information on how to use the Portable Solar Kits, along with details about their individual components.

Step 1:

If you've decided that you want to play with one of the ITP Portable Solar kits, send Chris Cerrito an email at cdc214@nyu.edu to check on availability and to schedule a time for pick up. Consider where you will be using the kit...Areas with plenty of direct sunlight will always be best for charging.

Male and Female Panel and Charge Controller Plugs

Step 2:

Once you reach your desired locations, open up the pelican case, and locate the male cigarette lighter style plug coming from the charge controller, and it's female counterpart attached to the solar panel, and connect them.

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Here you'll find information on how to use the Portable Solar Kits, along with details about their individual components.

Here you'll find information on how to use the Portable Solar Kits, along with details about their individual components.

USB Port and Control Panel:

5V USB Port and Indicator Light

Both the USB and the power jack for the SunTransfer2 can be found hidden beneath a rubberized door on the side of the lamp. The system's battery can be recharged via it's panel, or a 9V DC power supply. A small LED, to the left of the unit's power switch, will blink red during the charging process, finally turning green when the battery is full.

Return to the ITP Solar Resources Page.

Here you'll find information on how to use the Portable Solar Kits, along with details about their individual components.

ITP PORTABLE SOLAR KITS