Solar Energy Manager A,MPPT, Type-C Power Adapter, 5V3.1A Regulated Output

Figure 1-1 Product
Figure 1-1 Product

Ⅰ Introduction

The Solar Energy Manager A is a solar power management module that supports charging 3.7V 18650 lithium batteries via both solar panels and USB interface, with a regulated 5V/3.1A output (the Type-C port supports multiple protocols including PD, QC, FCP, PE, and SFCP). This module features MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) and battery charge-discharge protection. The MPPT functionality automatically adjusts charging power based on input voltage, making solar energy usage more efficient. The charge-discharge protection circuit continuously monitors battery voltage to prevent overcharging and over-discharging, thereby safeguarding and extending battery life. With its excellent stability and efficient charge-discharge management, this module is ideal for solar power generation, low-power IoT applications, environmental monitoring, portable power banks, and other eco-friendly projects.

1.2 Product Specifications

Parameter

Value

Solar Panel Input Voltage

5-24V

USB Type-C Input/Output Voltage

5V/9V/12V

USB A or Terminal Output

5V/3.1A

Charge Cut-Off Protection Voltage

4.2V ±1%

Discharge Protection Voltage

3.0V ±1%

Solar Charging Efficiency

Approx. 77%

USB Charging Efficiency

Up to 94%

Boost Conversion Efficiency

Approx. 92%

Max Standby Current (No Charge)

<20mA

Sleep Current (Sleep Mode)

<3mA

Product Dimensions

61mm x 54mm

Weight

28g

Figure 1-2 Solar Energy Manager A Dimensions

Figure 1-2 Solar Energy Manager A Dimensions

Ⅱ Usage

2.1Resource Overview

Figure 2-1 Solar Energy Manager A Resource Overview

Figure 2-1 Solar Energy Manager A Resource Overview

  1. DC-044 Solar Charging Jack: Connects solar panels via power jack.
  2. 3.5mm Solar Charging Terminal: Connects solar panels via terminal.
  3. USB A Output: Provides up to 5V/3.1A power output.
  4. USB C Charging/Discharging Connector: The battery can be charged or discharged via a TYPE-C data cable, supporting multiple protocols such as PD/QC/FCP/PE/SFCP;
  5. 3.5mm Terminal Output: Outputs up to 5V/3.1A power.
  6. 3.5mm Battery Input Terminal: Connects to 3.7V rechargeable lithium battery.
  7. PH2.0-4P Battery Input Terminal: Connects to 3.7V rechargeable lithium battery.
  8. Output Activation Button: Activates output after low-voltage lock state.
  9. Battery Charge/Discharge Status and Voltage Pins (header not soldered).
  10. Battery voltage indicator.
  11. LED Indicators: Fast charge (FLED), IP5356M chip status (STATE), Battery reverse polarity (BAT Alarm).
  12. MPPT Voltage Setting Switch: Adjusts MPPT voltage based on solar panel input to optimize charging efficiency.The MPPT setting voltage should be less than or equal to the input voltage.
  13. Solar Charging Indicators: Reverse polarity (Solar Alarm), charging (CHRG), and full charge (DONE).

2.2Interface Description

1. Two Solar Panel Input Ports (see Figure 2-1,① and ②): One DC-044 power Jack and one KF128L-3.5-2P terminal block. Users can choose one of these to connect to the Solar Energy Manager A module based on the output interface of the solar panel. The input voltage range is 5-24V. Once the solar panel is connected, the appropriate MPPT voltage will be selected based on the solar panel's output voltage.

2. One USB Type-C Input/Output Port (see Figure 2-1,④): This port can be used to charge the battery via the USB Type-C connector or to discharge through this port. When charging the battery via USB Type-C, the module will automatically disconnect the solar panel charging. If the connected device supports fast charging protocols, the FLED will lights up.

3. Two 18650 Battery Connectors (see Figure 2-1,⑥ and ⑦): Users can select either the 3.5mm terminal block or PH2.0-4P connector to connect a 3.7V lithium battery. When connecting, ensure the correct polarity of the battery; do not reverse the positive and negative terminals. The module includes reverse polarity protection and alerts the user in case of incorrect connections. If the BAT Alarm indicator is constantly lights up after installing the battery, it indicates that the battery is connected incorrectly, and the battery should be reinstalled correctly.

4. One Activation Button (see Figure 2-1,⑧): When the battery voltage drops below 3V, the board enters a locked state to protect the battery. In the locked state, the board will not discharge normally. The discharge function can only be activated by entering charging mode (via Solar or Type-C charging) or by pressing the activation button. During the load discharge process, the greater the load current, the higher the battery voltage after the low-power lock is triggered. The smaller the load current, the lower the battery voltage after the low-power lock is triggered. This is because there is a certain internal resistance inside the battery (also called the internal resistance of the battery). When you connect a load, the battery current flows through the internal resistance, causing a certain voltage drop inside the battery. The magnitude of this voltage drop is related to the magnitude of the current, so the greater the load current, the more obvious the battery voltage drop, causing the battery terminal voltage to drop. When the load is removed, the internal voltage drop of the battery disappears, and the battery voltage returns to normal levels.

5. Battery Charge/Discharge Status and Battery Level Pins(2.54mm pitch header pads, silkscreen shown on the back of the board)

The pin definitions are listed in the table below (Table 2-1):

Pin Name

Direction

Description

DONE

Output

Full charge indication for solar charging mode, connected to the cathode of the DONE LED, with a 10K resistor pulled up to 3.3V. A low level indicates the battery is fully charged under solar charging, and a high level indicates the battery is not yet full.

CHRG

Output

Charging indication for solar charging mode, connected to the cathode of the CHRG LED, with a 10K resistor pulled up to 3.3V. A low level indicates the battery is charging under solar power, and a high level indicates no charging.

GREEN

Output

Connected to the cathode of the STATE LED (green). In single USB charging mode, the full charge state is high, and during charging and discharging simultaneously, it outputs a 50% duty cycle PWM at 1Hz frequency.

RED

Output

Connected to the cathode of the STATE LED (red). In single USB charging mode, it outputs a 50% duty cycle PWM at 1Hz frequency, and in single discharge mode, it is high.

GND

Power Ground

Power Ground

VBAT

Output

Battery voltage, ranging from 3.0V to 4.2V.

ACTIVE_P

Input

Activation pin, connected to the activation button (see Figure 2-1,⑧). A high-level pulse input will activate the board's output.

2.3Note

  • When installing the battery and connecting the solar panel, please ensure the correct polarity and avoid reversing the connections.
  • Do not directly touch the core components with your hands during operation; ensure proper static protection.
  • When supplying power to the load via the header pins, ensure the correct polarity and avoid reversing the connections.

Figure 2-2 Wiring Schematic

Figure 2-2 Wiring Schematic

2.4Related Instructions

1. "MPPT SET" DIP Switch Settings:When using the solar panel to charge the battery, ensure the "MPPT SET" DIP switch is correctly configured. Only one position of the DIP switch should be set to "ON," and all other positions should be set to "OFF." The voltage set by the "MPPT SET" DIP switch should be based on the specifications of the solar panel. The closer the open-circuit output voltage of the solar panel is to the MPPT-set voltage, the higher the charging efficiency. However, the output voltage of the solar panel must be greater than or equal to the MPPT-set voltage. The charging voltage settings are shown in the diagram below:

2. Battery Charging Power:The lower the battery charge, the higher the charging power.The higher the solar panel output power, the higher the charging power.When the solar panel output power is sufficient and the battery charge is low, the maximum charging power is approximately 9.5W.

3. Simultaneous Charging and Discharging:The board supports simultaneous charging and discharging, meaning it can charge via solar power while discharging or charge via USB while discharging.In the USB mode, simultaneous charging and discharging does not support fast charging, and both charging and discharging voltages are 5V. In this case, the maximum charging current is 2A.In solar mode, simultaneous charging and discharging supports fast charging.

4. Discharge status during charging:During charging, once the board is connected to a load, its output will remain constant. Even if the load is removed during this period, the green light of its STATE will continue to flash until the charging power source is removed.

5. Sleep Mode:In the discharge-only state, after removing the load for about 8 seconds, the board will enter the sleep state, at which time all LED lights will be off and the static current consumed by the battery will drop to about 3mA.

6. Charging Behavior with Both Solar and USB Connections: When both the Solar and USB interfaces are charging, the charging current from the Solar interface will be disconnected, the DONE light will turn on, and the CHRG light will turn off. The board will prioritize USB charging.

7. There are two battery access connectors on board (see ⑥ and ⑦ in Figure 2-1), users only need to connect the battery to one of the connectors.

8. Onboard LED Indicators: The definitions of the onboard LED indicators are shown in Table 2-2 below:

LED Indicator

Color

Description

Solar Alarm

Red

Turns on if the polarity of the solar charging power supply is reversed.

CHRG

Red

Turns on when solar charging is in progress.

DONE

Green

Turns on when the solar battery is fully charged.

FLED

Red

Turns on during fast charging.

STATE

Red/Green (Dual)

- Blinks red at 1Hz frequency when only USB charging.

- Stays red when discharging only.

- Blinks green at 1Hz frequency during simultaneous charging and discharging (including discharging in USB full charge).

- Stays green when no load is connected and the battery is fully charged.

BAT Alarm

Red

Turns on if the battery polarity is reversed.

Battery Voltage

Red

- Indicates battery voltage. The more LEDs lit from bottom to top, the higher the voltage, and vice versa.

Resource

3.1Schematic

3.2Data Sheet

IP5356M

CN3791