Project
| # | Title | Team Members | TA | Documents | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | CUSTOM MPPTS FOR ILLINI SOLAR CAR |
Akhil Pothineni Alex Chmiel Alex Lymberopoulos |
Matthew Qi | design_document1.pdf design_document2.pdf final_paper1.pdf photo1.jpeg photo2.jpg photo3.jpg presentation1.pdf proposal2.pdf proposal1.pdf video |
Illini Solar Car |
| # CUSTOM MPPTS FOR ILLINI SOLAR CAR Team Members: - Alex Chmiel (achmiel4) - Alex Lymberopoulos (alexdl2) - Akhil Pothineni (akhilp3) # Problem Illini Solar Car is manufacturing their 3rd generation vehicle to race at the American Solar Challenge this coming summer. The team has recently installed their array and is looking for easy-to-use, configurable, and efficient solar MPPTs. The off-the-shelf models are very expensive and will take time to integrate into the vehicle’s architecture. Also with off-the-shelf components if a part fails, we will not have access to the schematics to replace the component. # Solution The idea is to create custom, efficient, and low cost MPPTs built for the team’s electrical system. For some background, the vehicle has the array wired in three separate sections. The goal behind the 3 sections is better resilience to shading and redundancy built into the system. We would make an easy to move enclosure with three MPPTs inside that can be mounted in the vehicle. If one of the MPPTs fails we would still have 2/3 of the solar array producing power. By making the MPPTs in house lots of problems could be solved. We could drastically reduce the cost, make it plug-and-play with our vehicle’s electrical systems, and be able to debug issues quickly. # Solution Components ## Subsystem 1: Logic Board This board will be running a perturb and observe algorithm to vary switching signals sent to an off-board power board. - LPC1549: Microcontroller used in all solar car projects. Has built in CAN controllers. Data will be sent over CAN. - Voltage Sensors: To view the voltage and vary the algorithm. Most likely use SPI communication protocol. - Current Sensors: To view the current and vary the algorithm. Most likely use SPI communication protocol. - Temperature Sensors: Monitor Temperature of the MPPTs to verify safe operating points. - Fans Control: Turn on the fan when temperatures get too hot. ## Subsystem 2: Power Board The power board will be controlled by the logic board to take in the input power and vary the output power to charge the battery. Should handle power up to ~900W. MPPTs should be able to output in the range of 77V-120V. Max charge current is ~2.75A. - Boost Converter Circuit: Will boost input voltage to charge battery safely. Takes input from logic board. # Criterion For Success - Logic Board is able to read temperature and vary fans - Logic Board is able to send information via CAN - Power Board successfully boost input voltage - If faults are induced the logic board is able to stop charging of the batteries. - Create one logic board that can control one power board to follow a perturb and observe algorithm. |
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