In this thread, and in the
picture from learn
USB, DC & Solar LiPoly Charger project, the MintyBoost is connected to the output of the Solar LiPoly Charger.
On a sunny day, I see 6V across the output of the Solar LiPoly Charger. Based on the LT1302 data sheet, it looks like my trusty MintyBoost might be able to handle 6V, but whatever is connected to the MintyBoost will see 6V, not 5V in full sun, correct?
My plan is to power a photon and some neopixels, and I am guessing that 6V might be at the upper limit of what they would tolerate.
By day, the photon + sensors seem to be drawing about 0.03A, and at night, they would be drawing approx 0.45A when the neopixels are on (and the danger of 6V coming out of the solar panel is significantly lower). During the day, we tend to alternate between bursts of bright sun and bursts of cloudiness, so it would be ideal to maximize charging (within limits of what the batteries can handle) when the sun is available.
I've seen suggestions to connect the minty boost in parallel with the battery instead of the output of the Solar LiPoly Charger, and I've also seen suggestions involving series diodes to drop the voltage, zener diodes to clamp the voltage, 7805's, and whatnot. I was also wondering if just putting a
verter between the output and my photon/neopixels would be a clever solution, or a bad idea. (I have a hard time telling those two apart.)
My gut tells me that either putting the MintyBoost in parallel with the battery, or putting a verter between the Solar LiPoly Charger and the photon would be the way to go, but my gut usually has just enough knowledge to be dangerous, so I figured it would be a better idea to ask someone who is more knowledgeable about these things. Which do you suggest?
Thanks!
-Dave