How to boost 2v - 4v, 50mA - 100mA to 5v 500mA?

Thread Starter

BhanuShashanka

Joined Jun 21, 2023
6
I have two solar panels each containing of 2V 50mA. I want to make a phone charger or a Li-Po battery charger with these solar panels. Is there any way I can boost and get an output of 5V 500mA? Also I have purchased few components, 0.9 - 5V to USB 5V 600mA Boost Converter, TP4056 Charging Module and Power Bank Module. The USB Booster is boosting Volts, but not the mA, so the charging percentage in my phone is not increase. I have no knowledge about all these, but just a lot interest. Please help, thank you.

These are the links to the products I purchased :

USB Boost Converter
https://www.amazon.in/Robocraze-Con...efix=0.9+-+5v+to+usb+5v,computers,188&sr=1-11
TP40596 Module:
https://www.amazon.in/Electronic-Sp...omputers&sprefix=tp4056,computers,203&sr=1-12
Power Bank Module
https://www.amazon.in/Electronic-Sp...words=power+bank+module&qid=1687324300&sr=8-2
 

dendad

Joined Feb 20, 2016
4,635
No.
You will need bigger solar panels.
You cannot boost the max power of a solar panel to get more power out. If you boost the voltage, the max current goes down and vica verca.
You have 2 x (2V x 50mA) = 2 x 0.1Watt = 0.2Watts of power available. (Power = Voltage x Current)
5V x 500mA = 2.5Watts so you are a long way short.
 

Thread Starter

BhanuShashanka

Joined Jun 21, 2023
6
No.
You will need bigger solar panels.
You cannot boost the max power of a solar panel to get more power out. If you boost the voltage, the max current goes down and vica verca.
You have 2 x (2V x 50mA) = 2 x 0.1Watt = 0.2Watts of power available. (Power = Voltage x Current)
5V x 500mA = 2.5Watts so you are a long way short.
Thank you very much. But if I increase my Volts, will that help decrease the Volts and increase Current. For example, 10V 250mA to 5V 500mA?
 

dendad

Joined Feb 20, 2016
4,635
Look for a 12V at least 500mA panel and then use switch mode 12V to 5V buck converter. There will be losses as nothing is 100% efficient. You are looking at (5V +1V) x 1A = 6Watta at least. The +1V is to allow for the voltage drop over the regulator. This is just a quick rule of thumb example.The losses may be more. Solar panels are quite cheap now so go bigger. Maybe aim for a 12V car battery and a solar panel with charge controller than you can press a car USB charger into service.
 

Thread Starter

BhanuShashanka

Joined Jun 21, 2023
6
Look for a 12V at least 500mA panel and then use switch mode 12V to 5V buck converter. There will be losses as nothing is 100% efficient. You are looking at (5V +1V) x 1A = 6Watta at least. The +1V is to allow for the voltage drop over the regulator. This is just a quick rule of thumb example.The losses may be more. Solar panels are quite cheap now so go bigger. Maybe aim for a 12V car battery and a solar panel with charge controller than you can press a car USB charger into service.
Thank you very much.
 

dendad

Joined Feb 20, 2016
4,635
It may just work but that is assuming all the figures quoted are real, but it is generally a good idea to run things not at max levels.
The solar panel, assuming it is 12V at 240mA, will only give that a full light levels. That does not happen often. So, get a 12V 1A panel then you will have more chance of getting the required power level for a longer time. Even then, it will only work for some of the day.
 

BobTPH

Joined Jun 5, 2013
11,463
I have found a buck converter online. 6-24V To 5V 3A USB Step Down Module
Generic Dc-Dc Buck Module 6-24V 12V/24V To 5V 3A Usb Step Down Power Supply Charger Efficiency 97.5% : Amazon.in: Computers & Accessories

Just wanted to know, how this product work? Will it give my required output of 5V 500mA, with the input of 12V 240mA? Please help, thank you.
The solar panel output is rated at the equator at noon on a perfectly clear day. Under any other conditions, it will output less. Perhaps with two if them you could get enough power.
 
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