Hello everybody!
I want to dump energy from some solar panels into heating by using two heating elements (R1 and R2). To maximize the power output from the solar panels I plan to use a microcontroller to change between single heater, series and parallel configurations.
Now, I tried to come up with a circuit using switches (see the attached image file below).
Using relays, I think this would work nicely. However, I was thinking it could be a smart move to design it using MOSFETs instead of relays for higher reliability. Now, I am not very familiar with using MOSFETs as switches in such a configuration. (I have only used MOSFETs for low-side switching of a single load using N-channel MOSFETs).
The maximum current (when both heaters are connected in parallel) would be around 8-10A at 220VDC. I will have unregulated 36V (from a single PV) and regulated 12VDC available.
I guess S1 should be okay using a N-channel MOSFET?
Any tips for choosing and configuring the MOSFETs S2 and S3 or pointers in the right direction (reading material, example circuits, etc.) would be greatly appreciated. I suppose it would make sense to use a P-channel MOSFET for S3, what about S2?
I want to dump energy from some solar panels into heating by using two heating elements (R1 and R2). To maximize the power output from the solar panels I plan to use a microcontroller to change between single heater, series and parallel configurations.
Now, I tried to come up with a circuit using switches (see the attached image file below).
Using relays, I think this would work nicely. However, I was thinking it could be a smart move to design it using MOSFETs instead of relays for higher reliability. Now, I am not very familiar with using MOSFETs as switches in such a configuration. (I have only used MOSFETs for low-side switching of a single load using N-channel MOSFETs).
The maximum current (when both heaters are connected in parallel) would be around 8-10A at 220VDC. I will have unregulated 36V (from a single PV) and regulated 12VDC available.
I guess S1 should be okay using a N-channel MOSFET?
Any tips for choosing and configuring the MOSFETs S2 and S3 or pointers in the right direction (reading material, example circuits, etc.) would be greatly appreciated. I suppose it would make sense to use a P-channel MOSFET for S3, what about S2?