Controlling 3.6kW of photo voltaic EV charging with an Arduino GIGA R1 WiFi
Controlling 3.6kW of photo voltaic EV charging with an Arduino GIGA R1 WiFi
Arduino Staff — March 4th, 2024
The EV (electrical car) versus ICE (inner combustion engine) debate is extra difficult that it could appear, however one truth is sort of easy: it’s a lot simpler to generate electrical energy at house than it’s to refine fossil fuels. Which means it’s potential energy a car at no cost after the preliminary funding. However doing so takes numerous {hardware}, which is why Shawn Murphy developed this charging system managed by an Arduino GIGA R1 WiFi.
Murphy owns a Ford Lightning electrical pickup truck, which is inefficient by EV requirements because of its weight. However even at simply two miles per kWh of electrical energy, he estimates that he can break even on the price of his photo voltaic charging system inside 4 to 5 years. After that, the electrical energy to energy the Ford will, basically, be free. Any extra power can energy his house or feed again into the grid.
Simply powering the truck alone would require lots of electrical energy, so Murphy acquired 10 used 360-watt photo voltaic panels. These feed to a battery backup array, which provides energy to the Ford charging station.
To maximise effectivity, Murphy desires the photo voltaic panels to pivot on one axis to comply with the solar. He estimates that can enhance their output by 20-25% all through the day, which is a big quantity of power with a photo voltaic panel array this huge. An Arduino GIGA R1 WiFi board controls the lean of the panels through linear actuators. Murphy initially used “dumb” actuators, however is switching to “sensible” fashions from Progressive Automations that embody positional suggestions by way of Corridor impact sensors.
A GIGA Display Shield offers Murphy entry to an interface, which he may entry by way of the Arduino Cloud. Along with controlling the linear actuators, the Arduino displays energy era and consumption.
This is still a work in progress as Murphy continues to make enhancements, however he’s properly on his solution to “free” power for his truck.
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