The Solar:Bit is the environmentally friendly way to power your BBC micro:bit and learn about solar power! It includes a 5W solar panel and 1500mAh rechargeable battery pack with charge controller. The battery pack can be charged in about a day using the solar panel, or in 2 hours using the quick charge micro-USB port. The battery pack also serves as a stand for the solar panel while charging, or for your micro:bit! Micro:bit sold separately.
HOW IT WORKS
MEASURING THE BATTERY VOLTAGE
You can create a simple program on the micro:bit to measure the battery voltage using a jumper wire.
- Connect a jumper from the Battery Voltage Monitor pin on the Solar Battery to the P0 input on the micro:bit.
- Create a program that will loop on analog read P0 and printout the results. The reading will be between 0 and approximately 400. For example a battery voltage of 4.27 volts will give 1.78 volts at the battery monitor terminal. ( 4.27 ÷ 2.4 = 1.78) and a value of 391 in the analog read.
SPECIFICATIONS
| USB Connector Max. Current | 200ma |
| Solar Panel | 1 to 5 watts, 6 Volts |
| Battery Voltage monitor | Analog output, Battery Voltage ÷ 2.4, 715K Impedance |
| Battery | Lithium Polymer, 3.7V nominal, Max charge Voltage 4.2V Minimum Discharge Voltage 3.0V. Capacity 1500mAh |
| Low Battery Turn Off | 3.0V +- 0.15V |
| Over Charge Protection | 4.7V |
| Dimensions | 60mm x 60mm x 18mm |
| Weight | 50gr |