This open source product from Sparkfun (named Sunny Buddy) features Linear Instruments LT3652 MPPT li-ion/li-poly battery charger IC that can support up to 2A charging current.
Unfortunately, the board has been designed to support by default only 450mA charging current rate, but by replacing R1 sense resistor the current can be raised up.
Anyway, on this board if we lower R1 too much, the current will be too high and the inductor will actually saturate, limiting the output current artificially. If I'm correct, I calculated that the maximum achievable current should be ≈0,84A (inductor DC current = 1,05A – 20%).
But this way, if I understood how this IC works, the most of my solar panel power will be wasted.
Solar panel specifications
Voc = 9,94V
Vp = 8,54V
Vmp = 7,95V
Isc = 0,90A
Wp = 7,15W
Low power
Discharged battery voltage: 3,2V
Max current: 0,84A
Max power: 3,36W
If I could change the electronic components involved in the switching process, to reach a current of 2,0A, I'll probably get much better results:
Discharged battery voltage: 3,2V
Max current: 2,0A
Max power: 6,40W
What components should be replaced in the circuit and what board design rules should I keep in mind to let the IC work at 2.0A max?
Board schematics
Board Eagle files
Thank you in advance.
Best Answer
I will answer but I want to point out that your panel can only supply 7.15W according to the information in your question. In order to charge a single LiPo cell at 2A, the maximum output power would be 2A * 4.2V = 8.4W. It is physically impossible for output power to be higher than input power. But it is still a good idea to increase the charge rate to 2A. This will allow the charger to extract as much power as it can from the panel.
Here is a link to the datasheet for the part: http://cds.linear.com/docs/en/datasheet/3652fe.pdf
Here is what you should do:
1) Change R1 to 50 mOhms. This sets the charge current.
2) Change D1 to MBRS340 (available from several vendors). The diode in the Sunny Buddy may get over-loaded if you go to 2A charge.
3) Change L1 to 10uH capable of 2.5 to 3A. E.g., Bourns p/n SDE0805A-100M. It is tricky to calculate ripple current for a solar panel, because Vin max does not occur during Iout max. But 10 uH should give you low ripple current.
I did not study the whole design. I am assuming other things are set up in a reasonable fashion (such as the charge timeout and float voltage). I definitely recommend you review the datasheet, and, if Linear has a reference design for this part, review the reference design schematic and any notes or datasheet available for it.
Good luck!