topic Re: Solar Panels using 5v micro Y adapter in Arlo Pro 2

Solar Panels using 5v micro Y adapter

Blitzer — Sat, 13 May 2023 17:02:20 GMT

Hello & thanks for stopping to read & thoughts.

I have a question. I have put my cameras outside on a old light pole 15ft high behind corner of my home. Theres a treated wood left over from what use to be a box that I want to put cameras underneath, Each one facing different directions. The top wood panel creates shade & protects camera from hail, heavy rain & sun glare. Now,

I have several 5 volt Y Micro USB charging Cables/Male Splitter Cables. Is it possible to connect one of the Y cable to a block charger (unplugged on standby), the other part of Y to solar panel, & main cable to camera. This way if it's tropical rain/cloudy & solar panel not able to charge for days= then I could plug in ext cord outside so 5v charger would then charge low batteries. Then when charged or solar panel starts to charge then unplug block.

Thoughts? Any problems seen? Thanks Blitzer 👍

Re: Solar Panels using 5v micro Y adapter

jguerdat — Sun, 14 May 2023 12:54:09 GMT

Not sure that's a good idea. Attaching AC power to a solar panel may lead to something undesirable. If you want to try, do it on the ground to see what happens but it could be an expensive trial.

Re: Solar Panels using 5v micro Y adapter

Blitzer — Sun, 14 May 2023 15:50:43 GMT

Thanks Jguerdat for the reply, much grateful👍

I definitely understand what your telling me.. i bought a reverse diode protector last week & this, im hoping, will do what its designed to do & stop reversal of power.

Y adapter plug, i added a diode protection block which allows current to flow in one direction, i put it Between the 5 volt solar panel & base of Y coming from camera. This should allow 5V going to camera to charge batteries & keep security cameras running,(only when i need to Plug it in), as all other times its getting power/charging from solar panel but reverse diode protector is supposed to keep power from reversing.

Im going to put a test meter on it today & check to see if its does what it says its supposed to 👍im hoping when we dont have sunny days for 5 to 10 days do to a tropical event along Gulf Coast this will help keep batteries charged & security cameras running. I ran a 25ft safety extension cord thru a 1.5 inch PVC along side of telephone pole up to lights & lower half to outdoor waterproof plug switch box attached to a transfer box for outdoor gas/propane generator for loss of power. I'll let you know if your interested, what the meter test says.. thanks Pal for reply.. have a great Sunday..

Blitzer..

Re: Solar Panels using 5v micro Y adapter

jguerdat — Mon, 15 May 2023 12:24:17 GMT

Don't forget that a forward biased diode has a .7 volt voltage drop so 5V isn't - it's 4.3V. Good luck - I'd be interested to hear how it works out.

Re: Solar Panels using 5v micro Y adapter

TomMac — Mon, 15 May 2023 12:54:43 GMT

and would be interested to see a reading of voltage off the panel...

a while back I checked and it wasn't 5v but more like 6.x ( prob within limits tho )