Sunny Buddy Solar Charger V13 Hookup Guide

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Contributors: SFUptownMaker
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Introduction

Heads up! If you have an older version of the Sunny Buddy (V1.0 and older), please refer to this hookup guide. For V1.3 and beyond, continue reading. Check the back of the board for the version number.

The Sunny Buddy is a small maximum power point tracking solar charger for single-cell LiPo batteries.

SparkFun Sunny Buddy - MPPT Solar Charger

SparkFun Sunny Buddy - MPPT Solar Charger

PRT-12885
$28.95
10

This tutorial will help you understand what the Sunny Buddy is, why it's useful, and how to use it.

Required Materials

The Sunny Buddy can't do anything without a supporting cast. Pair the Sunny Buddy with these buddies to make it work:

  • Solar Panel -- Most panels should work, just make sure they produce an output voltage between 6-20V. Our large and huge panels will work. Our small panels will work if you connect two of them in series (see the "Hooking It Up" page for details). The following panels with a center-positive barrel jack will be able to plug directly into the Sunny Buddy with ease.

    Solar Panel - 3.5W

    PRT-13782
    1 Retired

    Solar Panel - 6W

    PRT-13783
    2 Retired

    Solar Panel - 9W

    PRT-13784
    1 Retired
  • A Load -- Your battery has to power something, right? Your load can be anything from an LED to an Arduino-powered robot.

Suggested Reading

Here are some other tutorials you may find useful before delving into this hookup guide: