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DiscoverCircuits.com -- Hobby Corner
Last Updated on:
Tuesday, June 01, 2021 03:06 PM
Hobby Circuits List
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Tester Circuits
Solar Insulation Meter (June 1, 2017)
designed
by David A. Johnson, P.E.
You don’t need a fancy and expensive meter to measure the sun’s intensity. With some inexpensive parts you can build your own meter. I used a 1ma meter movement and a single solar cell I got on eBay with an area of about one square inch. I calibrated the meter on a very clear bright summer day when the sun was directly overhead. I pointed the solar cell for the maximum deflection on the meter and then adjusted the 100 ohm variable resistor R2 for a full scale reading. |
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The meter is great for spot checking expected sun power at specific roof angles, times of the day and even overcast conditions. I was amazed when I expected a low power reading on a cloudy day but measured about 60% intensity. I have also shown below the circuit needed for a typical 100uA meter movement. |
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Click on Circuit Below to view PDF of Schematic |
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