Step 4: Blocking Diode
The first thing I'm going to do is hook up my blocking diode. I just soldered it onto the positive wire coming off my battery holder, and then the other end of the diode onto one of the positive tabs on a solar panel. Also, at this time solder the negative wire from the battery pack onto one of the negative tabs of the solar panels.
(If you're only using one solar panel, you've actually done with soldering.)
Why do we need this? Well solar panels are great at creating power when it's sunny out. When it get's dark they try and suck power back into themselves, which then destroys them. To stop this we use a blocking diode so that power only flows in one direction.
Also, see that black bar on the diode. Always make sure you know which way it's going. You want the black bar pointing in the direction you want power to flow.
(If you're only using one solar panel, you've actually done with soldering.)
Why do we need this? Well solar panels are great at creating power when it's sunny out. When it get's dark they try and suck power back into themselves, which then destroys them. To stop this we use a blocking diode so that power only flows in one direction.
Also, see that black bar on the diode. Always make sure you know which way it's going. You want the black bar pointing in the direction you want power to flow.
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naturefreak
says:
Dec 26, 2011. 8:05 AMReply
Will a small led work as a blocking diode ?
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