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Step 3Using your Solar Boombox
Larger solar panels require charging circuitry to regulate the charge current and protect the battery from overcharging. Our solar panel is small enough that a charge controller isn't required.
The battery and solar panel are removable so that you can remove the battery and solar panel and set them outside to charge with less concern for the weather and theft. You could also have two batteries and have one charging outside, while you use the boombox inside, or in shade.
Batteries will last longer if kept in a charged state.
Try to keep lead acid (SLA) batteries fully charged, and never allow voltage to fall below around 9.6 volts (The amp will stop working at around this voltage)
NIMH batteries can be fully discharged without damage, but also should be kept charged for best results.
If your battery will not be used for a while, its charge should be topped off periodically, either by leaving in a sunny spot with the solar panel attached, or by using a wall charger.
I would do this monthly with a SLA battery, and biweekly with NIMH.
Read this instructable for some basic solar battery charging information.
Putting a bead of silicone caulk around the glass on your solar panel is recommended to help weatherproof it.
Different audio sources have different output levels. If you feel your box is too quiet, the source may not put out strong enough of a signal.
You should be able to turn the amplifier nearly all the way up, and control the volume with your source, assuming it has a volume control. You can experiment with different combinations with the two volumes in order to get the best sound.
Keep the solar panel oriented towards the sun, and not shaded for best charging. Even a small amount of shade negates its ability to charge the battery.
I get 6 hours playback from a fully charged 2.6 Ah battery at top volume, and 10+ hours at normal listening volumes. This is with the solar panel disconnected. YMMV
Sonic Impact amp specs-
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The TA2024 is a 15 W/ch continuous average two-channel Class-T Digital Audio
Power Amplifier IC using proprietary Digital Power Processing� technology.
Class-T amplifiers offer both the audio fidelity of Class-A/B and the
power efficiency of Classââý¬â€ýD amplifiers.
APPLICATIONS
Ãý· Battery Powered System
Ãý· Optional AC Adapter for 12V DC power source
Ãý· No heat sink required up to 15W per channel
Ãý· Intelligent short circuit protection
Ãý· Connects to any passive 4/8 Ohm speakers
Ãý· Takes standard audio line input from any sound system
BENEFITS
Ãý· Fully integrated solution with FETs
Ãý· Easier to design-in than Class-D
Ãý· Reduced system cost with no heat sink
Ãý· Dramatically improves efficiency versus Class-AB
Ãý· Signal fidelity equal to high quality linear amplifiers
FEATURES
Ãý· Class-T architecture
Ãý· Single Supply Operation
Ãý· ââý¬ï¿½Audiophileââý¬ï¿½ Quality Sound
0.04% THD+N @ 9W, 4 Ohm
0.18% IHF-IM @ 1W, 4 Ohm
11W @ 4 Ohm, 0.1% THD+N
6W @ 8 Ohm, 0.1% THD+N
Ãý· High Power
15W @ 4 Ohm, 10% THD+N
10W @ 8 Ohm, 10% THD+N
Ãý· High Efficiency
81% @ 15W, 4 Ohm
88% @ 10W, 8 Ohm
Ãý· Dynamic Range = 102 dB
Ãý· Mute and Sleep inputs
Ãý· Turn-on & turn-off pop suppression
Ãý· Over-current protection
Ãý· Over-temperature protection
Harbor Freight solar panel specs
Model 44768
1.5W
120mA
22.5 VDC open circuit voltage
14.75"L x 6.5"W x .875"Thick
91" cord
weather, shock, rust, UV resistant frame
The battery and solar panel are removable so that you can remove the battery and solar panel and set them outside to charge with less concern for the weather and theft. You could also have two batteries and have one charging outside, while you use the boombox inside, or in shade.
Batteries will last longer if kept in a charged state.
Try to keep lead acid (SLA) batteries fully charged, and never allow voltage to fall below around 9.6 volts (The amp will stop working at around this voltage)
NIMH batteries can be fully discharged without damage, but also should be kept charged for best results.
If your battery will not be used for a while, its charge should be topped off periodically, either by leaving in a sunny spot with the solar panel attached, or by using a wall charger.
I would do this monthly with a SLA battery, and biweekly with NIMH.
Read this instructable for some basic solar battery charging information.
Putting a bead of silicone caulk around the glass on your solar panel is recommended to help weatherproof it.
Different audio sources have different output levels. If you feel your box is too quiet, the source may not put out strong enough of a signal.
You should be able to turn the amplifier nearly all the way up, and control the volume with your source, assuming it has a volume control. You can experiment with different combinations with the two volumes in order to get the best sound.
Keep the solar panel oriented towards the sun, and not shaded for best charging. Even a small amount of shade negates its ability to charge the battery.
I get 6 hours playback from a fully charged 2.6 Ah battery at top volume, and 10+ hours at normal listening volumes. This is with the solar panel disconnected. YMMV
Sonic Impact amp specs-
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The TA2024 is a 15 W/ch continuous average two-channel Class-T Digital Audio
Power Amplifier IC using proprietary Digital Power Processing� technology.
Class-T amplifiers offer both the audio fidelity of Class-A/B and the
power efficiency of Classââý¬â€ýD amplifiers.
APPLICATIONS
Ãý· Battery Powered System
Ãý· Optional AC Adapter for 12V DC power source
Ãý· No heat sink required up to 15W per channel
Ãý· Intelligent short circuit protection
Ãý· Connects to any passive 4/8 Ohm speakers
Ãý· Takes standard audio line input from any sound system
BENEFITS
Ãý· Fully integrated solution with FETs
Ãý· Easier to design-in than Class-D
Ãý· Reduced system cost with no heat sink
Ãý· Dramatically improves efficiency versus Class-AB
Ãý· Signal fidelity equal to high quality linear amplifiers
FEATURES
Ãý· Class-T architecture
Ãý· Single Supply Operation
Ãý· ââý¬ï¿½Audiophileââý¬ï¿½ Quality Sound
0.04% THD+N @ 9W, 4 Ohm
0.18% IHF-IM @ 1W, 4 Ohm
11W @ 4 Ohm, 0.1% THD+N
6W @ 8 Ohm, 0.1% THD+N
Ãý· High Power
15W @ 4 Ohm, 10% THD+N
10W @ 8 Ohm, 10% THD+N
Ãý· High Efficiency
81% @ 15W, 4 Ohm
88% @ 10W, 8 Ohm
Ãý· Dynamic Range = 102 dB
Ãý· Mute and Sleep inputs
Ãý· Turn-on & turn-off pop suppression
Ãý· Over-current protection
Ãý· Over-temperature protection
Harbor Freight solar panel specs
Model 44768
1.5W
120mA
22.5 VDC open circuit voltage
14.75"L x 6.5"W x .875"Thick
91" cord
weather, shock, rust, UV resistant frame
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May 12, 2009. 12:41 AMmaxwelltub
says:
why do you need a plug/jack? couldn't you just have the plug hooked up to the battery and solar panel? is the the jack just extra in case you want to charge it through other means?
Reply
1
May 12, 2009. 5:50 AM
pekar (author)
says:
pekar (author)
says:
Yes, it also allows you to use multiple batteries. Personally, I find it most convenient to be able to separate the battery, solar panel, and boombox. This also allows me to charge the battery without having to leave the boombox out in the weather. You can hardwire everything, but I think most people will appreciate being able to separate the components. The plug/jack also helps avoid the possibility of connecting two power sources in series and frying the amp.
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