Photovoltaic voltage regulation with power storage for DIY hydrogen generation cell

James · 2014-10-28T03:27:07+00:00

Hi, I am trying to design a voltage regulator that takes the input from a photo voltaic cell and provides a steady voltage output for a hydrogen generation cell. Short circuit values: Voltage: 21.24V short-circuit voltage Current: 2.56A short circuit current Mean values: Voltage: 17.4Vm Current: 2.29Am The output voltage must be steady, but the load can take as much current as you can give it (for the purposes of the electrolytic cell). Clearly the output of the PV cell will vary in time depending on ambient li ght. Because the energy from the solar cell is precious, I'd like to store any excess energy in capacitors. For example, suppose the cell is producing 17V and 2.29A during bright dayl ight. If you use a series voltage regulator, part of the voltage will be so aked up by the regulating device resistance (Rv) with a power loss associat ed with that (Rv*I^2) I would prefer it if this power otherwise lost is shu nted to a capacitor bank. Can someone please help me design the appropriate circuit? Thanks. James

Oct 28, 2014 20 Replies

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Tim Wescott 11 years ago

OK, point taken. But if the OP is generating hydrogen then presumably he's storing it somehow, and if he's already got that problem solved then he's got hydrogen on hand.

When I electrolyzed hydrogen I just stuck wires into a bottle of salt water, with a balloon over the top.

Then I poked the balloon with a lit match.

I think I was 12.

Funfunfun. Safely recovering lots of energy was NOT at the top of my priority list.

Tim Wescott Wescott Design Services http://www.wescottdesign.com

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