soalr SMPS part 6: the prototype
At least we got to this stage. All designing work is done, PCB is designed, parts arrived, time for assembly. As usually it wasn't smooth sailing. Assembly When assembling I run out of 22uF 0805 capacitors. Due to global chip (and other electronic parts too) shortage then only models available were 50 cents / pcs. With 12 caps on board that'd be 6 euro just for filtering caps. Not in hackers spirit. 10uF 0805 caps I was able to acquire at 3.5 cents / pcs figuring I can just stack two on top of each other to get better filtering. My chosen MOSFET wasn't available and I had to switch for BUK4D38 which has both higher gate charge and Rdson. Finally silicon wafers' price spiked increasing solar panel prices few times. I hope they'll drop soon but in meantime I want to make it going on panels I already have and what I have is totally incompatible with original project requirements (19V MPPT voltage) so will have to work far away from it's maximum power point. First