Arduino Solar Shower Prototype

 

Work in progress...


This project is meant to work entirely on solar power, as a viable solution to the current energy crisis. Of course, this is perfect for an "off grid" location and must be considered mainly a prototype which needs (and must allow) fine tuning, regarding the conditions existent in the location. Take it as a base blueprint. 

The big picture

Schematic block not yet ready... 

  • A water barrel as a water tank, sized for three showers maybe?
  • Two Solenoid Valves
  • Two DIY water level sensors
  • A solar water heater (correctly sized);
  • An Arduino board;
  • A DIY controller Arduino shield (schematic provided)
  • A water pump
  • Two micro switches to Stat/Stop showering;
  • Hoses, faucets, etc.

The Power


 

Because my battery is

- UPS Ultracell UL12-12, 12 V, 12 Ah

I will obviously  go with a 12V system, but the schematic is sized to work with 12/24/48 volts systems;

- MPPT Solar Charge Controller, Pro Sun, 12/24V, 50A

which have also two USB 5V connectors to charge your phones, from where our $V power for Arduino board comes;

- Solar Panel 18V, 100W (17.5V/75W/4A mine)

This should be enough to power our controller and the solenoid valves and pump.

The Arduino Shield Controller

From the beginning I have to say that the shield is designed in KiCAD with a mix of components from the standard distribution and from the smisioto archive (this one, mainly for it's pretty 3D components). 

The PCB


 Not much to say here... other than the shield is powered by the solar battery connected only after the Arduino was connected to the 5V USB connector from the Solar charge controller. Again, connect the Arduino board only on the USB connector and then the shield on the 12V battery (24/48V if is the case)

The schematic

 
Here, just a partial screenshot...


NOTE 1: If you don't have heating problems with your electro-valves and the pump, then the R14/X1, R15/C2 and R16/C3 groups must be omitted (in this case, put jumpers instead of resistors). Otherwise, the resistors must be sized according with the pump/electro-valves targeted consumption.  

NOTE 2: If your pump, electro-valves consumes more than 1amp each, select the protection diodes to accommodate that consumption. 

NOTE 3: the water level sensors are made from simple wires.

NOTE 4: the DS18B20 temperature sensor depicted on the silkscreen (of the pcb) and also on the schematic is there just for guidance because you will attach it to the screw-connector via wires. That is,  this project uses only one temperature sensor. 

Free Download Files (Personal use, Non-Commercial):

- board.pdf

- schematic.pdf

- silkscreen.pdf

- firmware.hex (work in progress)

..

The Solar Water Heater

You can find many solutions on internet and youtube, the one below is easy to build and quite efficient:


 


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