Hey guys, I'm a college freshman, and a total newbie when it comes to electronics. I'm working on a project, the gist of which is as follows:
I want to use a solar panel to power an ordinary clock. The solar panel also recharges a set of rechargeable batteries, as long as it receives optimal sunlight. When the Earth rotates and the solar panel no longer receives direct sunlight, the rechargeable batteries take over and power the clock, as well as a motor, which makes the whole setup rotate, until the solar panel receives direct sunlight once again. Now, the solar panel takes over, and the batteries stop supplying power to the motor, and the cycles continues. By the evening, the rechargeable batteries should have stored enough energy to power the clock throughout the night, until the next morning, when the solar panel takes over.
Basically, when the voltage produced by the solar panel is high,current should flow from panel to clock. When the voltage produced by the solar panel is low, current should flow from rechargeable batteries to motor and clock.
How should I go about this? What components will I need? (capacitors? transistors? relays?)
I want to use a solar panel to power an ordinary clock. The solar panel also recharges a set of rechargeable batteries, as long as it receives optimal sunlight. When the Earth rotates and the solar panel no longer receives direct sunlight, the rechargeable batteries take over and power the clock, as well as a motor, which makes the whole setup rotate, until the solar panel receives direct sunlight once again. Now, the solar panel takes over, and the batteries stop supplying power to the motor, and the cycles continues. By the evening, the rechargeable batteries should have stored enough energy to power the clock throughout the night, until the next morning, when the solar panel takes over.
Basically, when the voltage produced by the solar panel is high,current should flow from panel to clock. When the voltage produced by the solar panel is low, current should flow from rechargeable batteries to motor and clock.
How should I go about this? What components will I need? (capacitors? transistors? relays?)