Can a Capacitor Be Used for Both Charging and Discharging in a Solar Circuit?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility of using capacitors for both charging and discharging in a solar-powered robot circuit. The user seeks to charge capacitors in parallel from two 4-volt solar panels while discharging them in series to power the robot's motors. A suggestion was made to consider using a DC to DC converter to facilitate this process, as the user cannot utilize batteries. The design complexity involves ensuring that the capacitors can effectively store and release energy without direct interaction with the robot.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of capacitor charging and discharging principles
  • Knowledge of solar panel voltage output and configuration
  • Familiarity with DC to DC converter functionality
  • Basic circuit design involving series and parallel connections
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "DC to DC converter options for solar applications"
  • Explore "capacitor sizing for energy storage in robotics"
  • Study "circuit design for parallel and series capacitor configurations"
  • Investigate "stepper motor power requirements and control"
USEFUL FOR

Electronics enthusiasts, robotics developers, and engineers working on solar-powered projects who need to optimize energy storage and delivery using capacitors.

coolmanhalo
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can we connect a capacitor in a way that we can charge and discharge a capacitor in the same circuit but the charging is done in series and discharging is done in parallel??
please help.
 
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Welcome to PF :smile:

Can you write out the homework question exactly as it was written? Also, what are your thoughts towards attempting a solution?
 
well i actually have to make a project and i am making a solar powered robot.
so the problem is that if i charge a capacitor in series it will get max charge and when it is connected in parallel it will give max output so i am trying to find a circuit which can do that i think it will probably be a complex design using a few transistors
 
I don't understand ... what is the capacitor going to be in series or parallel with?

Or do you mean there would be more than one capacitor, and all the capacitors are in series or parallel with each other?

It would be easier to use rechargeable batteries instead of capacitors, I would think.
 
the capacitor is connected to 2 solar panels each of 4volts and i think i will use to capacitors the capacitors are meant to act as batteries. now the problem i am having is that i can charge the capacitor in parallel so that they get more charge stored in them but i also need to use the charge stored in the capacitor in the circuit without actually touching the robot.
i can't use external batteries so i need a circuit which can charge the capacitors in parallel and discharge in series .

the capacitors are in series/ parallel with each other.
thank u
 
I think you are just describing a DC to DC converter. You can get some really cheap DC to DC converters from digi-key.
 
coolmanhalo, what are the voltage and current requirements of the robot? Why can't you use a battery?
 
i can't use a battery cause i am using a solar panels and the robot is suppose to work on just the energy from the solar panels.
and i don't know the exact voltage or current requirement yet but it should be enough to drive 2 motors at a reasonable speed or maybe 1 motor with gears the motor is going to be a stepper motor with a gearbox(probably)

i can't get to that point until i actually figure out the problem to powering up the bot.
and hey fleem i'll check out the website u said man thx.:smile:
 

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