MAT-7140: Charging

MAT-7140: Solar Charging and Battery Life

This article explains how to optimize the battery life of your miTrail MAT-7140 tracker using solar charging.

Maximizing Solar Charging:

  • Sunlight Exposure: Ensure your MAT-7140 tracker receives direct sunlight daily. This is crucial for extending battery life.
  • Regular Charging: For extended storage (over 3 months), give the device a full charge before storing to prevent battery damage.

Solar Charging Details:

  • Automatic Charging: The solar panel automatically charges the battery when the solar panel's voltage is 0.3V higher than the battery voltage.
  • Balancing Consumption and Gain: To optimize battery life, set reporting intervals carefully. Lower reporting rates (especially when stationary) help maintain a balance between power consumption and solar gain.

Additional Tips:

  • For specific questions or concerns regarding your tracker's battery life, contact miTrail support directly.
  • Power Consumption: This article provides additional details on typical device power consumption (around 50mAh) and solar panel charging rates (around 250mAh under ideal sunlight conditions). Note that charging rates can vary depending on sunlight intensity.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your MAT-7140 tracker operates for extended periods using solar power.