Project Hub /Basic Analog & Power Electronics/Battery Chargers & Charging Circuits/MPPT Solar Charge Controller using LT3652

Intermediate

ANALOG / DISCRETE

₹500 – ₹1,500

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

MPPT Solar Charge Controller using LT3652

Build a high-efficiency MPPT solar charge controller using the LT3652 IC to charge lithium battery packs from solar panels or DC adapters.

Originally published on CircuitDigest

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

10pcs 5mm RED Diffused Light Emitting Diodes - LEDs Set Rs. 39.00
10pcs - 220 ohm 1/4 W Resistor Set Rs. 39.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

This list includes a generic resistor set as a placeholder — it is not matched to the exact value or part number this circuit needs. The correct one is specified on the original source page linked above; check it before buying.

We don't carry yet: Battery (generic / unspecified)
Diodes (1N4007 / 1N4148 / Schottky / Zener)
Potentiometer / Trimpot
Capacitors
Inductors / Coils / Ferrite
DC Barrel Jack / Power Connector
Custom PCB / PCB Fab
LT3652 Driver

Browse all components

How It Works

This intermediate-level power electronics project centers around the LT3652 power driver IC, which regulates energy transfer from a solar panel or DC adapter to safely charge a 7.4V lithium battery pack. Power enters the circuit through a barrel socket, while 1N5819 diodes manage directional current flow and prevent reverse-voltage damage. The LT3652 collaborates with a 68uH inductor and various capacitors (including 10uF, 1uF, and 100uF components) to form a high-efficiency step-down switching regulator topology. Resistors of various values—such as 220k, 330k, 200k, and 1k variants, alongside a 10k potentiometer—configure the feedback loops, voltage thresholds, and charge current parameters required for chemistry-specific lithium battery charging. Green and Orange LEDs serve as visual status indicators, providing real-time feedback regarding the operational state of the charging cycle. Because this project is constructed on a custom PCB, the layout minimizes parasitic inductance and thermal resistance, ensuring stable switching regulator performance.

Why Build This

Design and fabricate custom power management printed circuit boards (PCBs) for renewable energy applications.

Understand switch-mode power supply (SMPS) topologies and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) principles using dedicated controller ICs.

Implement safe, reliable charging architectures for multi-cell lithium battery packs used in remote or off-grid systems.

Real-World Application

Off-grid solar power systems, portable solar chargers, remote IoT sensor power supplies, and lithium-ion battery backup systems.

Skills You'll Learn

Switch-mode power supply design

PCB layout optimization for power electronics

lithium battery charging algorithms

inductor and capacitor selection for DC-DC converters

thermal management in power ICs

Safety Precautions

Ensure correct polarity when connecting lithium batteries and solar panels to prevent short circuits and potential battery damage.

Technology Tags

LT3652

MPPT

SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLER

LITHIUM BATTERY

POWER MANAGEMENT

DC-DC CONVERTER

PCB DESIGN

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this circuit to charge battery chemistries other than lithium?

No, the LT3652 and its resistor divider network are specifically configured to meet the strict voltage and current profile required for 7.4V lithium-ion battery packs.

Why is a custom PCB required instead of a standard breadboard?

Switching regulators operating at high frequencies generate noise and require low-parasitic trace paths that breadboards simply cannot support safely or efficiently.

What is the purpose of the 10k potentiometer?

The potentiometer allows for fine-tuning of the control parameters or voltage thresholds associated with the LT3652 charging circuit.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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