I’d like to deploy a FieldKit station with solar power, but I’m not sure it’ll get enough light to keep the station powered. Is there a way to find out?
As a rule of thumb 6-8 hours of full sun a day is ample power to charge a FieldKit station. Any spot with enough sun for a vegetable garden will be good for your station. In general, solar panels being used in the Northern Hemisphere should face south at a 30-40 degree angle, and solar panels being used in the Southern Hemisphere should be at the same angle but facing north. Still not sure how to position your panel? Try asking the helpful folks in the FieldKit Community Forum!
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Can I connect multiple solar panels to a single FieldKit?
No. FieldKit’s charging rate is fixed regardless of how many panels are connected, so adding additional panels will not make it charge faster, and in many configurations it could damage the hardware. If you have a speciality application where ...
I’m a scientist who is interested in using FieldKit but I’m not sure if it’ll meet my research needs. Is there a way I can evaluate the product?
Of course. Send us an e-mail (science@fieldkit.org) and we’ll answer any questions and get you a station to test with.
How do I reattach the black cover on the back of the solar panel after attaching cables?
If the back panel does not slide easily back into place, we recommend sculpting the wires into place and applying moderate pressure to get it back on.
Is there documentation on the solar option, such as where to connect and what voltages are allowed?
We don't offer technical support for third-party panels, but we've tested a wide variety of "nominal 12V" panels without issues. In theory, anything up to 20V should function. The connector is a JST-PH header marked "Solar" on the Lower board.
I’m a teacher, and I’d like to use FieldKit in my classroom, but funds are super limited. Is there a discount available for educators?
acher We love teachers, and we want FieldKit to be in as many classrooms as possible. We don’t have a one-size-fits all educational discount, but if you get in touch with us (education@fieldkit.org), we can certainly work something out.