Smart Solar Power System
This page includes the Smart Solar Power System operating manual.
Product Name
Smart Solar Power System
SKU(s)
SOL-SM-V102-25W
18Ah LiFePO4 battery with 25W panel
SOL-SM-V102-50W
18Ah LiFePO4 battery with 50W panel
1. Introduction and Specs
1.1 Overview
The Smart Solar Power System is an easy-to-install, long-lasting solar power system with integrated data logging designed for QuantAQ's MOD-X series IoT air quality sensors. The system is pre-installed onto QuantAQ's Solar Pole Mount Kit making installation easy. The battery uses long-life LiFePO4 (LFP) cells and an integrated MPPT charge controller. Battery and Solar Panel health can be monitored from within the QuantAQ Cloud on supported systems.
An optional 5V USB converter cable allows the Smart Solar Power System to be used with older QuantAQ air quality sensors.
The data transmission is not supported when using the Smart Solar Power System with older QuantAQ sensors.
1.2 Specifications
Battery
Nominal Capacity
18 Ah / 230 Wh
Max Input Current
10 A
Cell Configuration
4S 3P LFP 32700
Mass
3 kg
Input Connectors
MC4
Standard Output Connector
M12, 4 pin
Input Voltage Range
14.5 V - 25 V
Output Temperature Range
-20º - 60ºC
Input Temperatute Range
0º - 45ºC
Standard Output Voltage Range
12.4 V - 14.6 V
Protections
Short Circuit, Over Discharge, Over Temperature, Under Temperature
Certifications
CE, FCC, RoHS, UN 38.3
Solar Panel
The table below includes values for both the 25W and 50W SKUs. If different, the value for the 50W system will be listed after the "/".
Wp - Maximum Power
28.5 W / 56.7 W
Vp - Voltage at Max Power
17.7 V
Voc - Open-Circuit Voltage
20.7 V
Ip - Current at Max Power
1.53 A / 3.2 A
Isc - Short-Circuit Current
1.69 A / 3.37 A
Solar Cell Efficiency
22.8%
Number of Cells
30
Mass
2 kg / 3.4 kg
Connector Type
MC4
Temperature Range
-40º - 85ºC
1.3 Certifications
Individual components of the battery assembly are certified by the battery vendor. The complete assembly is tested and certified to UN 38.3 and has a complete MSDS. The charge controller is tested and certified to EC62109, IEC62509, and CE. The LFP cells are tested and certified to UL1642.
1.4 Instrument Overview
System Overview
2. Installation and Hardware Setup
The Smart Solar Power System is shipped pre-assembled to ensure a quick and easy installation process. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Mounting Surface. The Smart Solar Power System is designed to be mounted to poles or posts with clear access to sunlight. While it may be possible (use your discretion), we do not recommend installing to horizontal surfaces such as railings.
Orientation. The azimuth and tilt angles at which the Solar Panel is installed is critically important for success and depends on your location and installation situation. We have resources for determining the ideal tilt and azimuth angle for your location (see this link) and season. If you have further questions, please contact support using the in-app chat. If you are installing in an area with obstructions (e.g., urban canyon), you may need to take extra precautions when choosing an ideal installation setup.
It is recommended that two people are present for installation of the Smart Solar Power System as the overall system weighs 17 lbs in total and ~9 lbs without the battery installed.
2.1 Unboxing
When your system arrives, it will be packaged in its shipping box pre-assembled. Once the box is open and the cables and quick-start guide are removed from the top of the box, carefully remove the assembly from the box by lifting underneath the sides of the solar panel and lifting it straight up. Set the assembly aside and cut away the plastic wrapping holding it together. In the box, you should expect to find:
Smart Solar Panel System Assembly
Quick-Start Guide
Parts bag including:
Four (4) 2.5" 1/4"-20 carriage bolts
Four (4) 1/4"-20 hex nuts
Two (2) Mounting Plates
To complete the installation, you will need the following tools:
Please see the unboxing and installation video below for a complete walk-through:
2.2 Installation
Remove the Battery Assembly and Screws
Lift the Solar Panel so that you can access the battery. At the base of the battery, there is a 1/4"-20 hex-head screw holding the battery into place. Remove the screw and set aside.
Near the top of the bracket, you will find two additional 1/4"-20 hex-head screws for securing the tilt angle of the solar panel. Remove those screws and set aside.
Secure the Solar Panel Assembly to Pole or Post
If you are mounting to a pole that is <2" in diameter, you can use the provided mounting hardware for installation. If installing to a larger post, you will need to acquire your own mounting hardware that fits the post you are installing to. We recommend hose clamps or metal straps that are no larger than 0.5" wide.
Mounting to a Pole < 2" in Diameter
Pre-set two of the provided carriage bolts in the bracket as shown below:
With the help of a second installer, place the bracket assembly against the post and secure using one of the mounting plates and two of the hex-head nuts:
Make sure to tighten both nuts evenly to distribute the stress against the entire mounting plate. Once complete, repeat this step with the lower mounting plate.
Mounting to a Post > 2" in Diameter
If you are mounting to a larger post, please follow the instructions in the following video:
Set the Solar Panel Tilt Angle
Once the bracket assembly is installed, adjust the solar panel's tilt angle to the appropriate angle for your location and installation scenario. Secure in place using the two previously-removed 1/4"-20 hex-head screws.
The tilt angles are labeled with each hole representing 10º in additional tilt. Once in place, ensure all four 1/4"-20 screws are tightened.
Connect and Secure the Cables
Attach the two MC4 cables (red and black) from the battery to the corresponding mating part on the Solar Panel:
Secure the cables in place using either a zip-tie or by slotting them into the cutouts in the bracket as shown above. You may need to adjust the upper part of the cable by tugging it throught the grommet near the top for a better fit.
At this point, the panel and battery are installed. However, the battery itself is not active until the M12 power output cable is connected at which point the battery will become activated.
Plug in to Sensor
Plug the M12 power output cable into the base of your QuantAQ air quality sensor which should natively accept the M12 connector.
Using with USB-C Sensor Models
If your QuantAQ air quality sensor has a 5V USB-C power input, you will need to use the 5V DC converter cable to interface with the Smart Solar Power System. Remove the protective sheet on the double-sided tape and secure the converter cable to the side of the battery. Plug the M12 cable into the M12 cable of the battery and plug the USB-C cable into your sensor.
Verify your Installation
At the base of the battery pack, there is a series of three LEDs that indicate the operational status of the panel and battery. Complete documentation of the error codes can be found in Section 4.2. If you are installing the system while it's light out, you should expect to see the following:
Green: either solid (System On, Not Charging) or flashing slow (Charging)
Amber: Solid (System On)
Red: Off
3. Maintenance
The frequency of maintenance for the Smart Solar Power System depends on your location and environment. We recommend the following maintenance schedule:
Manual Inspection
Quarterly
Inspect the system to ensure no cables are broken or damaged and the panel is intact (e.g., the glass isn't broken). If damage is present, please get in touch with support.
Panel Cleaning
Quarterly
Wipe down the Solar Panel with a damp cloth to remove any dust, dirt, or other debris.
4. Appendix
4.1 Dimensions
4.1.1 Panel Dimensions
The bounding box for the 25W solar panel is 507 mm x 307 mm x 30 mm.
4.1.2 Battery Dimensions
The bounding box for the battery is 100 mm x 237 mm x 104.2 mm.
4.1.3 Mounting Bracket Dimensions
4.2 LED Status Codes
The battery includes a 3-LED array indicating the solar power system's operational status.
Green
Solid
System On, Not Charging
Flashing Slow
Charging
Flashing Fast
MPPT/Optimized Charging
Amber
Solid
System On
Flashing Slow
Low Battery Voltage
Flashing Fast
Low Battery Protection
Red
Solid
No Output
Flashing Slow
Over Temperature Protection
Flashing Fast
Short Circuit / Overload Protection
Changelog
January 1st, 2025
This is the first release of this document.
Last updated
