Design and Construction of Solar Powered Computer Control System for Electrical Machines and Spark Ignition Systems

Abstract

In this project we designed a solar powered computer control system 

for electrical machines and spark ignition engines. It is made up of a 

hardware device that comprises of various electrical components 

which are powered by a 25W solar panel. The power cord of the 

machines are modified and connected to the hardware and the 

hardware is in turn connected to a laptop computer using a USB cord. 

The machines are controlled from the laptop computer using special 

software developed in the course of this project. The software 

program comprises of buttons and check boxes that can be clicked 

and checked respectively to issue switching commands to the 

hardware for control of connected appliances. The software program 

was written using visual basic.net, an event driven programming 

language, and this software is responsible for establishing connection 

between the operating system of the computer and the hardware, 

and also for the entire operation of the hardware.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page I 

Certification II

Dedication III

Acknowledgement IV

List of Figures V

Abstract VII 

Table of contents VIII 

CHAPTER 1

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Objectives of the project 2

1.2 Design scope 2

1.3 Methodology 3

CHAPTER 2

2.0 Literature Review 4

2.1 Evolution Of Automation Systems 4 

2.2 Elements Of Automation Systems 5

2.2.1 Controllers 6

2.2.2 Sensors 6

2.2.3 Actuators 7

2.4 Automation System Architecture 8

2.4 Automation Systems Inter – Connection 8

2.5 Application Of Automation Systems 9

2.6 Types Of Controllers 10

2.6.1 Ultrasonic Controllers 11

2.6.2 Infrared Controller 11

2.6.3 Mechanical Controller 12

2.6.4 Radio Controller 12

2.6.5 PC Based Controller 13

2.7 PC interfacing 13

CHAPTER 3

3.0 Hardware Design and Analysis 15

3.1 Specifications 16

3.2 Electronic Component Description 16

3.1.1 8 Channel USB GPIO Module with 6 Analog Inputs 16

3.2.2 Optocoupler (4n35) 18

3.2.3 ULN2803A Darlington Driver I.C 18

3.2.4 Zener Diode 19

3.2.5 T90 Relays 19

3.2.6 Solar Panel 20

3.3 Selection of Solar Panel and Device Operating Time 21

CHAPTER 4

4.0 Construction And Implementation 24

4.1 The making of the printed circuit board (PCB) 25

4.1.2 Etching 27

4.1.3 Drilling 28

4.2 Software Engineering 29

4.3 Dominator 31

4.4 System’s Implementation 42

4.4.1 Setting Up A New Laptop for the Control System 42

4.4.2 Installing Drivers 43

4.4.3 Installing The Software 47

4.5 Software Analysis And Control 48

4.6 Testing Analysis 50

4.6.1 Pre Implementation Testing 51

4.6.2 Post Implementation Testing 51

CHAPTER 5

5.0 Conclusion and Recommendation 52 

REFERENCES 54

APPENDIX 56