Wildeye Support
Wildeye Support
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Solar Power

Optimal Solar Panel Setup

For Wildeye rechargeable dataloggers

A correctly specified and installed solar panel keeps a rechargeable Wildeye topped up year-round, even through winter's shorter days and lower sun angle. Follow the guidance below for a reliable, low-maintenance install.

Recommended panel

  • Use a 5W, 12V-nominal solar panel — this is the standard Wildeye recommends for continuous power in typical field deployments.

  • We recommend the Wildeye ACC-SOLBRACKET-JC-5W solar panel and mounting bracket. It combines the panel and bracket in one rugged, aluminium unit with a fixed 45° tilt, built-in antenna mount, and bird spikes to prevent roosting. Full specifications: Wildeye 5W Solar Panel & Bracket

Installation

  • Tilt: mount at 45° from horizontal, facing the sun — south in the Northern Hemisphere, north in the Southern Hemisphere.

  • Height: mount as high as practically possible. Trees, posts, and other objects that don't shade the panel in summer can still shade it through winter, when the sun sits lower in the sky — height is the best protection against this.

  • Connection: plug the panel directly into the Wildeye's waterproof M8 connector. Do not introduce any cable joins between the panel and the logger — every joint is a potential water ingress point.

Minimum charging voltage

The Wildeye requires a minimum of 7V to charge. The solar panel must produce at least this voltage at the logger for adequate charging to occur.

An external voltage reading of 7V or less at the Wildeye means no significant charging is taking place (There may be a very small charge current, but usually not enough to sustain normal operation).

Diagnosing charging issues

If a panel isn't charging as expected, run these three tests in order:

Test

Setup

Expected result

1. Open-circuit voltage

Disconnect the Wildeye. Measure voltage directly across the panel's output leads.

≈ 19–21V

2. Short-circuit current

Set the multimeter to Current mode and connect it across the panel's output leads.

≈ 200–300mA

3. Loaded voltage

Connect a 100Ω resistor across the panel's output leads and measure voltage across it.

≈ 12–15V

Results outside these ranges typically point to a faulty panel, a damaged cable, or a wiring fault. Contact Wildeye support if the issue persists.