Dear Friends,

I am NOT proficient in electronic matters, and so I am taking it slow and
easy, hobby like. Anyway, As I usually give my free time to a non profit
organization down over here (I am in Uruguay, South America) named PROFAUNA,
I proposed the addition of electronics / Pics to some of current Profauna's
projects. 

One very interesting project involves distribution of solar cooking ovens
among our country people. I designed a PIC 16f690 based system which
displays in a 2x16 LCD such information as cooking time, real time
temperature and also the mean temperature received among the whole cooking
lapse, a truly needed aid among solar cooking oven users. 

It works fine, being powered by 4 AA batteries. Problem is: I wanted a 100%
ecological / very non serviceable / autonomous solution (at least to show
off as an interesting achievement) so I bought 5 SOLAR PANELS (each one said
to give 1 volt / 400 mah). Previously, I measured my circuit, and it used
5volts & less than 10mah.

Problem is: I measure the solar panels (connected in series) and they give
me in eccess of 5volts under direct hard sun. I plug the panels to my system
and NOTHING HAPPENS. I plug the batteries and it works fine.

I think it might be the necessary startup power (is there a PEAK ?) ...

Any measurement / corrections / indications / advise and or ideas is
welcome. I am planning to buy a 

Artesyn Technologies DC/DC Converters Non-Isolated Point of Load
15W 0.59-5.1V 3A Vertical Mount 
http://www.artesyn.com/media/pdfs/ldo03c.pdf

In order to place between the solar panels and my system. Is this a good
idea ?

Regards,

Enrique.

P.d. I am placing my whole system (circuit design, software) in the public
domain, as I think it will be good for other people to work with and improve
upon.


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