IDEAS FOR THE PROTOTYPE OF THE LAWN MOWER

Before this, in FYP degree semester 1, I come out with several ideas for my FYP project. I decided to use Solar panel with high voltage because I decide to use battery high voltage and use real lawn mower. After decide to do the prototype of solar lawn mower, I decide to use below component to do the prototype:

 Above solar panel is high voltage. So, it can collect more energy from the sun to turn on the lawn mower. But now we do for the prototype, so I decide to use solar panel 12Volt for my project.

Above solar panel are suitable to the battery that I will use. The battery that i will be use is 12 Volt. so here, I don't need transformer or buck boost to step up the voltage. By my research, if we use transformer to step up the voltage, we will reduce al little bit their current. So, I think, my using this battery is the best choice for my project. Before this, I decide to use rechargeable battery like car battery like below :

Then I will use below battery for the prototype:

This battery can support the voltage that needed for my circuit of solar powered lawn mower. 

Beside that, I need another parts or component to complete the project such as PIC16F877A (microcontroller) , IC socket , capacitor , LED , LCD , resistor , switch and etc. For the capacitor and resistor, the value of it are still in research because we need to construct first the circuit and try it in the breadboard. For the LCD, LCD are planned to show the battery voltage and solar voltage. Below is the LCD that will be use.

For the LED, if stop button pressed, system will set to stop mode, red LED turn on and grass cutter will stop.

So, above is the ideas for the prototype for the solar powered lawn mower. For the first step for doing this project, i will buy first this all main component. For the next entry, i will state the next research for my project.

WHAT NEXT AFTER PRESENTATION DAY FYP DEGREE SEM 1?

After presentation day degree semester 1,  I got a lot of comments and recommendation from the assessors. after discuss with my supervisor, I come out with the new ideas for my FYP.  For my project, I will do the prototype for SOLAR POWERED LAWN MOWER. Why I come out with this idea because:

1. I need to create a prototype in order to test the product and get any bugs before final release.

2. With the prototype model, it can reduce the budget for testing while doing the project. 

3. Gives the opportunity to demonstrate my idea to potential buyers, get their feedback and perhaps improve the product.

4. Encourage investment because they can see it in action and it will be easier for anybody wishing to provide funding, to better understand the value of the product

5. Ability to explore a key idea quickly for the product.

because of above reason, I decide to do the prototype model for my FYP project :)

WORK PLAN

Below is the work plan for my FYP

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this project “Solar Powered Charged Lawn Mower/Grass Cutter” is to design lawn mowers which:

• 1.      Is a solar powered charged lawn mower which is very friendly to our environment.
• 2.   To help human deal with the day.
• 3.   To investigate ways of controlling the lawn mower during movement, charging and to   combine our knowledge in microcontroller.
• 4.    Reduce rate of accident