Readiness report
IV Curve Tracer (Solar Cell) · 2026-07-19 16:56 · complete · 36 searches, 1 pages fetched
Cybersecurity — software & network: not checked
This report predates the cybersecurity (software & network) check, or the lab's snapshot doesn't record software dependencies yet.
Readiness: IV Curve Tracer (Solar Cell)
Verdict: Ready with caveats · 2026-07-19 · est. parts cost $175–$210
The lab is implementable, but requires sourcing two critical components (the power shunt and a precision resistor) from secondary distributors as they are out of stock at DigiKey. Most significantly, the primary project archive is missing the PC-side visualization software (Installer.zip); however, research indicates these files are likely available on the project's Instructables page. The primary relay is obsolete and requires a substitute. This is a cold-check baseline report.
Action required
| Part | Problem | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| 1461067-7 | Obsolete; 0 stock at distributors. | Use identified Omron substitute; verify footprint against PCB before ordering. |
| HS50 R82 J | Out of stock at DigiKey. | Purchase from Arrow (200 units) or Mouser (186 units). |
| MF1/4DCT52R2002F | Out of stock at DigiKey. | Use identified Yageo substitute (in stock). |
| FK20X7S1H106K | Not For New Designs (NFND). | Use identified TDK substitute (in stock). |
| FK18X7R1H104K | Not For New Designs (NFND). | Use identified Vishay substitute (in stock). |
Parts
Integrated Circuits and Semiconductors
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPA549S | 8A Op-Amp / TO-220-11 | Active | 188 | $34.44 | DigiKey |
| MCP4921-E/P | 12-Bit DAC / DIP-8 | Active | 487 | $2.81 | DigiKey |
| 2N3904BU | NPN Transistor / TO-92 | Active | 231,511 | $0.28 | DigiKey |
| 1N4004 | Gen Purp Diode / DO-41 | Active | 178,689 | $0.14 | DigiKey |
Resistors
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS50 R82 J | 0.82 Ω, 50 W / Chassis | Out of Stock | 0 | $5.20 | Arrow |
| MF1/4DCT52R1001F | 1 kΩ 1% / Axial | Active | 79,993 | $0.10 | DigiKey |
| MF1/4DCT52R3161F | 3.16 kΩ 1% / Axial | Active | 4,560 | $0.10 | DigiKey |
| MF1/4DCT52R2002F | 20 kΩ 1% / Axial | Out of Stock | 0 | — | DigiKey |
| MF1/4DCT52R1003F | 100 kΩ 1% / Axial | Active | 9,933 | $0.10 | DigiKey |
| MF1/4DCT52R3163F | 316 kΩ 1% / Axial | Active | 4,873 | $0.10 | DigiKey |
Capacitors
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPW1J101MPD | 100 µF, 50V / Radial | Active | 5,178 | $0.74 | DigiKey |
| FK20X7S1H106K | 10 µF, 50V / Radial | NFND | 141,750 | $1.24 | DigiKey |
| FK18X7R1H104K | 100 nF, 50V / Radial | NFND | 40,230 | $0.28 | DigiKey |
| FG18C0G1H100DNT06 | 10 pF, 50V / Radial | Active | 4,525 | $0.23 | DigiKey |
Electromechanical and Hardware
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1461067-7 | Relay 24VDC 10A / 5-pin | Obsolete | 0 | — | DigiKey |
| RA-T2X-64E | Heatsink / TO-220-11 | Active | 1,338 | $6.05 | DigiKey |
| LRS-200-24 | 24V 8.8A PSU / Enclosed | Active | 945 | $24.50 | DigiKey |
| OD9225-24HSS | 24V Fan / 92mm | Active | 161 | $9.97 | DigiKey |
| Arduino Uno R3 | MCU Board | Active | Yes | $26.30 | Arduino.cc |
| PRT-00553 | 0.1" Male Headers | Active | Yes | $0.30 | SparkFun |
| 1581-0 | Banana Jack (Black) | Active | 18,687 | $3.10 | DigiKey |
| 1581-2 | Banana Jack (Red) | Active | 8,740 | $3.10 | DigiKey |
| PG9 Gland | Cable Relief / Plastic | Active | Yes | $0.20 | Pixel Paradise |
| Clear Box | 6.5 Qt Shoe Box | Active | Yes | $5.97 | Walmart |
| M3/M4 Hardware | Assorted Fasteners | Active | Yes | ~$15.00 | General |
Substitutes
| For part | Substitute | Differences | Verified | Judgment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1461067-7 | G5LE-14 DC24 | Electrically identical (SPDT, 10A, 24VDC coil). | SPDT, 10A, 24VDC coil | Footprint match likely (standard sugar cube 19x15.5mm) but not verified. |
| MF1/4DCT52R2002F | MFR-25FBF52-20K | Parametric match. | 20 kΩ, 1%, 1/4W, Axial | Exact equivalent. |
| FK20X7S1H106K | FG20X7S1H106KRT06 | Parametric match. | 10 µF, 50V, X7S, Radial, 5.0mm lead spacing | Exact equivalent. |
| FK18X7R1H104K | K104K15X7RF5TL2 | Parametric match. | 100 nF, 50V, X7R, Radial, 2.5mm lead spacing | Exact equivalent. |
Instructors should verify any substitute against its datasheet before ordering.
Other dependencies
- PCB Fabrication: 2-layer board (approx. 69mm x 53mm). Gerber files (REVB) are provided and ready for manufacture.
- Firmware:
IVCurve4_27.inois not in the archive but is available on the project's Instructables page. - Software: PC-side visualization app (
Installer.zip) and source code (VSProject.zip) are missing from the primary archive. These must be retrieved from the project's Instructables (Step 12). - Libraries:
SPI.h(Standard) andDAC_MCP49xx(available via Arduino Library Manager) are required.
Watch list
- Relay K1: Footprint for the G5LE-14 substitute needs verification against the board file before bulk purchasing.
- Software Retrieval: Successful download and execution of the missing software from Instructables is the highest priority risk.
- Thermal Management: The OPA549S and HS50 resistor generate significant heat; thermal compound (Arctic Silver 5) application is critical.