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 The primary relay is obsolete and requires a substitute.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.ino is 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) and DAC_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.