Author Topic: Small Solar  (Read 3446 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline frackers

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 239
  • Karma: +9/-0
  • If it moves - computerise it!
Small Solar
« on: June 26, 2017, 03:54:09 am »
This weather station started out life as a battery powered wireless WS2315 from LaCrosse Technology  some 15 years ago. A nearby lightning strike fried the outdoor unit so I bought another complete setup (which was cheaper than getting spares). I now had 2 indoor consoles and one outdoor unit. That second one also got fried so I re-implemented it using an Arduino Nano clone, the original wind and rain sendors, a 1-wire temperature gauge (DS18B20) and a humidity sensor, also connected it with 1-wire via a DS2438.

As I'll be moving the power source (i.e. wind turbine etc) but wishing to leave the weather station where it is, I needed alternate power!! Here is what I came up with.

18650 lithium cell (Panasonic MH12210), a USB to lithium charger module, a 6V 1W thin film solar cell, a Nano clone, a DHT22 temperature & humidity sensor and again the original wind and rain sensors. A 433MHz OOK (On Off Keyed) transmit module sends the data back to the house.

http://gilks.ath.cx/gallery3/Building-a-PJ-inverter/weather
7519-0
The whole thing is enclosed in a Stevenson screen made from plastic flowerpot saucers. These are stacked, upside down and spaced 15mm apart. The solar cell sits on the top and the whole thing is on a pole 2m above ground level.
7521-1
http://gilks.ath.cx/gallery3/Building-a-PJ-inverter/IMG_5661

All of the saucers, apart from the top one, have a hole in the middle to create a cavity for the PCB.
7523-2
http://gilks.ath.cx/gallery3/Building-a-PJ-inverter/IMG_5663

The aim of the experiment was to see if I could power an Arduino class device 24/7, over winter, from a small cheap solar source and without having to expend a lot of effort in power saving (there is none!!)

The result is a success. Now I know what to use to power a bunch of moisture sensors I'm designing to cover the walnut orchard.

Parts used were as follows:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pcs-DHT22-digital-temperature-and-humidity-sensor-Temperature-and-humidity-module-AM2302-replace-SHT11-SHT15/32316040087.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Hot-Mini-1W-6V-Solar-Cell-Polycrystalline-Solar-Panel-Solar-Module-DIY-Solar-Charger-Education-Kis/32601151584.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-10Pcs-lot-5V-1A-Micro-USB-18650-Lithium-Battery-Charging-Board-Charger-Module-Protection-Dual/32241665995.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-5PCS-Nano-3-0-controller-compatible-for-arduino-nano-CH340-USB-driver-NO-CABLE/32255758692.html

The bits I already had from the original weather station
http://shop.lacrossetechnology.com.au/ws2300-16-la-crosse-rain-bucket-sensor.html
http://shop.lacrossetechnology.com.au/tx20-la-crosse-wind-anemometer-with-direction.html

Sorry about the image links - gave up with trying to upload them and getting multiple error 500.
Robin Down Under (or are you Up Over!)

Offline welshman

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 136
  • Karma: +6/-1
Re: Small Solar
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2017, 03:59:08 am »
fascinating experiment. all from 6v and 1 watts.

Offline DJ

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 82
  • Karma: +5/-1
Re: Small Solar
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2017, 09:24:24 pm »

Just curious but what made you choose that solar cell?

I see on alli they have either much more powerful panels of the same voltage at a much cheaper price or the same output panels for a buck and a half rather than the $30 you paid for this one. For the price, if  1W panel did the job, I'd be putting 2-4 on just for good measure!  :0)

What is the "endurance" time of your battery in bad weather when there would be no charge from the panel?

I was watching a Vid last night where I guy built an RC plane, much like a powered glider that used solar panels and a battery in the quest for unlimited flight time. He had some teething problems and eventually worked out that the thing was better off withought the battery because it allowed the panels to supply more power to the motor.

Pretty cool being able to launch your plane in the morning and still be flying it hours later and with all the auto piolt features and guidence they have for the things now, you could put it up there then let it fly itself.

These little panels sure are allowing for a whole heap of standalone applications!

Offline frackers

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 239
  • Karma: +9/-0
  • If it moves - computerise it!
Re: Small Solar
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2017, 06:44:10 pm »

Just curious but what made you choose that solar cell?

I see on alli they have either much more powerful panels of the same voltage at a much cheaper price or the same output panels for a buck and a half rather than the $30 you paid for this one. For the price, if  1W panel did the job, I'd be putting 2-4 on just for good measure!  :0)
That price was for 10 of them  ;)

The ones I actually used (which were $23 for 10) I can't find any more - these were the closest I could see with a quick scan of the Ali site.
Robin Down Under (or are you Up Over!)

Offline lindsay

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 1
  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Small Solar
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2017, 06:22:55 pm »
Hi, I suggest you to contact [MOD EDIT - Spam removed] for best reply to your query.

Thanks

Offline frackers

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 239
  • Karma: +9/-0
  • If it moves - computerise it!
Re: Small Solar
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2017, 10:48:08 pm »
Hi, I suggest you to contact [MOD EDIT - Spam removed] for best reply to your query.

What query?
Far as I can see [MOD EDIT - Name removed for completeness] is about 14500 km from me so not exactly on my doorstep!!
Robin Down Under (or are you Up Over!)

Offline frackers

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 239
  • Karma: +9/-0
  • If it moves - computerise it!
Re: Small Solar
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2018, 03:20:25 am »
8 months in and the solar panel output has dropped to the point where its not charging the lithium cell any more so the whole thing drops out in the middle of the night!!

I think thick film panels like this are not up to the very intense radiation we get here in NZ (UV index often over 10) so I'm going to try putting a glass plate over the panel to protect it from excesses during the summer.

Perhaps just as well I bought 10 of them!!
Robin Down Under (or are you Up Over!)

Offline Wolvenar

  • Senior Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 1474
  • Karma: +40/-0
  • Mr. Murphys pawn
Re: Small Solar
« Reply #7 on: April 27, 2018, 12:47:26 am »
Any chance you can share the code?
Specifically whatever the protocol is to talk back to the base.

I have recently been wanting to fix the same issue but caused by ice building up on our sensor.
The sun would melt snow higher in tree limbs, water dripped from above and re freezing on the sensor, breaking it and the cover I had over it.

So far have not done anything since it's a bit more time to work that out than I am willing to invest at the moment.
Then I remembered this post and figured there is the time savings I am looking for.
 ;D
Trying to make power from alternative energy any which way I can.
Just to abuse what I make. (and run this site)

Offline frackers

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 239
  • Karma: +9/-0
  • If it moves - computerise it!
Re: Small Solar
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2018, 03:51:02 am »
The code is on github.
https://github.com/g8ecj/bertos/tree/g8ecj/all/boards/arduino/examples
It uses my BeRtos branch and its the Arduino_WxTx and Arduino_WxRx directories. The project are built using the same method as for my turbine controller (look up a few levels on github).
Robin Down Under (or are you Up Over!)