Solar Panels working
It's been a very challenging summer and it is almost August. I had planned to update my blog on daily basis but there was nothing really to report. My network has had challenges from atmospheric skip and from my customer re-arranging their antennas. I thought it was the hardware and then the software but after a fix here and a reboot there everything seems to work.
I have been having problems with the new projects, such that a lack of funds, no time, and my wife determining my priorities. I only have been spending a few hours a night on most of the projects.
Today, I was able to link up the 3 solar panels. I plugged it into my powerbox (high cycle 12v battery.) I was amazed when the charge light came on. I couldn't wait for the battery to complete the charged as I plug in one of my Out Door Unit (ODU) Mesh Box.
Yeap, it is working and charging the battery at the same time. I purchased 3 solar panels 30W 2amp each. One would have been enough to charge the battery; however, I need a second one to run the unit itself and third one for additonal power for winter operations. The sum will be 6 amp at 90W. I just hope it's enough to keep the unit running 24/7. My engineer friend thinks I need two batteries and thinking that as well. One battery may not have enough juice for the winter months.
The ODU take about 2 amps or less with 60W so again with the math it may be a little on the week side.
I felt like a little kid at Christmas time. I wanted to be sure the solar panels were working so I quickly install them and plug them into the battery (less than 5 minutes of work.) What is going to take time is to build a frame and mounting system. Building the frame or the housing for this solar power unit will take some time.
The current ODU unit has a very powerful power supply so I waiting for the low powered mesh box I'm building. The problem with this one was that he Morex power supply never work and I asked for a replacement. Then the PCI elbow didn't work with the radio card and the same friend is trying to "jerry rig it".
That's my summer. I should have some articles and pictures to you shortly.
I have been having problems with the new projects, such that a lack of funds, no time, and my wife determining my priorities. I only have been spending a few hours a night on most of the projects.
Today, I was able to link up the 3 solar panels. I plugged it into my powerbox (high cycle 12v battery.) I was amazed when the charge light came on. I couldn't wait for the battery to complete the charged as I plug in one of my Out Door Unit (ODU) Mesh Box.
Yeap, it is working and charging the battery at the same time. I purchased 3 solar panels 30W 2amp each. One would have been enough to charge the battery; however, I need a second one to run the unit itself and third one for additonal power for winter operations. The sum will be 6 amp at 90W. I just hope it's enough to keep the unit running 24/7. My engineer friend thinks I need two batteries and thinking that as well. One battery may not have enough juice for the winter months.
The ODU take about 2 amps or less with 60W so again with the math it may be a little on the week side.
I felt like a little kid at Christmas time. I wanted to be sure the solar panels were working so I quickly install them and plug them into the battery (less than 5 minutes of work.) What is going to take time is to build a frame and mounting system. Building the frame or the housing for this solar power unit will take some time.
The current ODU unit has a very powerful power supply so I waiting for the low powered mesh box I'm building. The problem with this one was that he Morex power supply never work and I asked for a replacement. Then the PCI elbow didn't work with the radio card and the same friend is trying to "jerry rig it".
That's my summer. I should have some articles and pictures to you shortly.
