George timmermans
  • About Me
    • Resume
    • Press releases
  • Blog
  • Projects
    • Long Range WiFi Link
    • Embedded Systems >
      • Photo Booth
      • Classroom VU meter
      • USB Media Controller
      • Weather Station
      • Arduino Swimming Pool Controller
      • GRBL Android Controller
      • Arduino Serial Driver
      • Arduino Multitasking
      • 8x8x8 LED Cube
      • Analog -> Digital Geiger Counter
    • 3D Printing >
      • Simplify3d Configuration
      • 3D print repairs
    • Home Brewing >
      • Mead Recipes >
        • Cinnamon Mead
        • Sweet Chili Mead
        • Lemon & Ginger Mead
        • Mead Liqueur
        • Honey Beer
      • Glühwein (Spiced Wine)
      • Limoncello
    • House
    • Toolmaking
    • Laser Cutting
  • Weather Cam
  • Contact

Solar Powered Stand Alone Cellular Weather Station

15/9/2015

3 Comments

 
Recently I had the change to talk to some of the Picton paragliders and received vary positive feedback for the weather station near the paragliding launchpad. I know they have multiple gliding sites around Marlborough which takes a fair bit of time to get to. And often when they arrive at one of those locations the flying conditions aren't as good as they had hoped for. So I decided to have a look what it would take to make a solar powered stand alone cellular weather station. Theoretically if everything comes together well they could be easily reproduced and quickly deployed on locations that have 2G coverage.

So why 2G? First off, I can't really on an ethernet or WiFi connections at the remote locations where these weather stations will be most likely deployed, Secondly Vodafone will support 2G at least till 2020. Also programming wise 2G is less complicated then 3G. So it might not be guaranteed future proof after 2020 but I have the feeling that components might have to be replaced after four years out in the NZ sun anyway (NZ has really high UV levels).

Solar power will be used to charge the batteries that will provide power for the weather station. Again this will be required because most locations won't have a power source readily available.

Here is a list of components I was looking into:
  • Teensy 3.1 microprocessor
  • Adafruit Fona Cellular Breakout
  • Lithium Ion Battery Pack 3.7V 6600mAh
  • Solar Panel 6V 3.4W




3 Comments
Adrian
12/5/2016 10:40:43 pm

Hi
Do you build the weather stations?

Adrian

Reply
George
12/5/2016 11:55:29 pm

Hello Adrian,

I have not build a solar powered weather station with a simcard myself yet but a similar weather station can be bought. http://www.weatherstations.co.uk/vantageconnect.htm
So far there hasn't been any interest and with the cost of importing individual components I'm afraid that people will be put off by the cost of such a system.

cheers,
George

Reply
paul
9/11/2016 05:08:46 pm

Hi, I'm very interested in these remote weather stations.

Please tell us more.

Paul

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    George Timmermans, Research Toolmaker, Software Engineer and Tinkerer

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Archives

    January 2021
    November 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    November 2019
    August 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015

    Categories

    All
    3d Printing
    Photobooth
    Wisp

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • About Me
    • Resume
    • Press releases
  • Blog
  • Projects
    • Long Range WiFi Link
    • Embedded Systems >
      • Photo Booth
      • Classroom VU meter
      • USB Media Controller
      • Weather Station
      • Arduino Swimming Pool Controller
      • GRBL Android Controller
      • Arduino Serial Driver
      • Arduino Multitasking
      • 8x8x8 LED Cube
      • Analog -> Digital Geiger Counter
    • 3D Printing >
      • Simplify3d Configuration
      • 3D print repairs
    • Home Brewing >
      • Mead Recipes >
        • Cinnamon Mead
        • Sweet Chili Mead
        • Lemon & Ginger Mead
        • Mead Liqueur
        • Honey Beer
      • Glühwein (Spiced Wine)
      • Limoncello
    • House
    • Toolmaking
    • Laser Cutting
  • Weather Cam
  • Contact