A solar panel… but why?
La last week, I assembled some prototypes of this new Pioupiou.
Honestly, it was very boring. But that's how I realized that there were still plenty of changes to make to simplify production. Because if we want to make 1 or 000 pioupious, we will have to optimize the process a little bit.
So I gave the question a lot of thought. In particular, there is a very constraining element: the solar panel. For lots of reasons.
Already, because you have to find a panel of good quality, at the right size. Then, because they have to be integrated into the design of the case. Then it has to be waterproof, durable, there has to be sunshine, and all kinds of other stuff. Not to mention that you need wires, soldering, etc. In short, it's not that simple.
I imagined lots of solutions, and also lots of problems it could cause. Like if we make a transparent case and put the panel inside, it simplifies the sealing. But at the same time, once there is condensation in the box, the panels won't work anymore...
Anyway. I had another idea: what if we didn't install solar panels? It seemed a little crazy. And then I did the math − just to see. The result is super cool: in fact Pioupiou consumes so little that you don't even need to recharge it!
So we remove the batteries, the solar panels and the charging circuit, and we put a battery a bit bigger:
And theoretically, with that we have 4 years of autonomy 🙂 Well, that's the theory. In reality, I think we can rather expect 2 or 3 years.
The first thing we say to ourselves is, yes, but it will be boring to change the battery ". But this is a false problem, which we would have had anyway with rechargeable batteries. Even with solar panels, the battery would have aged and would have had to be changed from time to time. Take a look at your iPhone: how long does it hold a charge after a year?
The difference is that Pioupiou's battery will be much easier to change than an iPhone battery. It will be the story of two screws − and presto. In addition, Pioupiou will warn you at least one month in advance when it detects that the battery is starting to weaken. That way, no nasty surprises.
Brief. I think this solution is worth trying.
9 thoughts on “ A solar panel… but why? »
And why not recharge the battery with the propeller?
+ 1 for recharging by the propeller… to see if it's possible.
If the consumption is so low, indeed. And if it is stronger, why not take a wind measurement every X seconds and spend the rest of the time recharging…. Or vice versa ?
Whether you recharge by a panel or by the propeller, the problem of the battery is the same 😉
On the other hand, if it needs annual maintenance at the Pioupiou, there's no need to have a big battery...
Robert
Battery or accumulator, it's not the same thing, I seem to remember? If battery no charger.
We're starting to talk about pioupiou on the ULM lists, I'm going to try to convince the club to get started.
An intervention once a year to change the batteries ==> no worries, the windsocks don't last much longer...
D@niel
-1 for recharging by the propeller: this would involve a disengageable dynamo mechanism so as not to influence the measurement (especially in light winds), and in my opinion this is neither realistic nor achievable. And by induction I fear that the weight of the magnets on the axis of the propeller is also problematic.
Why not the solar panel on the tail??
Have you considered supercapacitors?
They allow an almost unlimited number of charge/discharge cycles.
Of course, you have to find a solar panel that is both small and durable.
FYI, this solution is used on ultrasonic anemometers/vanes used in the navy (http://www.radio-ocean.com/crbst_26.html).