Skycam setup Provisioning the Skycam

andrewn
New Member

Posts: 4

Skycam setup Provisioning the Skycam Nov 29, 2021 16:52:08 GMT -8

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Post by andrewn on Nov 29, 2021 16:52:08 GMT -8

Hi there
Reading v1.1 of the Weather sense Skycam manual - Section on Provisioning the Skycam -Page 19

Step 1 - This is a little confusing
As the instructions already had indicated to plug the LiPo battery onto the board and ensure the switch is off
I have turned the switch to ON - I had purchased the LiPo battery from the PiShop.ca to the specs listed in the manual
The SunAir plus board does not show an LED until I place the solar panel close to a Light source?
I do not see any Light source on the CAM BOARD?
Can someone assist here please?
Maybe a better photo or show with a circle where am I supposed to see a light
Also, how do I know the battery is working/charged? How can I check? It is brand new from the store

thanks
Andrew

update, the battery is charged as I checked the connection on the board with a multimeter and its showing 3.7v at the point where the battery plug connects to the board
But NO light is showing on the board when switched on?

Last Edit: Nov 29, 2021 17:24:39 GMT -8 by andrewn: updated Information

SDL
Global Moderator

Posts: 5,655
Raspberry Pi: Yes
Other Device: PC, arduino, beagleBone

Skycam setup Provisioning the Skycam Nov 30, 2021 9:09:39 GMT -8

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Post by SDL on Nov 30, 2021 9:09:39 GMT -8

Andrewn,

Please post a picture of the battery. We want to make sure that you have a properly wired battery. Most batteries off Amazon and other places are wired background. See the warnings in the manual.

Yes, the red light coming on the SunAirPlus3 board near a light makes sense.

The SunAirPlus board has a hysteresis detection circuit on the board (to protect the battery and the SkyCam device). It turns off at ~3.2V and on at ~3.7V. I would guess that your battery is not charged enough to turn on the board yet.

So, unplug the SkyCam from the SunAirPlus board, plug in the battery and plug the Micro USB connector into a charger and let it charge over night. Repeat the test then.

I'm almost positive this is your problem.

BP

andrewn
New Member

Posts: 4

Skycam setup Provisioning the Skycam Nov 30, 2021 16:03:08 GMT -8

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Post by andrewn on Nov 30, 2021 16:03:08 GMT -8

Good evening
Thanks for the reply
I have attached photos of the battery
It was purchased through PiShop.ca and not via Amazon

Hope this helps and I will complete the steps you have advised and update you
I await any comments related to the battery

thank you
Andrew

doxidad
Senior Member

Posts: 272
Raspberry Pi: Yes

Skycam setup Provisioning the Skycam Nov 30, 2021 17:29:53 GMT -8

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Post by doxidad on Nov 30, 2021 17:29:53 GMT -8

Polarity of the battery wires look correct.

I'd plug a charger (phone, tablet, kindle or whatever you happen to have) into the micro USB connector on the sun air board and let it charge overnight with the switch turned off. You should see a red LED light up and it will go out and a green LED will light up when the battery is fully charged.

SDL Global Moderator Posts: 5,655 Raspberry Pi: Yes Other Device: PC, arduino, beagleBone	Skycam setup Provisioning the Skycam Nov 30, 2021 18:14:55 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by SDL on Nov 30, 2021 18:14:55 GMT -8 Yes! Looks right to me! Just being careful. So many of these cheap batteries are wired wrong. I agree with doxidad! BP

andrewn
New Member

Posts: 4

Skycam setup Provisioning the Skycam Dec 3, 2021 13:05:09 GMT -8

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Post by andrewn on Dec 3, 2021 13:05:09 GMT -8

Hello
Well I have followed the directions
The battery was left connected to the SunAir board, the CAM board was disconnected
I connected to the USB connection on the board to a charger and a RED LED came on
Note: The switch on the board was in the OFF position
At 48hrs the RED LED is dimly lit
No Green light is showing
The battery is reading 3.61 volts
i connect the camera to the board and turn on the switch
No lights come on?

I dont understand now what is going on

Appreciate some feedback here

doxidad Senior Member Posts: 272 Raspberry Pi: Yes	Skycam setup Provisioning the Skycam Dec 3, 2021 13:07:15 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by doxidad on Dec 3, 2021 13:07:15 GMT -8 FYI - Fully charged battery is about 4.2V.

SDL Global Moderator Posts: 5,655 Raspberry Pi: Yes Other Device: PC, arduino, beagleBone	Skycam setup Provisioning the Skycam Dec 5, 2021 18:28:32 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by SDL on Dec 5, 2021 18:28:32 GMT -8 If your battery is not over ~3.7V, the SunAirPlus3 board will not turn on. Charge the battery up further. How are you charging the board? BP

andrewn
New Member

Posts: 4

Skycam setup Provisioning the Skycam Dec 7, 2021 15:51:53 GMT -8

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Post by andrewn on Dec 7, 2021 15:51:53 GMT -8

Hi good evening
As i explained in my earlier post
The battery is connected to the Sun Air board.
The power switch is OFF
I have the USB port on the board connected to a power adapter
The board shows a faint LED RED light and it has NOT switched to green in several days

Appreciate any further guidance here
thanks
Andrew

SDL Global Moderator Posts: 5,655 Raspberry Pi: Yes Other Device: PC, arduino, beagleBone	Skycam setup Provisioning the Skycam Dec 9, 2021 15:29:55 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by SDL on Dec 9, 2021 15:29:55 GMT -8 Could you measure the voltage on the battery? Say tonight and then wait 12 hours and do it again? BP

Post by andrewn on Nov 29, 2021 16:52:08 GMT -8

Post by SDL on Nov 30, 2021 9:09:39 GMT -8

Post by andrewn on Nov 30, 2021 16:03:08 GMT -8

Post by doxidad on Nov 30, 2021 17:29:53 GMT -8

Post by SDL on Nov 30, 2021 18:14:55 GMT -8

Post by andrewn on Dec 3, 2021 13:05:09 GMT -8

Post by doxidad on Dec 3, 2021 13:07:15 GMT -8

Post by SDL on Dec 5, 2021 18:28:32 GMT -8

Post by andrewn on Dec 7, 2021 15:51:53 GMT -8

Post by SDL on Dec 9, 2021 15:29:55 GMT -8

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