GroveWeatherPi to solar with new board

mikethechap
Junior Member

Posts: 57

GroveWeatherPi to solar with new board Aug 15, 2017 4:14:04 GMT -8 via mobile

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Post by mikethechap on Aug 15, 2017 4:14:04 GMT -8

Hi. I've been running the GroveWeatherPi for about two months now without any solar control or WXLink board. We had a ton of rain recently and the code improvements for the rain sensor were reflected (as far as I can tell) in the results. So, thanks.

I want to upgrade from my current line-powered single enclosure to a two enclosure approach: the GroveWeatherPi in one location on line power - minus the wind/rain components; the second location measuring wind/rain moved about 50' away and using solar + WXLink. The new location will communicate to the first location. Am I understanding this right?

This will allow me to better locate the Weather Rack sensors for wind speed reporting, etc. I supported the new solar board on Kickstarter and now have it in my lab (my kitchen island -my wife is ever so grateful). What is my upgrade path? I think there are others who have similar questions.

I imagine I need:

1) the WXLink kit (2 Mini Pro LP;
WXLINK WR board; RTC board: 2 Grove RF Serial boards);
2) the solar cells (which I already have);
3) battery (already have);
4) Multi Solar Connector Board (I want to have dependable power).

Can I simply remove the present Weather Rack Board on my current GroveWeatherPi enclosure to my WXLink enclosure? What do I need to do with respect to software to use the new solar board on the upgraded system in the new box.

SDL
Global Moderator

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

GroveWeatherPi to solar with new board Aug 15, 2017 17:59:08 GMT -8

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Post by SDL on Aug 15, 2017 17:59:08 GMT -8

Yes, you have the perfect list!

You remove the WeatherRack plugs form the GroveWEatherPi to the WXLink Enclosuere. And the AM23t5.

The new solar board is 100% compatible with the WXLink kit.

When you have added the RX Mini Pro to GWP, GWP will pick it up and start using it.

BP

mikethechap
Junior Member

Posts: 57

GroveWeatherPi to solar with new board Aug 16, 2017 3:12:27 GMT -8 via mobile

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Post by mikethechap on Aug 16, 2017 3:12:27 GMT -8

One further question. How does the RTC on the WXLink board get the initial time? If I read your setup sheet right, communication with the WXLINK is two-way capable, but at this time only programmed to work one-way. So, where does it get it's time?

Thanks for your answer and help.

Mike D.
PS Looking at the recent post on the solar tracking experiments, does the new solar board have the capability to do solar tracking or do I need the new solar board + the SunAir Plus? In other words, how would I take advantage of solar tracking using the new solar board, if it's even possible?

Last Edit: Aug 16, 2017 3:38:03 GMT -8 by mikethechap

SDL
Global Moderator

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

GroveWeatherPi to solar with new board Aug 16, 2017 7:36:57 GMT -8

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Post by SDL on Aug 16, 2017 7:36:57 GMT -8

Mike D,

I wouldn't even use the RTC on the WXLink board (unless you are writing the software yourself). We found that using as an interrupt source would hang every couple of weeks, where letting the WXLink free cycle (about every 30 seconds), it works for months and months (currently it has been running for 200,096 samples).

We would recommend just pulling out the RTC.

IF you want to set the time, download an RTC DS3231 program, set the time and then reload the Rx software. In WXLink, the RTC clock doesn't really need to know the real time, it just needs to interrupt the processor every 30 seconds.

Regarding the solar tracking project, the tracking is done by the stepper motor and the time. There is no feedback from light detection circuits. SunControl will work just fine with the project described. If you know your latitude and the time of day, you know where the sun is.

If you want to track the Sun with LDRs, then SunAirPlus does have support for that built in (as well as a space for a stepper motor driver)

BP

mikethechap Junior Member Posts: 57	GroveWeatherPi to solar with new board Aug 18, 2017 4:05:08 GMT -8 via mobile SDL likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by mikethechap on Aug 18, 2017 4:05:08 GMT -8 Thank you, again. I'll not use the RTC, as you suggested. And, I'll look forward to watching fir more details about the solar cell motors, etc. Mike D.

Post by mikethechap on Aug 15, 2017 4:14:04 GMT -8

Post by SDL on Aug 15, 2017 17:59:08 GMT -8

Post by mikethechap on Aug 16, 2017 3:12:27 GMT -8

Post by SDL on Aug 16, 2017 7:36:57 GMT -8

Post by mikethechap on Aug 18, 2017 4:05:08 GMT -8

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