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Clean looking sensor node

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Enclosures / 3D Printing
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  • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

    @NeverDie no, USPS are not ok with that. http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub52/pub52c6_004.htm#ep270347

    NeverDieN Offline
    NeverDieN Offline
    NeverDie
    Hero Member
    wrote on last edited by
    #66

    @mfalkvidd said:

    @NeverDie no, USPS are not ok with that. http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub52/pub52c6_004.htm#ep270347

    Not that it matters, but I wonder why is it acceptable for lithium batteries to be shipped installed in equipment, but unacceptable if not installed?

    mfalkviddM 1 Reply Last reply
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    • NeverDieN NeverDie

      @mfalkvidd said:

      @NeverDie no, USPS are not ok with that. http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub52/pub52c6_004.htm#ep270347

      Not that it matters, but I wonder why is it acceptable for lithium batteries to be shipped installed in equipment, but unacceptable if not installed?

      mfalkviddM Offline
      mfalkviddM Offline
      mfalkvidd
      Mod
      wrote on last edited by mfalkvidd
      #67

      @NeverDie my guess is that the rulemakers took a pragmatic approach. Banning batteries in equipment might have been too hard, which could have brought down the entire proposition. So they opted for rules that are less safe than total ban, but more safe than no rules at all.

      Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
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      • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

        @NeverDie my guess is that the rulemakers took a pragmatic approach. Banning batteries in equipment might have been too hard, which could have brought down the entire proposition. So they opted for rules that are less safe than total ban, but more safe than no rules at all.

        Nca78N Offline
        Nca78N Offline
        Nca78
        Hardware Contributor
        wrote on last edited by
        #68

        My two cents :D

        Batteries inside equipments are protected from shock by said equipment, shocks/bending beeing one of the main reasons for battery fires.

        It could also be related to the "density" of batteries. Having one battery burning inside an equipment will slow down the propagation of the fire and is relatively easy to deal with a fire estinguisher.
        Having a fire in one battery that will propagate to other batteries shipped together is a nightmare.

        But I'm surprised they apply this rule (that I thought were made to deal big rechargeable batteries) to a bunch of button cells

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        • NeverDieN Offline
          NeverDieN Offline
          NeverDie
          Hero Member
          wrote on last edited by NeverDie
          #69

          LOL. This is the ultimate catch-22: I can't mail the falsely advertised batteries back to China, even if I wanted to! The only way to do it would be to first install them in some equipment and then ship the equipment, but then they would be used batteries and no longer new, so the seller could refuse a refund on those grounds. Since returning them is impossible, maybe I can appeal to Ali Express for a refund without returning them. This is becoming entertaining.... A refund from Ali Express would almost cover the cost of shipping from Digikey.

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          • hekH Offline
            hekH Offline
            hek
            Admin
            wrote on last edited by
            #70

            They sent the wrong stuff. Opening a "case" will most probably get your money back.

            1 Reply Last reply
            1
            • Nca78N Offline
              Nca78N Offline
              Nca78
              Hardware Contributor
              wrote on last edited by
              #71

              I just received the white version and it's gorgeous ! Ordering bunch now to put everywhere in the house :D 0_1480503727105_IMAG1095_1.jpg

              NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
              4
              • Nca78N Nca78

                I just received the white version and it's gorgeous ! Ordering bunch now to put everywhere in the house :D 0_1480503727105_IMAG1095_1.jpg

                NeverDieN Offline
                NeverDieN Offline
                NeverDie
                Hero Member
                wrote on last edited by
                #72

                @Nca78
                Would you please post a link for the white ones? All I recall ever finding were the black ones.

                1 Reply Last reply
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                • Nca78N Offline
                  Nca78N Offline
                  Nca78
                  Hardware Contributor
                  wrote on last edited by Nca78
                  #73

                  Link is here but unfortunately it says "no more available" :(

                  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Factory-price-Qi-Wireless-Newest-Charger-for-iPhone-for-Samsung-Galaxy-S4-S5-Note3-for-Nexus/32637381497.html

                  Found some here at 3€ :
                  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Qi-Wireless-Newest-Charger-for-iPhone-Samsung-Galaxy-S3-S4-Note2-Nexus-All-free-shipping/32735986077.html

                  and here 3€38
                  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016-New-Fast-Charge-Qi-Wireless-Newest-Charger-for-Samsung-S4-S5-Note3-Cell-Phone-Accessories/32669922722.html

                  NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
                  1
                  • Nca78N Offline
                    Nca78N Offline
                    Nca78
                    Hardware Contributor
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #74

                    And same seller has one it seems, at 2€78, but only interesting if you buy 1 item to get free shipping, else the one at 3€ is cheaper as there's no limit in item count for free shipping option

                    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Best-Price-Qi-Wireless-Newest-Charger-for-iPhone-for-Samsung-Galaxy-S3-S4-Note2-for-Nexus/32647646301.html

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    1
                    • Nca78N Offline
                      Nca78N Offline
                      Nca78
                      Hardware Contributor
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #75

                      @NeverDie I found a good way to open them without any damages.
                      I have that cheap DIP chip extractor that's very bad at doing it's job, but it happens that it's the perfect size to fit in the vents at the bottom, if you put it inward and pull you can pop up the bottom cover easily.

                      I bought 10 white chargers from the "woweinew" shop for 30$ with China Post Registered Air Mail included after a few seconds of negociations.

                      I also found some SMD 7021 breakouts with only minimum components onboard, they are a bit more expensive but save some space in PCB surface and thickness. And no need to waste time removing and shorting the voltage regulator.
                      https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Industrial-High-Precision-Si7021-Humidity-Sensor-with-I2C-Interface-for-Arduino/32524005324.html

                      0_1480926902551_IMAG1103.jpg
                      0_1480926921179_IMAG1104.jpg

                      1 Reply Last reply
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                      • NeverDieN Offline
                        NeverDieN Offline
                        NeverDie
                        Hero Member
                        wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                        #76

                        Just FYI: it turns out you have to avoid exposing the si7021 sensor to high humidity (>80%) unless you turn its buiilt-in heater on--which, unfortunately, will drain a battery rather quickly. It's in the datasheet, but not as prominently as it should be. Therefore, going forward, I'm switching to the BME280, which costs more but appears not to have this issue. I do have some si7021's, but I think I'll probably only trust the temperature reading and consider the humidity reading as a rough gauge only.

                        Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • Nca78N Nca78

                          Link is here but unfortunately it says "no more available" :(

                          https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Factory-price-Qi-Wireless-Newest-Charger-for-iPhone-for-Samsung-Galaxy-S4-S5-Note3-for-Nexus/32637381497.html

                          Found some here at 3€ :
                          https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Qi-Wireless-Newest-Charger-for-iPhone-Samsung-Galaxy-S3-S4-Note2-Nexus-All-free-shipping/32735986077.html

                          and here 3€38
                          https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016-New-Fast-Charge-Qi-Wireless-Newest-Charger-for-Samsung-S4-S5-Note3-Cell-Phone-Accessories/32669922722.html

                          NeverDieN Offline
                          NeverDieN Offline
                          NeverDie
                          Hero Member
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #77

                          @Nca78 said:

                          Link is here but unfortunately it says "no more available" :(

                          https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Factory-price-Qi-Wireless-Newest-Charger-for-iPhone-for-Samsung-Galaxy-S4-S5-Note3-for-Nexus/32637381497.html

                          Found some here at 3€ :
                          https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Qi-Wireless-Newest-Charger-for-iPhone-Samsung-Galaxy-S3-S4-Note2-Nexus-All-free-shipping/32735986077.html

                          and here 3€38
                          https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016-New-Fast-Charge-Qi-Wireless-Newest-Charger-for-Samsung-S4-S5-Note3-Cell-Phone-Accessories/32669922722.html

                          The first link has them back in stock. I just now ordered one from them.

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • NeverDieN NeverDie

                            Just FYI: it turns out you have to avoid exposing the si7021 sensor to high humidity (>80%) unless you turn its buiilt-in heater on--which, unfortunately, will drain a battery rather quickly. It's in the datasheet, but not as prominently as it should be. Therefore, going forward, I'm switching to the BME280, which costs more but appears not to have this issue. I do have some si7021's, but I think I'll probably only trust the temperature reading and consider the humidity reading as a rough gauge only.

                            Nca78N Offline
                            Nca78N Offline
                            Nca78
                            Hardware Contributor
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #78

                            @NeverDie said:

                            Just FYI: it turns out you have to avoid exposing the si7021 sensor to high humidity (>80%) unless you turn its buiilt-in heater on--which, unfortunately, will drain a battery rather quickly. It's in the datasheet, but not as prominently as it should be. Therefore, going forward, I'm switching to the BME280, which costs more but appears not to have this issue. I do have some si7021's, but I think I'll probably only trust the temperature reading and consider the humidity reading as a rough gauge only.

                            Yes I have seen that but I wonder how much the "drift" really is. As long as the temperature is still precise (and it is from my observations) a drift in humidity measurement is acceptable, as long as it can still reflect changes. I've also ordered BME280 (6 pins version with no voltage regulator) from 2 different suppliers anyway, so I will be able to compare sensors side by side with every other part coming from the same batches.

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                            • NeverDieN Offline
                              NeverDieN Offline
                              NeverDie
                              Hero Member
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #79

                              Great. I'd be interested to hear of any conclusions you might reach from whatever comparisons you're able to perform.

                              1 Reply Last reply
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                              • Nca78N Offline
                                Nca78N Offline
                                Nca78
                                Hardware Contributor
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #80

                                At the moment I have still not received my BME280 sensors so I'm testing with the si7021 only.
                                For the first step I have put 3 of them on top on each others and checked their reported values over nearly one week.
                                I must say I'm very impressed by what I have seen at the moment, the maximum temperature span I have seen was 0.3°, and 3% for humidity.
                                Now I can confirm the sensors report the same values, I'll move one of them in the children's bathroom where it's supposed to have the maximum humidity exposure. If reported humidity is high enough (>90%) I'll leave it there for 2 weeks then move it back together with other sensors and see if it got a shift in humidity measurement.

                                0_1483759916469_IMAG1264.jpg

                                Typical display in Domoticz: very reproductible values between the 3 sensors.
                                0_1483760417947_TH_COMP.png

                                Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                                1
                                • NeverDieN Offline
                                  NeverDieN Offline
                                  NeverDie
                                  Hero Member
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #81

                                  Sounds like a good experiment.

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                                  0
                                  • Nca78N Offline
                                    Nca78N Offline
                                    Nca78
                                    Hardware Contributor
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #82

                                    So unfortunately when I started this test it was "dry" season so even in batchroom it didn't prove very conclusive.
                                    Had problem with battery life also due to bad settings + power cuts. Limitless reconnection time before going to sleep was fatal with 4h+ power cuts :)

                                    Just reprogrammed them today and put them back in place, 2 @1MHz with CR2016 and 1 @8MHz with CR2025.
                                    Rainy season is back and I have high humidity values on the 3 of them, 91% in bathroom right now so I should be able to run the test.

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                                    • hautomateH Offline
                                      hautomateH Offline
                                      hautomate
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #83

                                      These chargers are looking really good... Great job on this!

                                      Has anyone used these garden lights? They look like they'd be ready to go as a PIR/multi-sensor considering there's already a AA holder and plenty of room under the lens. Maybe they could be tucked up by the ceiling. It wouldn't quite be flush because of the sloping top, but it may not be bad.

                                      Searching around I see at least two different variations--one has a smoother, cleaner look to the lens and the other looks more "knobby." Some come with a battery and some do not.

                                      A bunch of lights

                                      With battery

                                      Without battery

                                      alt text
                                      alt text

                                      Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • hautomateH hautomate

                                        These chargers are looking really good... Great job on this!

                                        Has anyone used these garden lights? They look like they'd be ready to go as a PIR/multi-sensor considering there's already a AA holder and plenty of room under the lens. Maybe they could be tucked up by the ceiling. It wouldn't quite be flush because of the sloping top, but it may not be bad.

                                        Searching around I see at least two different variations--one has a smoother, cleaner look to the lens and the other looks more "knobby." Some come with a battery and some do not.

                                        A bunch of lights

                                        With battery

                                        Without battery

                                        alt text
                                        alt text

                                        Nca78N Offline
                                        Nca78N Offline
                                        Nca78
                                        Hardware Contributor
                                        wrote on last edited by Nca78
                                        #84

                                        @hautomate well it doesn't look so great imho.
                                        There's no space for PIR lens so you have to make one yourself, it looks like hard plastic and it won't be easy to drill without generating any cracks.
                                        No holes to put other types of sensors like temperature/humidity/... so same problem. In addition if you put it under the sun to charge, the temperature inside will not allow any measurement of this type.
                                        Charging circuit is primitive, it's probably the same IC than in the 1$ garden lights and it just puts voltage to the battery +/- without any control of voltage: not a good way to maintain a good health for the battery.

                                        So in the end you have a box that you need to modify to make it a sensor (except maybe a light sensor), you have a solar panel that provides a too low voltage so you need a step up converter, you have a charging circuit that's too bad to use and that in the end won't make the rechargeable battery last longer than 2 AA... Rather expensive for a plastic box :P

                                        hautomateH 1 Reply Last reply
                                        1
                                        • NeverDieN Offline
                                          NeverDieN Offline
                                          NeverDie
                                          Hero Member
                                          wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                                          #85

                                          Also, at least based on my experience with cheap Chinese solar garden lights, the battery connections (and probably a lot of other parts too) will rapidly corrode/rust and fail soon after. Sorry if that sounds negative, but I see nothing to suggest otherwise in this instance. So, if you do decide to try it anyway, I suggest you try just one and see how it handles your weather first.

                                          That said, my wife bought some solar garden lights at Costco earlier in the year, at about $8 each, and so far they're holding up and are working very well.
                                          However, in that case, you've got an institutional buyer (Costco) with an interest in quality handling the due diligence on build quality and with a very generous and easy return policy. On Aliexpress, that just doesn't exist.

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