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  3. Powering mote 24/7 using only a supercap and solar

Powering mote 24/7 using only a supercap and solar

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  • NeverDieN NeverDie

    @Ed1500

    Thanks for looking that up. I keep coming back to this one:
    https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/illinois-capacitor/106DCN2R7M/1572-1287-ND/5410638
    if only because it seems like a good value for money, and it seems able to run any mote for quite a long time.

    E Offline
    E Offline
    Ed1500
    wrote on last edited by
    #179

    @NeverDie 10F for 1.95 is definitely not bad... but not sure what the shipping would be

    NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
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    • E Ed1500

      @NeverDie 10F for 1.95 is definitely not bad... but not sure what the shipping would be

      NeverDieN Offline
      NeverDieN Offline
      NeverDie
      Hero Member
      wrote on last edited by
      #180

      @Ed1500

      Good point. I use first class mail from digikey, which arrives in 2 days and which costs around $3.65 I think. If you order before 8pm, it ships the same day. So for me, since I usually order late in the day, it's almost like it arrives in a day and a half. :) I don't think I would order just a single supercap from Digikey, unless I was getting a bunch of them, but as I'm ordering a lot of parts from Digikey anyway, the incremental shipping cost is typically free.

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      • NeverDieN NeverDie

        @Ed1500

        Good point. I use first class mail from digikey, which arrives in 2 days and which costs around $3.65 I think. If you order before 8pm, it ships the same day. So for me, since I usually order late in the day, it's almost like it arrives in a day and a half. :) I don't think I would order just a single supercap from Digikey, unless I was getting a bunch of them, but as I'm ordering a lot of parts from Digikey anyway, the incremental shipping cost is typically free.

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        E Offline
        Ed1500
        wrote on last edited by
        #181

        @NeverDie realise though it is 2.7 Volts

        sure, 3.65 is peanuts if you order a bunch.
        I see they have a branch in Netherlands as well. I would pay 1.81 euro for that capacitor.. but I would pay an unbelievable 18 euro shipping? Apparently because they still ship it from the USA. Also, need to answer a bunch of question what I am going to use it for, will i resell it etc. ... So I guess DigiKey is not a viable option for me

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        • Nca78N Offline
          Nca78N Offline
          Nca78
          Hardware Contributor
          wrote on last edited by
          #182

          Don't complain about your shipping costs from Digi-Key guys. These are the rates for me, insane ! :o

          0_1495469768303_digikey_shipping.png

          NeverDieN E 2 Replies Last reply
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          • NeverDieN Offline
            NeverDieN Offline
            NeverDie
            Hero Member
            wrote on last edited by NeverDie
            #183

            I should point out that even without a boost converter, I'm getting good charging indoors in most locations. I've been investigating boost converters just in case I want a node that's virtually bulletproof with respect to charging from low light conditions, or which needs to power 3.3v or 5v sensors. For instance, the banggood PIR sensor on the other thread requires between 2.7v and 3.3v to power it. It uses so little current though that it should be possible to power it continuously from even a solar node, so I'll be attempting that fairly soon. Obviously, doing it outdoors is nothing new and would be a piece of cake by comparison.

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            • Nca78N Nca78

              Don't complain about your shipping costs from Digi-Key guys. These are the rates for me, insane ! :o

              0_1495469768303_digikey_shipping.png

              NeverDieN Offline
              NeverDieN Offline
              NeverDie
              Hero Member
              wrote on last edited by NeverDie
              #184

              @Nca78

              Isn't there some place in Vietnam that stocks parts for re-sale so you don't have to order internationally and pay usurious shipping rates? Or is there just not enough demand to support that? Surely, China must have good options for you beyond just Aliexpress.

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              • Nca78N Nca78

                Don't complain about your shipping costs from Digi-Key guys. These are the rates for me, insane ! :o

                0_1495469768303_digikey_shipping.png

                E Offline
                E Offline
                Ed1500
                wrote on last edited by
                #185

                @Nca78 Wow. I guess you are a loyal Aliexpress customer :-)

                Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
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                • NeverDieN NeverDie

                  @Nca78

                  Isn't there some place in Vietnam that stocks parts for re-sale so you don't have to order internationally and pay usurious shipping rates? Or is there just not enough demand to support that? Surely, China must have good options for you beyond just Aliexpress.

                  E Offline
                  E Offline
                  Ed1500
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #186

                  @NeverDie Actually I had expected that for DigiKey Europe as well... but it says 'all shipping from USA'
                  Well, China also has Banggood ;-)

                  NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • gohanG Offline
                    gohanG Offline
                    gohan
                    Mod
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #187

                    I ordered the 5.5v 4F ones, I hope they arrive sooner or later

                    NeverDieN E 2 Replies Last reply
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                    • gohanG gohan

                      I ordered the 5.5v 4F ones, I hope they arrive sooner or later

                      NeverDieN Offline
                      NeverDieN Offline
                      NeverDie
                      Hero Member
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #188

                      @gohan said in Powering mote 24/7 using only a supercap and solar:

                      I ordered the 5.5v 4F ones, I hope they arrive sooner or later

                      That could be interesting. Do you have a link?

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                      • E Ed1500

                        @NeverDie Actually I had expected that for DigiKey Europe as well... but it says 'all shipping from USA'
                        Well, China also has Banggood ;-)

                        NeverDieN Offline
                        NeverDieN Offline
                        NeverDie
                        Hero Member
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #189

                        @Ed1500 said in Powering mote 24/7 using only a supercap and solar:

                        @NeverDie Actually I had expected that for DigiKey Europe as well... but it says 'all shipping from USA'

                        Well, Europe has a Mouser.com presence, I think. Plus, surely there's other stuff there, like in Germany or the UK or something.

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                        • gohanG gohan

                          I ordered the 5.5v 4F ones, I hope they arrive sooner or later

                          E Offline
                          E Offline
                          Ed1500
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #190

                          @gohan seen those for 15 USD/10 and for 6USD/5

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                          • gohanG Offline
                            gohanG Offline
                            gohan
                            Mod
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #191

                            https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2Pcs-Ultra-Capacitor-5-5v4f-Super-Capacitor-H-Style-for-Promotion-Now-Lowest-Price/32772347560.html

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                            • E Ed1500

                              @Nca78 Wow. I guess you are a loyal Aliexpress customer :-)

                              Nca78N Offline
                              Nca78N Offline
                              Nca78
                              Hardware Contributor
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #192

                              You are right @Ed1500, I receive so many shipments from AliExpress that now the postman is fed up with puting non-delivery notices in my mailbox, now he leaves the packages at the management office of my building, where they advance the tax for me when needed :)

                              @NeverDie yes I have some local shops, with very cheap delivery options, less than 1$ a;nd delivered the next day when they have stock. But unfortunately the inventory is pretty limited, I use them when the price difference is not worth the wait from AliExpress.

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                              • gohanG gohan

                                https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2Pcs-Ultra-Capacitor-5-5v4f-Super-Capacitor-H-Style-for-Promotion-Now-Lowest-Price/32772347560.html

                                E Offline
                                E Offline
                                Ed1500
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #193

                                @gohan yes, saw those. please keep us informed abt yr experience with those

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                                • NeverDieN NeverDie

                                  @Ed1500 said in Powering mote 24/7 using only a supercap and solar:

                                  @NeverDie Actually I had expected that for DigiKey Europe as well... but it says 'all shipping from USA'

                                  Well, Europe has a Mouser.com presence, I think. Plus, surely there's other stuff there, like in Germany or the UK or something.

                                  E Offline
                                  E Offline
                                  Ed1500
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #194

                                  @NeverDie Oh dont worry, plenty of local online shops here for electronic components plus distributors for adafruit and similar.
                                  However, I can order in china and have it delivered to my door often for less money than just the gas would cost me to drive to a local store, or to have it delivered from a local webstore.
                                  The only thing is that sometimes I have to wait 2-3-4 weeks

                                  1 Reply Last reply
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                                  • NeverDieN Offline
                                    NeverDieN Offline
                                    NeverDie
                                    Hero Member
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #195

                                    These look quite inexpensive:
                                    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/30-x-ultra-capacitor-2-7v3f/32570929215.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000023.15.qq5cZ7

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                                    • NeverDieN NeverDie

                                      These look quite inexpensive:
                                      https://www.aliexpress.com/item/30-x-ultra-capacitor-2-7v3f/32570929215.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000023.15.qq5cZ7

                                      E Offline
                                      E Offline
                                      Ed1500
                                      wrote on last edited by Ed1500
                                      #196

                                      @NeverDie indeed. but 2.7 Volt is a just a bit of a difficult value to work with and putting them in series makes the capacity drop, but I think one could run the attiny 13-25-45-85 from 1.8V so that might be a good combo

                                      NeverDieN 2 Replies Last reply
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                                      • E Ed1500

                                        @NeverDie indeed. but 2.7 Volt is a just a bit of a difficult value to work with and putting them in series makes the capacity drop, but I think one could run the attiny 13-25-45-85 from 1.8V so that might be a good combo

                                        NeverDieN Offline
                                        NeverDieN Offline
                                        NeverDie
                                        Hero Member
                                        wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                                        #197

                                        @Ed1500

                                        Or, maybe this then:
                                        https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Universal-Capacitors-Ultracapacitors-2-7V10F-super-capacitor-10F-2-7V-low-ESR-fast-charging-small-power/32688216790.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000013.4.G3WV1v&traffic_analysisId=recommend_2088_2_81019_new2&scm=1007.13339.81019.0&pvid=1ecf1af6-9158-4f9f-99ff-acaa16690ce2&tpp=1
                                        It's just a wild card as to whether they actually perform according to the advertised specs, though. That's why I think it's helpful if we all share what we're actually using, and whether it meets expectations or not.

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                                        • E Ed1500

                                          @NeverDie indeed. but 2.7 Volt is a just a bit of a difficult value to work with and putting them in series makes the capacity drop, but I think one could run the attiny 13-25-45-85 from 1.8V so that might be a good combo

                                          NeverDieN Offline
                                          NeverDieN Offline
                                          NeverDie
                                          Hero Member
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #198

                                          @Ed1500 said in Powering mote 24/7 using only a supercap and solar:

                                          @NeverDie indeed. but 2.7 Volt is a just a bit of a difficult value to work with and putting them in series makes the capacity drop, but I think one could run the attiny 13-25-45-85 from 1.8V so that might be a good combo

                                          Yeah, and the RFM69--which is what I use--runs as low as 1.8v as well, so it's possibly a good match.

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