Clean looking sensor node
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Looking at the containers in our pantry here, I notice a lot of them have lids that, though they lack "bottoms", in many respects look a lot like the generic "puck" shape of the OP. For something that sits on a table top, you'd never know it doesn't have a bottom. These would be entirely free, because as my family here uses up a container, we invariably just throw it out. :-)
@Nca78 said:
I just today received an all white version of this (purchased it from ebay), but I wouldn't recommend it (well, at least not this color). The case itself is all white, which is what I wanted, but the silicon ring embedded in it is more of a cream color, and so it ruins the look by making it look old and/or dirty. It doesn't look like the photo on the web page. Also, as perhaps the OP pointed out, there are no vent holes, though they could be drilled.
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Here's another one, but this one I like. For a sense of scale, I photographed it with my large TH sensor sitting on top:
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You're receiving thing pretty quickly (as you received the PCB in less than 2 weeks, too), you're lucky !
I have no problem with the white ring on mine, it's not the same color than the plastic but it's not looking bad to me. Maybe different model, maybe a question of taste ;)
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You're receiving thing pretty quickly (as you received the PCB in less than 2 weeks, too), you're lucky !
I have no problem with the white ring on mine, it's not the same color than the plastic but it's not looking bad to me. Maybe different model, maybe a question of taste ;)
@Nca78
What do you think of the black one above? Thumbs up or thumbs down? I was surprised at the way it photographed. On the sides it's actually the same glossy black color as it is on top, but its so glossy that when I photographed it (with a flash) you're actually seeing a reflection of the white tabletop that it's sitting on. Similarly, you can also see a reflection of the white antenna on the glossy black portion on the top (though not in the matted black top area).The things I received yesterday were shipped domestically. It still takes a long time to get things if they're shipped from China.
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In the spirit of KISS, I think in most instances the following might work well for me:
My smallest wireless node can fit inside the case along with 2x AAA batteries positioned to produce 3V, and the case already has an exposed switch to turn it on/off. Total case size is relatively small, around: 6.2 x 4.8 x 1.5cm / 2.4" x 1.9" x 0.6"(LWH)
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I'll definitely order this and the AA version too, to check.
In the worse case it can be used for hidden node. It should fit a dedicated PCB even with pro mini as long as the radio is SMD to be flat enough. -
Newbie here.
I have used battery casing for sensebender & DC DC step up converter (2.5v to 5v).
Have to do a bit of filing & swapping of battery contacts and drill hole for sensebender.
Attach photos.
Yup, your photo captures the notion of what I'm planning to do:
My original inspiration for it came from this:
http://johan.kanflo.com/the-aaduino/
which I might have done, except that I prefer the RFM69HW, which I don't think would fit in just one battery slot very easily. -
Yup, your photo captures the notion of what I'm planning to do:
My original inspiration for it came from this:
http://johan.kanflo.com/the-aaduino/
which I might have done, except that I prefer the RFM69HW, which I don't think would fit in just one battery slot very easily.@NeverDie
Here I just received the black "pucK' sensor case that was shown in the OP. Pretty fast considering it was free delivery using China Post. So far I like it the best because it has the air vents already a part of it. :smiley: -
That's why I selected it, best suited for temp sensor.
Just received the first version of the PCB but it will need some improvements.
But looks like it will work, not too bad for my first PCB ever :)
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@NeverDie
Here I just received the black "pucK' sensor case that was shown in the OP. Pretty fast considering it was free delivery using China Post. So far I like it the best because it has the air vents already a part of it. :smiley: -
I really like the pcb´s you are using @NeverDie, is it possible to buy them anywhere?
@Cliff-Karlsson said:
I really like the pcb´s you are using @NeverDie, is it possible to buy them anywhere?
I'm just doing this for fun. If you want to buy something pre-made, I'd suggest buying a Moteino.
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@Cliff-Karlsson said:
I really like the pcb´s you are using @NeverDie, is it possible to buy them anywhere?
I'm just doing this for fun. If you want to buy something pre-made, I'd suggest buying a Moteino.
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That's why I selected it, best suited for temp sensor.
Just received the first version of the PCB but it will need some improvements.
But looks like it will work, not too bad for my first PCB ever :)
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@NeverDie
Ok, but is the PCB availible at OSHpark or is the files availble for sharing?@Cliff-Karlsson
Maybe later. I'm still improving the design. -
That's why I selected it, best suited for temp sensor.
Just received the first version of the PCB but it will need some improvements.
But looks like it will work, not too bad for my first PCB ever :)
@Nca78 said:
That's why I selected it, best suited for temp sensor.
Just received the first version of the PCB but it will need some improvements.
But looks like it will work, not too bad for my first PCB ever :)Here's a newer evolution of my small TH node that includes a co-planar antenna. So, no long monopole antenna sticking out of the case. :smile:
I haven't attached the TH sensor yet because I've run out of them, but I'm pretty sure it will fit. :wink: -
@nca78
What's the best way to remove the cover on this thing? Do I just go for it with a pry tool, or is there a special trick to it?I'm hopeful it will fit a CR2477 tabbed battery, but it would likely be a very close fit if it does. In case it doesn't, have you come across any options that are a bit thicker?
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So, here's an example of such a $1 solar garden light:
Don't buy them for outdoor use, although that's what they're sold for. They'll rapidly corrode in wet weather and then cease to function. However, that shouldn't be a problem indoors.
Demounting the solar puck, it looks like this:
Here's the flip side with the guts removed:
Inside I put one of my RFM69HW temp-RH nodes. As you can hopefully see, there is room to spare.
These close-up photos probably make the puck look larger than it is. It is just 2-1/4" in diameter and 1-1/8" tall.
What do you think? Would it have good WAF? This one is a bit crufty because it was outside for about a year, and then I plucked it for these photos. When brand new they look more clean and polished, and so perhaps if kept indoors they would stay that way.
One possible concern with this particular example is that it has a metal band around it. That's not so ideal for an RF node, but it may not matter, as I tested the PCB node (just by itself, without the solar puck) within a closed refrigerator and still got adequate signal from it.
@NeverDie said:
One possible concern with this particular example is that it has a metal band around it. That's not so ideal for an RF node, but it may not matter, as I tested the PCB node (just by itself, without the solar puck) within a closed refrigerator and still got adequate signal from it.
I tried running one of my nodes inside the solar puck that has the metal band (above). It's maybe a few dB worse, but the link budget is large enough that it just doesn't really matter. So, I think it remains a viable option as an enclosure for thicker nodes that don't easily fit inside the OP's thinner recharger puck.
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@nca78
What's the best way to remove the cover on this thing? Do I just go for it with a pry tool, or is there a special trick to it?I'm hopeful it will fit a CR2477 tabbed battery, but it would likely be a very close fit if it does. In case it doesn't, have you come across any options that are a bit thicker?
@NeverDie said:
@nca78
What's the best way to remove the cover on this thing? Do I just go for it with a pry tool, or is there a special trick to it?I'm hopeful it will fit a CR2477 tabbed battery, but it would likely be a very close fit if it does. In case it doesn't, have you come across any options that are a bit thicker?
Sorry no magic solution to open :)
For the cell it should fit a 2477 but you need a thin PCB + thin holder.
Box is 10.6mm high minus 1.2mm thickness for the cover and 0.8mm PCB it leaves you with 8.6mm. 2477 is 7.7mm so you have 1mm left, not much but I think just enough if you use basic holder that's just made of a folded metal sheet.
But for such a basic sensor you would not need such a huge cell, CR2032 should last a very long time already, and 2450 could match your need of extra long lifetime and at the same time easily fit in the box. If your sketch is programmed correctly by the time a 2450 is dead the sensor will probably have become completely off because of aging ;)
