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  3. Clean looking sensor node

Clean looking sensor node

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Enclosures / 3D Printing
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  • Nca78N Offline
    Nca78N Offline
    Nca78
    Hardware Contributor
    wrote on last edited by
    #34

    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 :)
    0_1477804585063_IMAG1032.jpg

    NeverDieN 2 Replies Last reply
    1
    • NeverDieN NeverDie

      @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:

      Cliff KarlssonC Offline
      Cliff KarlssonC Offline
      Cliff Karlsson
      wrote on last edited by
      #35

      I really like the pcb´s you are using @NeverDie, is it possible to buy them anywhere?

      NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
      1
      • Cliff KarlssonC Cliff Karlsson

        I really like the pcb´s you are using @NeverDie, is it possible to buy them anywhere?

        NeverDieN Offline
        NeverDieN Offline
        NeverDie
        Hero Member
        wrote on last edited by NeverDie
        #36

        @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.

        Cliff KarlssonC 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • NeverDieN NeverDie

          @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.

          Cliff KarlssonC Offline
          Cliff KarlssonC Offline
          Cliff Karlsson
          wrote on last edited by
          #37

          @NeverDie
          Ok, but is the PCB availible at OSHpark or is the files availble for sharing?

          NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • Nca78N Nca78

            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 :)
            0_1477804585063_IMAG1032.jpg

            NeverDieN Offline
            NeverDieN Offline
            NeverDie
            Hero Member
            wrote on last edited by
            #38

            @Nca78

            Are you sure there's space for the coincell holder? The case is pretty thin. I ordered some tabbed coincells, but am still waiting for them to arrive.

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • Cliff KarlssonC Cliff Karlsson

              @NeverDie
              Ok, but is the PCB availible at OSHpark or is the files availble for sharing?

              NeverDieN Offline
              NeverDieN Offline
              NeverDie
              Hero Member
              wrote on last edited by
              #39

              @Cliff-Karlsson
              Maybe later. I'm still improving the design.

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • Nca78N Nca78

                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 :)
                0_1477804585063_IMAG1032.jpg

                NeverDieN Offline
                NeverDieN Offline
                NeverDie
                Hero Member
                wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                #40

                @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:
                0_1477927911055_smallTH_case.jpg
                I haven't attached the TH sensor yet because I've run out of them, but I'm pretty sure it will fit. :wink:

                1 Reply Last reply
                2
                • NeverDieN Offline
                  NeverDieN Offline
                  NeverDie
                  Hero Member
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #41

                  @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?

                  Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • NeverDieN NeverDie

                    So, here's an example of such a $1 solar garden light:
                    0_1476307502239_solar1.jpg

                    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:
                    0_1476307640950_solar2.jpg

                    Here's the flip side with the guts removed:
                    0_1476307687952_solar3.jpg

                    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.

                    NeverDieN Offline
                    NeverDieN Offline
                    NeverDie
                    Hero Member
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #42

                    @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.

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    1
                    • NeverDieN NeverDie

                      @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?

                      Nca78N Offline
                      Nca78N Offline
                      Nca78
                      Hardware Contributor
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #43

                      @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 ;)

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      1
                      • NeverDieN Offline
                        NeverDieN Offline
                        NeverDie
                        Hero Member
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #44

                        I received the Q8 wireless charging pad (above):
                        http://www.ebay.com/itm/Q8-QI-Wireless-Charging-Pad-2-USB-Port-Splitter-HUB-Charger-Pad-For-Phone-F5/301913729117?_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D39345%26meid%3Decb1959e8f164eb5ad0a17aeaa297f59%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D252485416371

                        However, it is even thinner than the OP's vented puck, and it's about double the square inches of foot print. So I don't see any real advantage to them.

                        Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • NeverDieN Offline
                          NeverDieN Offline
                          NeverDie
                          Hero Member
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #45

                          For a thicker case, Amazon Dot looks like it might be very nice:
                          alt text
                          A bit pricey though!

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • NeverDieN NeverDie

                            I received the Q8 wireless charging pad (above):
                            http://www.ebay.com/itm/Q8-QI-Wireless-Charging-Pad-2-USB-Port-Splitter-HUB-Charger-Pad-For-Phone-F5/301913729117?_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D39345%26meid%3Decb1959e8f164eb5ad0a17aeaa297f59%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D252485416371

                            However, it is even thinner than the OP's vented puck, and it's about double the square inches of foot print. So I don't see any real advantage to them.

                            Nca78N Offline
                            Nca78N Offline
                            Nca78
                            Hardware Contributor
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #46

                            @NeverDie said:

                            I received the Q8 wireless charging pad (above):
                            http://www.ebay.com/itm/Q8-QI-Wireless-Charging-Pad-2-USB-Port-Splitter-HUB-Charger-Pad-For-Phone-F5/301913729117?_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D39345%26meid%3Decb1959e8f164eb5ad0a17aeaa297f59%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D252485416371

                            However, it is even thinner than the OP's vented puck, and it's about double the square inches of foot print. So I don't see any real advantage to them.

                            I have ordered one also (In fact two as aliexpress payment messed up and asked me to process payment again, but few days after I realized the "failed" payment was in fact processed and sellers were sending everything twice...).
                            I'm planning to use one as gateway box with wemos d1 mini and smd pa/lna NRF24 side by side. Any chance it will fit this type of ESP board inside or it's too thin and I should go for ESP12 module instead ?

                            NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • Nca78N Nca78

                              @NeverDie said:

                              I received the Q8 wireless charging pad (above):
                              http://www.ebay.com/itm/Q8-QI-Wireless-Charging-Pad-2-USB-Port-Splitter-HUB-Charger-Pad-For-Phone-F5/301913729117?_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D39345%26meid%3Decb1959e8f164eb5ad0a17aeaa297f59%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D252485416371

                              However, it is even thinner than the OP's vented puck, and it's about double the square inches of foot print. So I don't see any real advantage to them.

                              I have ordered one also (In fact two as aliexpress payment messed up and asked me to process payment again, but few days after I realized the "failed" payment was in fact processed and sellers were sending everything twice...).
                              I'm planning to use one as gateway box with wemos d1 mini and smd pa/lna NRF24 side by side. Any chance it will fit this type of ESP board inside or it's too thin and I should go for ESP12 module instead ?

                              NeverDieN Offline
                              NeverDieN Offline
                              NeverDie
                              Hero Member
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #47

                              @Nca78 said:

                              @NeverDie said:

                              I received the Q8 wireless charging pad (above):
                              http://www.ebay.com/itm/Q8-QI-Wireless-Charging-Pad-2-USB-Port-Splitter-HUB-Charger-Pad-For-Phone-F5/301913729117?_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D39345%26meid%3Decb1959e8f164eb5ad0a17aeaa297f59%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D252485416371

                              However, it is even thinner than the OP's vented puck, and it's about double the square inches of foot print. So I don't see any real advantage to them.

                              I have ordered one also (In fact two as aliexpress payment messed up and asked me to process payment again, but few days after I realized the "failed" payment was in fact processed and sellers were sending everything twice...).
                              I'm planning to use one as gateway box with wemos d1 mini and smd pa/lna NRF24 side by side. Any chance it will fit this type of ESP board inside or it's too thin and I should go for ESP12 module instead ?

                              I just now measured the D1Mini, and it's about 6.7mm thick. If you removed the USB connector, it would be thinner.

                              I haven't opened the QB wireless pad, so I don't know how much depth is available. However, the case itself is 8.5mm thick. In comparison, I measure the case thickness of your OP puck as 11.7mm.

                              Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • NeverDieN NeverDie

                                @Nca78 said:

                                @NeverDie said:

                                I received the Q8 wireless charging pad (above):
                                http://www.ebay.com/itm/Q8-QI-Wireless-Charging-Pad-2-USB-Port-Splitter-HUB-Charger-Pad-For-Phone-F5/301913729117?_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D39345%26meid%3Decb1959e8f164eb5ad0a17aeaa297f59%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D252485416371

                                However, it is even thinner than the OP's vented puck, and it's about double the square inches of foot print. So I don't see any real advantage to them.

                                I have ordered one also (In fact two as aliexpress payment messed up and asked me to process payment again, but few days after I realized the "failed" payment was in fact processed and sellers were sending everything twice...).
                                I'm planning to use one as gateway box with wemos d1 mini and smd pa/lna NRF24 side by side. Any chance it will fit this type of ESP board inside or it's too thin and I should go for ESP12 module instead ?

                                I just now measured the D1Mini, and it's about 6.7mm thick. If you removed the USB connector, it would be thinner.

                                I haven't opened the QB wireless pad, so I don't know how much depth is available. However, the case itself is 8.5mm thick. In comparison, I measure the case thickness of your OP puck as 11.7mm.

                                Nca78N Offline
                                Nca78N Offline
                                Nca78
                                Hardware Contributor
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #48

                                @NeverDie said:

                                I haven't opened the QB wireless pad, so I don't know how much depth is available. However, the case itself is 8.5mm thick. In comparison, I measure the case thickness of your OP puck as 11.7mm.

                                Thank you. Sounds like it won't fit :(
                                For Amazon Dot yes it looks great, but 50$ is a bit too expensive for a case :D

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • NeverDieN Offline
                                  NeverDieN Offline
                                  NeverDie
                                  Hero Member
                                  wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                                  #49

                                  I notice that Kalia made his own uniquely shaped enclosure that he 3D printed himself:
                                  alt text
                                  (for more detail see his posts under: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1566/mysensors-sensebender-micro-3dp-case/18)

                                  I'm not yet savvy about 3D printers, but from what I've been reading lately the line artifacts in the plastic may vary in how prominent they are depending on the quality of the software slicer that's used to produce the g-code that's sent to the 3D printer. Still, I'm not sure to what extent it's avoidable or just a reality of 3D prints. Would such line artifacts always be visible, regardless of which printer or software produced it?

                                  In any event, I like the way Kali molded the battery holder into the case itself. Very clever!

                                  mfalkviddM 1 Reply Last reply
                                  1
                                  • NeverDieN NeverDie

                                    I notice that Kalia made his own uniquely shaped enclosure that he 3D printed himself:
                                    alt text
                                    (for more detail see his posts under: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1566/mysensors-sensebender-micro-3dp-case/18)

                                    I'm not yet savvy about 3D printers, but from what I've been reading lately the line artifacts in the plastic may vary in how prominent they are depending on the quality of the software slicer that's used to produce the g-code that's sent to the 3D printer. Still, I'm not sure to what extent it's avoidable or just a reality of 3D prints. Would such line artifacts always be visible, regardless of which printer or software produced it?

                                    In any event, I like the way Kali molded the battery holder into the case itself. Very clever!

                                    mfalkviddM Offline
                                    mfalkviddM Offline
                                    mfalkvidd
                                    Mod
                                    wrote on last edited by mfalkvidd
                                    #50

                                    @NeverDie the lines will be more or less visible depending on layer height (which varies by 3d printer model) but can easily be made totally smooth. See this video

                                    https://youtu.be/h2lm6FuaAWI

                                    NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
                                    3
                                    • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

                                      @NeverDie the lines will be more or less visible depending on layer height (which varies by 3d printer model) but can easily be made totally smooth. See this video

                                      https://youtu.be/h2lm6FuaAWI

                                      NeverDieN Offline
                                      NeverDieN Offline
                                      NeverDie
                                      Hero Member
                                      wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                                      #51

                                      @mfalkvidd said:

                                      @NeverDie the lines will be more or less visible depending on layer height (which varies by 3d printer model) but can easily be made totally smooth. See this video

                                      https://youtu.be/h2lm6FuaAWI

                                      Funny that in the video the demonstrator uses a polypropylene chamber, as I'm pretty sure acetone will strongly react with it. Aside from that, though, it was a good video. Thanks for posting it!

                                      He seems to imply this acetone vapor chamber approach only works on ABS printed models. Is that correct?

                                      Also, what must the 3D printer's layer height be for the lines to no longer be visible (without resorting to acetone vapors)?

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • NeverDieN Offline
                                        NeverDieN Offline
                                        NeverDie
                                        Hero Member
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #52

                                        Looks as though my small TH mote will have no problem fitting inside the OP's enclosure:
                                        0_1479357125114_TH_enclosure.jpg

                                        I can also configure my medium TH mote to also fit. The enclosure is too thin to accomodate AAA batteries, but I should be receiving the button cell batteries from China very soon.

                                        Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • NeverDieN NeverDie

                                          Looks as though my small TH mote will have no problem fitting inside the OP's enclosure:
                                          0_1479357125114_TH_enclosure.jpg

                                          I can also configure my medium TH mote to also fit. The enclosure is too thin to accomodate AAA batteries, but I should be receiving the button cell batteries from China very soon.

                                          Nca78N Offline
                                          Nca78N Offline
                                          Nca78
                                          Hardware Contributor
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #53

                                          @NeverDie said:

                                          Looks as though my small TH mote will have no problem fitting inside the OP's enclosure:
                                          0_1479357125114_TH_enclosure.jpg

                                          I can also configure my medium TH mote to also fit. The enclosure is too thin to accomodate AAA batteries, but I should be receiving the button cell batteries from China very soon.

                                          Don't forget a capacitor parrallel to the button cell battery if you want it to last more than a few days ;)

                                          NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
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