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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

    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.

    E Offline
    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

                        E 1 Reply Last reply
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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

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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.

                                      E 1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • NeverDieN NeverDie

                                        @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.

                                        E Offline
                                        E Offline
                                        Ed1500
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #199

                                        @NeverDie 10F now we are talking. But yes I very well understood yr request to share experience. I acn only say thet the 1.5 F's i had performed well and with an RC network thrown together, they seemed in the right ballparc... but apparently seller now sells 1F and I cant vouch for those

                                        The supercap is still a very viable alternative for smaller devices, so I will probably buy more in future and thus interested in which ones are good or not

                                        1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • NeverDieN NeverDie

                                          @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.

                                          E Offline
                                          E Offline
                                          Ed1500
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #200

                                          @NeverDie ah yes it does, but the RFM is usually connected to a microcontroller :-) So that is limited choice
                                          i wonder if 1.8 Volt would seriously affect the range of the RFM69 (running mine from 3.3)

                                          NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
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