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Oli
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There are numerous topics out there about powering Raspis from batteries or from solar or just making a waterproof enclosure... But I'm a programmer, not an electrician. I would end up plugging the flux capacitor into the manifold, blowing up the matrix. I think we can all agree: Nobody wants that.

Is there anything out there for sale that does all three?

Long story short, I want to stick a Pi in with our chickens so I can see when they're laying and when they're pecking at their eggs. The hutch is pretty waterproof but I wouldn't trust it for a moment. There's also no mains there.

I'd be looking for something that can survive the elements, contains its own regulated power pack for the pi, a camera and a wifi dongle to run 24/7 and has a way to charge it that doesn't involve any mains power. Ideally a solar trickle charge in the daytime via a fat panel on top of the hutch.

Does such a thing exist?

Edit: The comments are getting a bit tangled as people go off on tangents about the various parts of this problem. I am not adverse to breaking this into smaller segments but they do have to be geared towards somebody who doesn't understand the difference between Amperes, ohms, watts and volts.

So let's break this into two things

  • Power and charging

    What about a 44Ah 12V silver/lead battery, solar panel and a cigar-lighter socket with a USB adaptor? Is there any chance the Pi's going to get fried sitting behind that sort of circuit? How long is 44Ah@12V going to last? What sort of panel size am I going to need to keep it going indefinitely (consider the unearthly grey of UK winter)?

  • Enclosure

    Is a little IP66 box going to do the job? It's meant for outdoor junctions but the Pi will fit in it and all its "inputs" are rubberised silicone seals.

There are numerous topics out there about powering Raspis from batteries or from solar or just making a waterproof enclosure... But I'm a programmer, not an electrician. I would end up plugging the flux capacitor into the manifold, blowing up the matrix. I think we can all agree: Nobody wants that.

Is there anything out there for sale that does all three?

Long story short, I want to stick a Pi in with our chickens so I can see when they're laying and when they're pecking at their eggs. The hutch is pretty waterproof but I wouldn't trust it for a moment. There's also no mains there.

I'd be looking for something that can survive the elements, contains its own regulated power pack for the pi, a camera and a wifi dongle to run 24/7 and has a way to charge it that doesn't involve any mains power. Ideally a solar trickle charge in the daytime via a fat panel on top of the hutch.

Does such a thing exist?

There are numerous topics out there about powering Raspis from batteries or from solar or just making a waterproof enclosure... But I'm a programmer, not an electrician. I would end up plugging the flux capacitor into the manifold, blowing up the matrix. I think we can all agree: Nobody wants that.

Is there anything out there for sale that does all three?

Long story short, I want to stick a Pi in with our chickens so I can see when they're laying and when they're pecking at their eggs. The hutch is pretty waterproof but I wouldn't trust it for a moment. There's also no mains there.

I'd be looking for something that can survive the elements, contains its own regulated power pack for the pi, a camera and a wifi dongle to run 24/7 and has a way to charge it that doesn't involve any mains power. Ideally a solar trickle charge in the daytime via a fat panel on top of the hutch.

Does such a thing exist?

Edit: The comments are getting a bit tangled as people go off on tangents about the various parts of this problem. I am not adverse to breaking this into smaller segments but they do have to be geared towards somebody who doesn't understand the difference between Amperes, ohms, watts and volts.

So let's break this into two things

  • Power and charging

    What about a 44Ah 12V silver/lead battery, solar panel and a cigar-lighter socket with a USB adaptor? Is there any chance the Pi's going to get fried sitting behind that sort of circuit? How long is 44Ah@12V going to last? What sort of panel size am I going to need to keep it going indefinitely (consider the unearthly grey of UK winter)?

  • Enclosure

    Is a little IP66 box going to do the job? It's meant for outdoor junctions but the Pi will fit in it and all its "inputs" are rubberised silicone seals.

Tweeted twitter.com/#!/StackRaspi/status/334261325171654657
Source Link
Oli
  • 493
  • 5
  • 11

Waterproof solar battery enclosure for my Pi?

There are numerous topics out there about powering Raspis from batteries or from solar or just making a waterproof enclosure... But I'm a programmer, not an electrician. I would end up plugging the flux capacitor into the manifold, blowing up the matrix. I think we can all agree: Nobody wants that.

Is there anything out there for sale that does all three?

Long story short, I want to stick a Pi in with our chickens so I can see when they're laying and when they're pecking at their eggs. The hutch is pretty waterproof but I wouldn't trust it for a moment. There's also no mains there.

I'd be looking for something that can survive the elements, contains its own regulated power pack for the pi, a camera and a wifi dongle to run 24/7 and has a way to charge it that doesn't involve any mains power. Ideally a solar trickle charge in the daytime via a fat panel on top of the hutch.

Does such a thing exist?