Weather detector/solar charger/wind up/Weather Band Radio Idea

[steinklatre]

So my father-in-law is always up in the woods at his camp and I was thinking it would be a awesome to make him a little kit that could:

- Show him the way (LED light)
- Weather Band
- Lighting detector/pressures etc
- Provide power for his cell phone(or other device)
- Be self sufficient aka solar powered or windup.

Where do I get started!!! I am learning alot and I am having one hell of a time!

 

[davelectronic]

Hi steinklatre Welcome to the forum.
I am not totally sure, thats a fair bit in what needs to be a small package, i know retail versions exist, but as for building one, well i know you need to generate the power, its probably best if a regulator or charging circuit stores the power created, most of the retail hand held models incorporate the generator and battery all in one housing.

It would be doable but you need a generator probably geared up for slower crank winding but maximum power generated, then the storage part batterys and the regulator or charging circuit, then start on the other features, you want a mobile unit to walk around with, bit of a tall order, not impossible but not totally easy, a static unit would be far easier, i mean a unit built in a forest or camp house, hopefully a great out door wondering spirited member with more experience that me can step in to the thread, for some ideas on where you might find some of these components, as i am not sure even for a portable unit where to find the primary components.

 

[steinklatre]

Thanks Dave! I have been searching awhile for a good forum and right off the bat you replied! Always a great sign.

I understand now that you say it it would be quite the project to make compact. He is the type that unless it played music he probably would leave it on a window sill and it would stay there. So for power it probably could get away with just solar. My question comes into can I get enough power from a solar cell?

The commercial ones are nice but he appreciates a newbie with electronics. He's an old retired Lineman.

 

[davelectronic]

It probably could be solar, the lights not a problem. The phone charger bit is also not to hard. Weather band ? do you mean radio for listening in on stations forecast, not sure about the lightning detector part or the pressure censer, do you mean pressure weather, millibars etc, ive done a bit of scouting round, looking at members specialist topics areas since becoming a member, i hope he wont think me presumptuous but he does the whole meteorologist weather thing, i give him a mention, if i am out of line he can tell me to do one.

Anyway i think he would understand the circuitry needed for that bit, ok i am off to bed now its 02.00 hours uk time, the member i had in mind is Davenn, i know he does the whole weather thing, so i will read yours or other replys in a few hours, TTFN.

 

[steinklatre]

I saw a few projects mentioned on other sights about "lightening detectors" and as far as other weather sensors I am thinking barometric pressure etc. The weather band is what the boaters listen too. I had it in a SAAB awhile back, talked in a computer voice and said rain expected etc etc.

Night Dave

 

[steinklatre]

So I have discussed it a bit more with my mother in law. She says he will more than likely set it on the window sill up to camp and it will stay there or he will bring it down to the boat. So I was thinking tissue box to shoe box size.

 

[davelectronic]

Hi there again. There is very little more i can add, an solar array a small one and a battery storage system with regulator or charge circuit will do, the reasurch you do will complete this, that takes care of an led light source plus the phone charger, a radio receiver can also be built, although dependent on bands you want to cover, a more complex task, or opt for a retail receiver, again solar powered, but the weather barometer thing is not my thing, if the member i mentioned would have a look in and help.

 

[jackorocko]

You said in the woods! Well I don't know, but where I am from in the woods means little light penetration through the canopy and since you are in CT, I am gonna assume the forest are no different then they are here. Solar in my opinion would be a waste of your energy. Now, if these woods are on the side of a hill or up in elevation wind power would more then likely be the better option.

With that said, you will spend $200 - 400 dollars just to setup a wind powered grid. Wind generators can be costly, even the smaller ones. You will need to mount it high to make sure it has "clean air". Most wind generators don't start creating power till at the minimum 3 mph, bigger the generator the faster the wind needs to be. For either wind or solar you will need a charge controller and batteries capable of running your equipment for a length yet to be determined.

I can't comment on the other 2 components you want, but if you are thinking this is gonna be a xmas gift, you will have your hands busy just getting the power grid going by then.

 

[steinklatre]

Jackorocko its in the woods but on a jetty and the cabin gets plenty of sunshine. He doesn't want power up there so building a grid is no go.

 

[davelectronic]

A solar array is portable if made that way, but so can a small wind turbine be made portable, small sailing craft often use wind or solar for additional power. you need to research one or the other, the power is primary before you can start adding electricals, you need to work out a few variables, sun light hours / wind average condition, power generated, then small scale storage of the produced power, once you know power you can produce over a given time frame you can work out lights, radio, and any other connected kit for operating times, before power diminishes and dips low.

Or time constraints.

PS, You might find some ideas in here.

http://www.reuk.co.uk/

There must be similar sites for the US.