Open leidentech opened 2 days ago
tjallingk
commented
2 days ago i am sorry to hear that. i will keep it in mind when mounting mine. how was it placed directly in water? on the back or with the antenna pointing to the sky? also you could try getting an replacement inductor and mounting that one. see the pcb/scematics for values.
leidentech
commented
2 days ago It was flat with the antenna on a windowsill so it was somewhat protected but I guess not enough. It looks like water got in via the holes in the sensor pipe. I guess it should be mounted vertical to prevent that. I could get a replacement inductor but I'm guessing that's not the only problem now. The inductor has no more smoke to give and now the pcb is heating up so I'm going to shelve it and move on.
Logic-7E8
commented
2 days ago What's the possibility of getting a new PCB? Looks the case was less than waterproof last night and if I try to charge the board now I see magic smoke coming from the L2 Power Inductor.
Send an E-mail to "info"at"fhi.nl" and explain the situation.
dutchmendesign
commented
1 day ago Yes, mine was moist too. It is a nice housing but out of the box it is designed to stand flat on the ground, not to hang vertically in the outside. I've put it back inside for now.
Logic-7E8
commented
1 day ago Well, it's a gadget and not meant to be an fully commercial product.
With that said, the casing itself does not have an IP rating and we all know that when water enters an electronic device, it can cause corrosion, oxidation, and rust, the damage can be immediate or it can take time to manifest, even if the device appears to be working normally after exposure to water.
Since the sensors are directly exposed to environment it's a matter of time before the device starts to malfunction.
As an system assembly technician with +25 years of experience the issue's i have noticed are :
If you want to do it right, find a different casing (one that is at least IP rated, e.g. IP66 or IP67) or find a solution for the issue's above 1 through 8.
Not sure about the front sticker and it's sealing capability of the adhesive and IP rating of the solar panel, however that might be easily solved by gluing an transparent plexiglass over the whole front.
https://www.sungoldsolar.us/ip67-and-ip68-waterproof-solar-panels/
The antenna can be replaced for something like this: https://www.adafruit.com/product/2308
kittengineering
commented
1 day ago Thanks for the feedback we are aware of that!About IPx The samples of casing we received did have a gasket to provide ip66 rating.These were not available for the project but with simple measuements all usdues you mentioned are easy to fix:Use self vulcanising tape to seal the antenna connector.Because the gasket is missing you can seal the lid with sealant, or buy the original gasket from bopla.The solarpanel and front foil should provide durable protection also including the light guides.The sensors must be exposed so the sensors tube must point down.The usb and buttons i protect with a piece of PVC tape before placing outside.We are aware that the pcb can be exposed to high humidity air. That is why the pcb is conformal coated on the sensitive area's.Please understand that this project is 100% funded, sponsored and realized in about 4 month.....A 3D model of a mounting bracket has been made, it wil be publised.We will publish extra instructions for save outdoor use.Regards,AndriesAndries Lohmeijer Technical Director KITT Engineering m: +31 (0)6 53625700 p: +31 (0) 53 4315700 a: Josink Esweg 22 7545 PN, Enschede, The Netherlands w: www.kitt.nl e: @. -------- Oorspronkelijk bericht --------Van: Logic-7E8 @.> Datum: 29-09-2024 10:08 (GMT+01:00) Aan: kittengineering/Omgevingsmonitor_Software @.> Cc: Subscribed @.> Onderwerp: Re: [kittengineering/Omgevingsmonitor_Software] Magic smoke (Issue #11) Well, the casing itself does not have an IP rating and we all know that when water enters an electronic device, it can cause corrosion, oxidation, and rust, the damage can be immediate or it can take time to manifest, even if the device appears to be working normally after exposure to water. Since the sensors are directly exposed to environment it's a matter of time before the device starts to malfunction. As an system assembly technician with +25 years of experience the issue's i have noticed are :
the light guides are not sealed. the USB-c is not sealed the sensors are exposed, that includes the extended plastic body which allows dust and moist to enter the entire casing. the antenna is not sealed. the screw holes and the back are not sealed. there is not rubber seal between the front and back casing.
If you want to do it right, find a different casing (one that is at least IP rated, e.g. IP66 or IP67) Not sure about the front sticker and it's sealing capability of the adhesive and IP rating of the solar panel, however that might be easily solved by gluing an transparent plexiglass over the whole front. https://www.sungoldsolar.us/ip67-and-ip68-waterproof-solar-panels/
—Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: @.***>
Logic-7E8
commented
1 day ago Thanks for the feedback we are aware of that!About IPx The samples of casing we received did have a gasket to provide ip66 rating.These were not available for the project but with simple measuements all usdues you mentioned are easy to fix:Use self vulcanising tape to seal the antenna connector.Because the gasket is missing you can seal the lid with sealant, or buy the original gasket from bopla.The solarpanel and front foil should provide durable protection also including the light guides.The sensors must be exposed so the sensors tube must point down.The usb and buttons i protect with a piece of PVC tape before placing outside.We are aware that the pcb can be exposed to high humidity air. That is why the pcb is conformal coated on the sensitive area's.Please understand that this project is 100% funded, sponsored and realized in about 4 month.....A 3D model of a mounting bracket has been made, it wil be publised.We will publish extra instructions for save outdoor use.Regards,AndriesAndries Lohmeijer Technical Director KITT Engineering m: +31 (0)6 53625700 p: +31 (0) 53 4315700 a: Josink Esweg 22 7545 PN, Enschede, The Netherlands w: www.kitt.nl e: @. -------- Oorspronkelijk bericht --------Van: Logic-7E8 @.> Datum: 29-09-2024 10:08 (GMT+01:00) Aan: kittengineering/Omgevingsmonitor_Software @.> Cc: Subscribed @.> Onderwerp: Re: [kittengineering/Omgevingsmonitor_Software] Magic smoke (Issue #11) Well, the casing itself does not have an IP rating and we all know that when water enters an electronic device, it can cause corrosion, oxidation, and rust, the damage can be immediate or it can take time to manifest, even if the device appears to be working normally after exposure to water. Since the sensors are directly exposed to environment it's a matter of time before the device starts to malfunction. As an system assembly technician with +25 years of experience the issue's i have noticed are : the light guides are not sealed. the USB-c is not sealed the sensors are exposed, that includes the extended plastic body which allows dust and moist to enter the entire casing. the antenna is not sealed. the screw holes and the back are not sealed. there is not rubber seal between the front and back casing. If you want to do it right, find a different casing (one that is at least IP rated, e.g. IP66 or IP67) Not sure about the front sticker and it's sealing capability of the adhesive and IP rating of the solar panel, however that might be easily solved by gluing an transparent plexiglass over the whole front. https://www.sungoldsolar.us/ip67-and-ip68-waterproof-solar-panels/ —Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: @.***>
@kittengineering
Thank you for the reply, i am fully aware the project is funded and done with very little resources, credits for that!
Main reason i wrote (positive feedback) was this to prevent others making the same mistake to put the device outside without resolving those points first.
It's not my intent to negatively criticize the device.
What's the possibility of getting a new PCB? Looks the case was less than waterproof last night and if I try to charge the board now I see magic smoke coming from the L2 Power Inductor.