Solar/UV enclosure - Printable Version

Solar/UV enclosure - Printable Version

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Solar/UV enclosure - laulau - 06-02-2016

(05-02-2016, 02:33)Werk_AG Wrote:
(05-02-2016, 01:44)Palmyweather Wrote: I was concerned about the curvature of the dome however and how this might reflect / refract or even focus the sun light. Also, for the solar panel at least, would be very difficult to moiunt it directly under the dome with no air gap.

I'm almost sure that the curvature of the dome will cause problems. Another possible problem is making that enclosure resistant to weather elements (water, sun exposition, etc, etc.)

My preferred enclosure is like this one:

Unfortunately I never found one on ebay with a clear cover (without that white trace).

Those enclosures are very resistant, they are made to be installed in the ground. It's very easy to remove the switch at the back, and use the hole to pass the cable (just make small hole in the membrane, then after pass the cable seal it with silicone). There is plenty of space inside to install the solar / UV interface

Here is a picture of the unit I'm using since two years.

I bought mine at a local store. The cover is made of a 5mm glass, which has lowered the UV readings by around 30% (later compensated in the software, by comparing the readings with nearby weather stations, and values published on portuguese official meteo site). Not a very scientific method but enough to have readings inline with other sources.

I have mine in a very similar enclosure.
I kept the original PV cell and put a proto PCB into the plastic box that was inside. I reused one hole for the UV sensor. I tried to align the inside PV cell connections with the white trace of the cover.

Calibration hasn't been done correctly because i have to wait for a clear summer day!
Some questions (@ Werk_AG):
Is it possible to have the dimensions of the PCB and the PV cell from your solar kit to see if i can swap them at some point.
Where did you find the cover without the white trace ?
Is the UV sensor sensible to this white trace ? if no it's perhaps better to align the trace with the UV sensor!
Thanks
Laurent

RE: Solar/UV enclosure - werk_ag - 07-02-2016

Quote:I kept the original PV cell...

Just for curiosity, what is the maximum short circuit current of that PV cell?

Quote:Is it possible to have the dimensions of the PCB and the PV cell...

Solar/UV PCB - 42.7mm x 46.0mm
PV Cell - 55.0mm x 45.0mm

Quote:Where did you find the cover without the white trace ?

Some years ago at Lidl. Never see them again.

Quote:Is the UV sensor sensible to this white trace ? if no it's perhaps better to align the trace with the UV sensor!

Really don't know.

RE: Solar/UV enclosure - laulau - 08-02-2016

Quote:Just for curiosity, what is the maximum short circuit current of that PV cell?

Can't say exactly, i plan to do a complete calibration(Ish, Rsh, gain, etc) this summer!

RE: Solar/UV enclosure - laulau - 20-05-2016

New enclosure for Werk_AG hardware i've bought recently.
No UV sensor for the moment.

I'm afraid that the glass cover reduce significantly the measurements!

RE: Solar/UV enclosure - Palmyweather - 21-05-2016

I started to use the same type of enclosure a few months ago with the small center circle frosted. I found I needed to add a multiplier of 1.6 to the solar and 3.0 to the UV sensor to get accurate results with this sort of enclosure.

RE: Solar/UV enclosure - werk_ag - 21-05-2016

(21-05-2016, 01:16)Palmyweather Wrote: I started to use the same type of enclosure a few months ago with the small center circle frosted. I found I needed to add a multiplier of 1.6 to the solar and 3.0 to the UV sensor to get accurate results with this sort of enclosure.

Hi,

For the solar sensor, you will get a better calibration slightly adjusting the variable resistor on the Solar / UV interface, than adding a multiplier in the formula.
Not so easy, but better.

RE: Solar/UV enclosure - zitoune - 18-08-2016

I have built my solar radiation sensor!

Like many on this forum I have considered those transparent boxes as well as the garden lights that already integrate the PV cell.

Eventually I decided to go for a black aluminium box to avoid reflexion with basically full exposure of the sensors. Question is how it is going to behave when exposed to rain, high humidity and harsh sun. Let's see.

I used a test board to mount the components, the plugs and kept R1 and R2 as adjustable. The PV cell and the UV sensor are glued with Araldite glue, which is very strong. I have then added a silicon joint (not visible on those pictures) around the cable hole and the PV cell.

So far the UV sensor does not output any voltage, I will replace it - I should test it before gluing it.

Regards.

RE: Solar/UV enclosure - hornychz - 18-08-2016

(18-08-2016, 11:28)zitoune Wrote: I have built my solar radiation sensor!

Very nice! Smile

RE: Solar/UV enclosure - werk_ag - 19-08-2016

(18-08-2016, 11:28)zitoune Wrote: So far the UV sensor does not output any voltage, I will replace it - I should test it before gluing it.

As your case is metal, check if you don't have any short between the pins on the small board which hold the sensor. By the pictures, they seem very close the metal surface.

RE: Solar/UV enclosure - zitoune - 19-08-2016

(19-08-2016, 02:38)Werk_AG Wrote: As your case is metal, check if you don't have any short between the pins on the small board which hold the sensor. By the pictures, they seem very close the metal surface.

Yes very true Werk. I can measure the 5V (otherwise the whole board would be shorted anyway). I'll have to replace this and check again.
I know the software is working as when I unplugged the sensors (PV and UV) I got funny values on the RX screen.
Thank you.