My new solar powered 24hr FARS

[LeomaTNWX]

Please take a look at the pictures and tell me what you think. I am hoping to one day power a web cam with this setup. I just got it up and running today so we will see how it works. All that is left to do is put the cable going from the battery to the fan in some conduit.

[LeomaTNWX]

I forgot to add the link

www.leomaweather.com/solarsystemparts.htm

[DanS]

Very nicely done! Good job. 

Dan

[Arthurhh]

Nice job well done and professional in its implemetatiom

[sam2004gp]

Nice Job, how much did that set your wallet back?

[Anthony]

Very impressive. But I think you may have a serious problem with the page displaying the information. Could be a problem with the internet it's self. The page takes forever to load, 3+ minutes, & brings my computer down to a crawl while is loading. I tried loading the page on 2 different computers. One running IE 7 and one running IE 8. Has any one else had a problem getting the page to load?

Would love to have a solar set up like that my self. That would run my whole weather station plus the FARS.

[port1]

That setup is beautifully constructed, using premium quality materials (the enclosure is expensive!).
And all that Kindorf sure makes it strong!  That gives me some ideas, too.

Would you elaborate on the fan and exact placement of the sensor?
Is it wired or wireless for data collection?

I like it!
 

Henry

[Coop]

Very impressive. But I think you may have a serious problem with the page displaying the information. Could be a problem with the internet it's self. The page takes forever to load, 3+ minutes, & brings my computer down to a crawl while is loading. I tried loading the page on 2 different computers. One running IE 7 and one running IE 8. Has any one else had a problem getting the page to load?

Would love to have a solar set up like that my self. That would run my whole weather station plus the FARS.

The picture files are huge. over 1.5 Mb each. That is why it takes so long to load. He could run them through a free photo resizer such as http://www.faststone.org/FSResizerDetail.htm

I'm curious about the volume of air passing over the sensor. Is it variable? I have a daylight FARS from Davis on my VP2 and want to convert it to 24 Hr. because MADIS QC thinks the nighttime temps aren't as low as they think it should be.
Sorry I digree. I'll look for FAR discussion in a more appropriate thread (or start one)

Good job on the FARS.

[LeomaTNWX]

Sorry about the pics being so big. The fan is pulling air across the temp sensor and I am running wired. As for the cost:

Solar panel and charge controller $90.00

75 amp hr battery $58.00

4x4 post $7.00

all the uni strut and the Hoffman box can out of the scrap bin at work. 

[sam2004gp]

Where did you get the solar stuff?  Links?

[LeomaTNWX]

Amazon.com. I signed up for there Visa card and got $30.00 off the total cost. So I guess the panel and controller were $120.00

[port1]

   Hey...not a bad deal!  And the Hoffman box was being trashed?
Wow...that's normally expensive.  Good for you! 
Very nice job.  I think we're all jealous     
 

Henry

[ale22]

I guess I still have a lot to learn.
What does FARS means ?

        Andy

[Arthurhh]

I guess I still have a lot to learn.
What does FARS means ?

        Andy

Ah so much learn you have to do

Fan Assisted Radiation Shield

[jchen]

or

Fan Aspirated Radiation Shield

[ale22]

Aha, and I guess it is to keep the shield from being to hot ?
Does it matter if is placed in the sun or in the shadow ?

                 Andy

[LeomaTNWX]

It needs to be away from any thing that holds heat(blacktop driveway, Brick on the house, etc). As you can see from the pics I have mine enclosed in PVC (White to reflect the heat) and it is located about 100 feet from my house. The fan is pulling air across the temp sensor to prevent a "pocket" of hot air inside the shield.

[ale22]

OK, I think I understand. And this gives better/safer readings ?
I have my sensor on the north wall, in the shadow, were the sun never hits it. Just like a normal thermometer.
Is this a mistake ?

           Andy

[Anthony]

OK, I think I understand. And this gives better/safer readings ?
I have my sensor on the north wall, in the shadow, were the sun never hits it. Just like a normal thermometer.
Is this a mistake ?

           Andy

No, this would actually be an ideal location. In your case a FARS is probably no necessary at all  A FARS is normally needed if your temp sensor is placed in a location that get alot of sun.

[Arthurhh]

or

Fan Aspirated Radiation Shield

opps my blonde. Late at night is my excuse. It definately should be aspirated !

[ale22]

OK, I think I understand. And this gives better/safer readings ?
I have my sensor on the north wall, in the shadow, were the sun never hits it. Just like a normal thermometer.
Is this a mistake ?

           Andy

No, this would actually be an ideal location. In your case a FARS is probably no necessary at all  A FARS is normally needed if your temp sensor is placed in a location that get alot of sun.

Ahh, that's to bad...
I was hoping I had to build something, the wife REALLY LOVES all the homemade things I have in garage and elsewhere 
Actually, I think that's a big part of a hobby, to build thing and all the testing etc. etc. And believe it or not sometimes I build someting that's really works !

                  Andy