Topic: WS90 Haptic Array Cap....

[BadWolf72]

Hi people a quick question i got the WS90 a few days ago now when i first powered it on the array capacitor was at 4.2V and now its down to about 2.5V (see pics) and we have had sunny days is the 2.5V correct operating voltage or is this unit faulty?

Thank you

Martin

[Rover1822]

Are you powering the unit with heater/power cable as well?
Can you also provide your solar data from the unit ?

[BadWolf72]

Thank you for replying Rover1822..

No power to the heater pad not set that up yet and i have attached pics you requested


Thank You

Martin

[Rover1822]

I'm used to w/m^2 , but even then, it is concerning that we are not seeing a bump in the haptic cap voltage.

I'd let it go for a few more days. Yes, I do find your values low day over day.

[Rover1822]

For reference, here is one of mine, on a partially sunny day

Now, if there had been a string of cloudy days before this, then it can a few days for me to end up at 5.3V

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

[BadWolf72]

OK thank you Rover1822 i think i found the problem the array had a couple of mm of ice over it the after removing it and only been 30 mins the solar is up to 1.3k and the cap voltage is already up to 3.5v i will monitor it over the next few days ..... if i get the heater working will that stop ice build up on top of the array or is it too far from the heater to do that?



Thank You

Martin

[Rover1822]

I have no idea on the heater as I don't use one, someone else may know.

Your battery level I also find to be low, from the start, did you use fresh Lithium batteries?  Although that won't matter much if you use the heater cable

[BadWolf72]

I am using Alkaline batteries at the moment i have some lithium ones on order maybe the cold is slightly effecting the batteries but its only 32f so i would think they should be ok.



Thank You

Martin

[KC5JIM]

OK thank you Rover1822 i think i found the problem the array had a couple of mm of ice over it the after removing it and only been 30 mins the solar is up to 1.3k and the cap voltage is already up to 3.5v i will monitor it over the next few days ..... if i get the heater working will that stop ice build up on top of the array or is it too far from the heater to do that?



Thank You

Martin

The heater is not powerful enough to melt ice on the cap.

[wsNoordbergum]

I had the unit powered with external power source and no batteries inserted.
It charged my supercap up to 5.3 volt yesterday, it was a sunny day.
So the solarpanel will charge the supercap even with external power.
With alkeline batteries and no or little sunshine, my batteries drained within a week from 3 volt to 2.8 volt
Also the supercap did not charge above 3 volts at that time.
Lithium batteries are essential in my opinion.

[Rover1822]

Be interesting to see what happens to your supercap's reported voltage while you have it plugged in. My understanding is that it plays no role when plugged in, for powering the actual circuitry. I agree with the lithium requirement. I guess have to see with cloudy days, on what gets reported.