[David Lutz]

Thank you so much Shannon!

One very minor last question – for the DIP switch, that would be turning the USB DIP to ‘off’ for the purposes of LED operation, correct? The ‘Power’ DIP switch would remain ‘on’?

Thank you!

Dave

[David Lutz]

Shannon,

I ordered several boards in the 1.0 release in the fall as replacements for 0.5 boards that are currently in the field. Our setup for those involved using DIN rails to connect large marine cycle batteries so we could keep our terrestrial stations operational during the winter. So, we used the 12v regulator on the 0.5 board and it has worked really well.

For the 1.0 boards, I wonder if we could order a bare wire version of the step down module you linked, and then just connect that to a JST connector for where the solar panel input is. Can you think of any issues that may arise with that type of setup?

Sincerely,

Dave

[David Lutz]

Shannon,

We had been using the EnviroDIY Libraries as well as libraries contained within the IDE itself. Our code uses sections of the sample logger sketch, but have been built out a bit to combine possible analog sensors as well as communicate with Xbee.

I’d be happy to share with you – it’s not super long and you’ll see that it is pretty simple.

Another thought I had dealt with power supplies. I know the Mayfly has a 12V step-down in it. We have each of our stations connected to a charge controller linked to a solar panel and a deep-cycle marine battery so that our stations can operate even in the winter time. I wonder if power is entering at a voltage higher than 12V (low 14s) if this might cause an issue.

A clue really does seem to be the RTC. When it is not operational and doesn’t retain the date/time, the Mayfly will not write. But we have brand new batteries in the RTC so that’s why we thought it could be a conflict in the libraries somehow?

Dave

[David Lutz]

A small update for everyone:

We were able to allow the Mayfly to operate by updating the libraries in our code. We are using some core IDE libraries as well as some EnviroDIY libraries. My sense is that there might be a conflict between the recent update to the SD library, and perhaps a pin interrupt library from EnviroDIY, but I’m not sure.

One particular clue is that for the mayflys that are not operating when connected to the battery, their RTC clock is also not operational. So, when we pull the SD card, not only is there no file written, but when we check what is written to the serial, the RTC is still set to the date we initially set it in August.

I’m not sure if Shannon or Sara have any insights into possible issues with library updates and SD card functionality. It writes to the serial when connected to a computer, but just won’t initialize the txt file to write to the external file on the SD.

Dave

[David Lutz]

That’s a good thought – the only thing is that we have the identical setup nearby that we installed in November with the exact same battery and solar panel, and those function with no problem. We don’t believe there is a difference in the physical infrastructure that we can tell – so the only difference could be what libraries we installed?

[David Lutz]

Hi everyone,

Some updates on this project – we now have 12 loggers monitoring 8 sensors at each site. It took a full field season but now have all the wiring free of shorts and power problems. We have mostly been focused on the data collection side and, because of COVID, don’t have resources to work solely on the 900Mhz radio network element quite yet – we had some success transferring data along the network, but path loss did not allow us to collect from all nodes in the network.

[David Lutz]

Wow! That is amazing – and very helpful! I thought it may be an issue with a line in the library – we migrated to Meter group sensors which seemed to work – perhaps because of their ability to wake up more quickly.

[David Lutz]

Thanks for the update Shannon – we have 12 out in the field for collecting soil moisture in a project with the USFS – I should probably update that thread. We are looking to buy 15 more for installation in Vermont now, too.

One cool piece of info for you all is that the Mayflys we had installed over-winter in northern NH made it through -20F temperatures outside their casing. We had a deep cycle battery and solar panel and they capture soil moisture dynamics during winter/spring transition – the first time that has been documented.

A broader question – would Stroud/EnviroDIY like info on how we are using these devices as part of research work? I imagine it may help SWRC’s outreach efforts?

[David Lutz]

Greg,

We never revisited the issue and instead just gave the address to the CS-215 via a CS logger. I know that our team installed an ATMOS-14 at the site, and got around power issues by just powering the sensors separately from the Mayfly board by using DIN rails. It really seems that the different power requirements between the board and the sensors don’t allow for easy address updating and connections.

That said, I am also working on a project where we are going to be using some hydrological sensors and making sure that the Mayfly will work with a YSI sonde is pretty important. I wonder if Sara may have more insights?

Dave

[David Lutz]

Hi everyone,

Very quick question. Something I didn’t see listed in the above replies has to do with antenna selection. Anthony or Sara, do you have a recommendation as to an antenna for one of the new Digi LTE-M Xbee3’s? We have had really good success with the 900mhz xbees and are now working on projects where there is cell service, so we’re exploring these new options.

Sincerely,

Dave

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