Hi!
Is this kit all it takes to set up a self powered relay?
Are all three items included, as advertised in the photo?
I hope somebody already tried it.
Thanks for your advices.
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Not tried it but it seems like it has 'always on’ mode.
So it looks quite promising, but I haven’t used one.
Thanks, Sam.
I plan to set up a permanent relay here (please see the pictures, city of Arad, https://postimg.cc/gallery/m5mgqzb0/), so I’m in the market to gather more info on the items required.
As far as I can tell, there’s only one goTenna user in my area.
Regards, N.
The exposed USB connection on the panel would be a concern, so you’d need lot’s of epoxy to seal it.
You’re right, the humidity is a concern, but the device is intended to be housed into a closed balcony, at about 21 meters above the ground level.
Can you elaborate a little bit upon the epoxy and the connectors to be sealed? Maybe you could attach a photo of the insulated connectors, supposed you already done this type of DIY works?
Thanks.
And another question:
since the solar charger kit (that has this “always on” feature ) delivers a non-stop current to the goTenna internal battery, is it going to decay sooner?
I have several Voltaic panels and battery packs. The system you cited is a good one for temoporary use. If you plan for the relay to be on 24/7 through the seasons, I’d try this combination instead.
https://voltaicsystems.com/6-watt-kit/
6 watts is the minimum size panel to consider, but should work so long as you’re close to 40 degrees North or closer to the equator. I’d suggest one of the Voltaic solar panels of 6 watts or greater that comes installed on a aluminum plate, as it will be great if a permanent outdoor install
Also, you may want a bigger battery pack. The 4,000 mAh one is kind of marginal for environments at higher latitudes, lower temps, and longer nights with the GTM . I use 8,000 mAh battery packs and they have run short on occasion.
If funds are available, I recommend upgrading to this kit for the best long term reliability and performance:
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With this power bank (https://voltaicsystems.com/v50/) it might run even better, don’t you think?
I mean the solar pannel you suggested, along with the bigger power bank, as in this picture: https://postimg.cc/94PbL7qm
This list might be useful https://my.aliexpress.com/wishlist/shared.htm?groupId=100000018985469
It’s designed for a similar project, but I think the gotenna would just about fit in the box.
Largely lower quality components, except perhaps for the glass solar panel that should degrade more slowly than the plastic ones provided by Voltaic.
Thank you. I will look into it. But I feel that Voltaic product is somehow a better make…
I am gonna make some photos tomorrow morning, to show you the place where I plan mounting the relay.
It is (kind of) a service room at level 7 of a 8 story building, facing North. I think the kit is going to be placed on the inside of a window. Don’t know if I can mount it outside of the building. No special enclosures for now.
Yeah, that’s it. I meant to post that as a second choice, but double posted the first link instead. That power bank should be plenty large enough unless you live near the Arctic Circle. I corrected the link in that post to go to the 9 watt kit.
I live near the 45th parallel, and I plan to set up the relay indoor, so I think I’ll go with the following:
panel:
but with this battery:
totaling 94 USD
(tomorrow I will attach some pictures of the space I’m intending to place the relay, as I said).
Thanks.
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Yes, sounds like a good plan. I tend to use 10 watt panels more and more. The extra margin of capacity is worthwhile, Same with that new V50. I haven’t seen one, but it’s a welcome addition to Voltaic’s offerings.
Here are the pictures.
The second one is from inside the service room.
That’s the window I’m gonna attach all the components, using this hook (2 pcs.)
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An installation with a view. 
The RF pattern will be pretty directional, but you should get good coverage of the area that can be seen from that window. Depending on the materials used in the building, you’ll get some close-in coverage in other directions, too, but not nearly the range in the direction the window offers. If it’s possible to get rooftop access, that will largely even out the coverage pattern and the roughly 30m height would allow excellent range.
If that’s a space you have regular access to, then I’d patiently wait to see how long that suction cup hangs in there. It looks like it’s high quality, but those things have a tendency to fail over time. That time to hold gets shorter as the rubber stiffens with age. I’d start thinking of a potential alternative, but they should work for now.
Yes …
The suction cup is advertized as sustaining 10 kg of force, and I will put two such cups. No roof top access, but in that service room I have full access, so I think there’s no way the both cups could simultaneously fail, while I am far away.
Thanks for your patience, I’ll keep you (and the readers) informed.
N.
I use shoe goo to seal those kinds of connections because it can be removed if necessary. Unlike epoxy.
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You mean this kind of sealant?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000BQR55G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A18KNZ0ID7MNQY&psc=1
ĂŽn dum., 19 ian. 2020 la 20:59, ShootAnyAngle via goTenna Mesh community gotenna@discoursemail.com a scris:
Yes. It makes a good seal, is strong and can be removed if needed.
Another option would be silicon caulking