Solar Powered Weather Station

[Qdeathstar]

Hello, Thanks for taking the time to read my thread!

I've got a small issue which i'm sure is probably easily solved but i havn't been able to figure it out.

Basically, i'm trying to operate a small weather station that requires two double AA batteries to operate. The weather station is mounted about 30 ft up in the air, and changing the batteries or running a powercord down the pole would be less than optimal.

What i'm trying to do is make something that will deliver 3V AC to the unit, day and NIGHT. I'm assuming you need some sort of battery to provide power overnight, but if you use the solar panel to charge the battery, i've heard you need a higher voltage, so i wouldn't be able to use it to power the station since it requires 3 V...

If you have any ideas please let me know...

Basically, day and night i need 3DCV out 50ma....

[russ]

What is your data connection? wireless?

[Qdeathstar]

Yes, RF.

[Sunking]

All you need to do is buy about a 10 watt panel and a set of NiCD AA batteries. You could even go with LFP

[Qdeathstar]

thanks for your response.

Do i need to get a 10 watt 3 volt solar panel? How would you connect the panel to the batteries, then the batteries to the unit?

[tandrews]

Have a look at the current sales on solar powered Christmas lights.
Many of them integrate a small panel, lithium storage battery at 3.2v and come with mount hardware.
Perfect for your needs with exception that they are usually photocelled to come on at night only.
Easy modification, and on sale now...

[Mustang65]

I know that this is an old post, but I used the parts from 2 solar powered yard lights ($1.98 each on sale) and put them in series. Has been working for about 6 months now. Only one issue, battery was bad and went within the first week. Used for an XBee remote temperature/humidity sensor in the back yard.
Don

[Qdeathstar]

I know that this is an old post, but I used the parts from 2 solar powered yard lights ($1.98 each on sale) and put them in series. Has been working for about 6 months now. Only one issue, battery was bad and went within the first week. Used for an XBee remote temperature/humidity sensor in the back yard.
Don

Thanks for the reply... I ended up replacing that unit with a nicer unit that had a solar panel built in.