Ive had a number of these devices. And the number 1 thing that fails is the battery. It might also be where I am at. We have 110+F days that cause spicy pillows or failures after a year or so.

So I was wondering, is there a way to make a “daytime only” node that turns on where theres enough sunlight to power the thing, and then turns off where there is not enough sunlight?

I figure I could just get a 5V solar panel and hook it up directly to one of the nodes. I’m just nervous that it will under voltage the device over the long run if that makes sense.

  • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
    0·
    14 days ago

    Yeah, it’s completely possible to just buy one of those solar panels with a USB connector and plug it right in. I’ve done it before. But you’re going to experience multiple daily outages if there’s so much as a cloud going over it (unless you install a giant panel), not to mention entire days where it’s cloudy.

    • mesa@piefed.socialOPEnglish
      0·
      14 days ago

      Thanks, i may give it a try.

      Im in one of the sunniest places on the planet. Almost no rain or clouds…ever. So it may work out :)

      • iii@mander.xyzEnglish
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        14 days ago

        Would be a nice way of communicating :). You can communicate with everyone around, but when come evening it’s automatically quiet time.

        • mesa@piefed.socialOPEnglish
          0·
          14 days ago

          Im thinking its just more reliable and one less part to fail in a years time. And less chance of a spark in high fire areas. I dont necessarily need to communicate 24x7 if its just for fun. And it makes the local mesh just a bit bigger in the day.