Viability of wireless unit, sealed/potted

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Nazaar
 
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Viability of wireless unit, sealed/potted

Post by Nazaar »

Hi all,
I've made some loggers/readers with Feather family bits, powered with 3.7V Lipo batteries. They go underwater, which is an issue in of itself. I thought that it might be option to make the whole thing self-contained and seal it up permanently.

Instead of using the 32u4 Adalogger, I'd use the 32u4 Bluefruit LE https://www.adafruit.com/product/2829. I'd add one of the Qi receivers https://www.adafruit.com/product/1901 and the some sort of Lipo chargers. Not sure which though. Maybe https://www.adafruit.com/product/259 or https://www.adafruit.com/product/1944. Then connect Qi receiver to lipo charger, charger to both battery and the device.

Then, assuming it all worked, pot the whole thing with epoxy so water can't get to it. Or maybe just seal it in an enclosure and glue it completely shut. Maybe add some reed switches on the outside for a reset button and on/off. Then charge with the coil, and code through bluetooth

Would this work in an electronic sense? Other than the electronics, one of my concerns would the heat that the charger would produce, and what would happen to it.

Any tips, help, advice appreciated.

Thanks

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adafruit_support_mike
 
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Re: Viability of wireless unit, sealed/potted

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

The general idea is good, though you should remember that LiPos will eventually wear out.

Instead of trying for a fully potted assembly, consider a sealed design: use a panel with a gasket that can come off with some effort. Use the wireless charging most of the time, but keep the option to open the enclosure and replace the battery or work on the hardware if necessary.

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sj_remington
 
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Re: Viability of wireless unit, sealed/potted

Post by sj_remington »

Were you thinking of using radio communications underwater? If so, don't expect a range of more than a couple of cm, if that, even in very pure water.

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