Water Proofing Unit - April 2020

The trial unit deployed has currenlty be left exposed in a an accessible location.   As shown in the March 2020 Rainfall Graphic (Credit: Sourced from TRC Website) was just under 50% of expected, as the nearest weather station is the one at Manaia.   April has already seen a considerable increase in rainfall. 

Based on data provided by a local weather station close to our deployment location to this point in April we have had 39.9mm in rainfall.   For this time period we have a unit deployed in an exposed location to direct rainfall, protected by just the box, without the unit having any additional protection or screening.

We have been closely checking for evidence of any mositure in the box or container and after three weeks there is no evidence what-so-ever.   The unit also has been acting as expected despite the adverse weather conditions with the exception of one evening, when the unit ceased activiation at 10pm due to battery power and moved to silent mode.   The unit then returned to operation the next morning and has operated as expected since.

Left:
Deployment as it currently stands with a live capture trap.  The yellow box and wood block are in place so that the solar panel is placed on an angle.    The wood is there to prevent the panel from blowing away in the wind.    The box that is visible (green) is a 3D Printed speaker container designed by a student. 

As stated previously the unit is combined with a live capture trap because of the close proximity to a house with domestic animals.    The cage itself has the addition of a small amount of peanut butter in the cage.

Left:
As the solar panel and speaker are directly exposed to the elements, some additional protection for the unit was required.   As part of the previous projects and design this 3D Printed speaker box was created.   It is able to provide some basic protection for the speaker and some basic drainage.   This speaker (4w) was purchased online from Ali Express in August 2019 with the first lot of equipment for the project.

Left: The unit with lid removed after three weeks deployment in direct weather conditions including significant rainfall (nearly 40mm in three weeks).   There is no evidence of any moisture that has entered the unit and is either on the lid or the base of the unit.

While this is not a study over an extended period of time, it does indicate that the unit will continue to operate in adverse weather conditions and there is minimal interaction with moisture.    With regards to the unit powering down one evening, we have had the code refined several times and are continuing to do so.   It is anticipated that this will continue to be improved on so that we reach a situation where the powering of the unit will run without interuption.