Final Prototype Deployment Now in Progress

Final deployment of the unit to run until 2021.

We have now reached the point where we have made what we believe will be the final design for the sound lure, which is being placed in an outside rural position indefinitely.    Since November we have been deploying and adapting the design, including spending extended time checking the units viability.

Waterproofing: This has been a key issue for the long term viability of the unit.   Initially we designed 3D Printed boxes created by students in the classroom to protect the first run of the boxes, while this worked against rain of varying levels particularly when it was combined with a wooden stoat or rat box.    Given that the

Above: External bolts to show exit points

first trials were taking place over Summer or Autumn, we were aware of an increase in condensation during Winter that would cause difficulty with the units.    The solution as detailed on this blog we believe has been to use IP Rated Waterproof boxes.     These boxes have extremely limited ability for water to enter them.   By drilling two bolts holes into both end of the boxes and placing two bolts into both sets of holes, and then protecting the gap between the bolt and the box, this should make the units essentially waterproof.   We will be leaving the unit pictured above outside for an extended period of time (intended to be the rest of the year) to ensure that it is working.  We do have questions over the two parts of the unit that are currently external, the speakers and the solar panel.  Compared to the rest of the unit these are relatively inexpensive and somewhat disposable but this also allows the set up to be flexible.

Battery/Power Level: Every indication that this has been resolved.  The oustanding issue is the weather proofing of the solar panel unit and the long term lipo battery use with the unit.    The batteries are charging each day, overtime we would expect there to be a drop off in efficiency of them as a unit.  We are undertaking to work with solar panel experts to indentify the size, durability and cost price of the best unit for moving forward (long term) with the project.    We have versions of remote monitors to constantly check the battery level for the device.   We have a cut off point for the device to shut down if the battery level is too low.   In full sun there is no question that the device is able to maintain itself on a daily basis, running all day, having the unit charge during the day and then play all night, maintaining enough charge to complete and re-start the cycle.   In full shade the unit is able to operate from a mains charge for four days without requiring any additional charging. 

Brust Tailed Possum interacting with Sound Lure

We are currently investigating the viability of the unit to run in partial shade on a full time basis - we believe that it will but are currently finalising our testing to prove this.   This is important because it would mean the unit could be used in bush/vegetation situations where it could be left.   We are focussing in the future on stoats in particular.   The goal is to have a self managing sound lure that can be left long term to attract predators without the need for it being either monitored or powered up etc.   This would be possible only if the unit could be left in position and would not require any additional human interaction (such as changing the batteries etc).

Water Proofing dealt with by the commerical grade nox

Developing the Picaxe Chip Further:
Now that we believe that the waterproofing and power levels have been resolved we can move forward with adjusting the sound levels and profile, this is where the Picaxe chip will come into its own.  The current setup includes a basic 1/5 profile, that is one sound during the day and one of five random sounds at night, played randomly.   With the system set up including the code from the computer the number of sound activations during the day or night are limited only by the size of the mini-SD card are contained within the unit.  Potentially this could be expanded on considerably.   The current coding set up is to reflect its development in the design process, it was essential to develop the water proofing and the circuit design to the point that it was successful so that the coded version of the computer/Picaxe could follow last.   Once we start talking to individuals and partnerships we can target specific time when the unit activates (as it is reading the light level from the solar panel), the frequency with which the unit operates (again based on specific times/light levels).  We are also able to introduce a variable into the unit determining the frequency and the volume at which it is required to operate.   There are nearly unlimited variations that can be easily introduced and coded into the unit.

Cost of the Units: Throughout the process we have attempted to minimise the cost of the unit.  The purpose of this is to ensure that the technology behind the unit and the units themselves are as accessible as possible to the widest range of individuals possible.   The units that are featured on this blog, the latest versions of them, have been created/produced by ten year old students.    We are currently able to create a unit in the region of $50.00 for the entire existing set up, with a further $20.00 required to ensure that the water proofing is complete.   While we cannot look to answer the question of how long that the unit itself will last for we are hopeful that with the steps that have been taken it will remain in operation, in authentic outside environments without needing to be modified or human interaction and the final step is to measure its effectiveness in as many locations and situations as possible.

If you would like to assist in doing that can you please contact us via email (myles.webb@gmail.com) to discuss the matter further.

Deployment SIte Two - Summary of Month

This site has now had a month of deployment and the decision has been made to move the unit to depolyment site one.

In summary - the profile was the present standard profile: Daytime is a regular stoat call.   The nighttime profile cycles between five different basic sounds: the same stoat call that is used during the day, two possum calls and two baby chick/bird calls.    The purpose of the trial is to test the unit, the power status and see if it can have a basic effectiveness.   Some of the sounds have not been professionally recorded and were located as freely available youtube recordings.   These remain an area of significant targetting and improvement in the future.

Battery Power/Solar Charging of Unit: At present this unit has been charged in a solar power context only for a calendar month there was no additional boosting through a mains power system.   The unit has been delibrately placed in a position of full sunlight.  As a consequence the unit was nearly successfull.   It was able to operate on full power during the day and had enough charge generated to last most of the hours of darkness - there was some struggle to power the unti through a full cycle in the morning, but with the first daybreak the unit was then able to operate as expected.   In a shaded situation the unit would require 'boost' charging to alow it to operate fully.   Significant changes can be made to the frequency of the sound emitting, such as a the timing between bursts and the frequency - this was intended to 'push' the unit in a trial situation and it did exactly that.

Weather Exposure: The unit was placed inside a tunnel trap, and further inside PLA Plastic (3D Printed) boxes.   There was also a moisture packet placed inside the box.   These precautions were enough to ensure that no moisture combined with the unit for the month. 

Pest Interaction with Sound Lure/Trap at Location: There was repeated activity with hedgehogs at the site, including two who attempted to enter the tunnel and were trapped as a result,   The tunnel was next to a maize paddock so we were expected rats or mice (hence the trap) which did not eventuate.   There was no other recorded activity with the exception of domestic cats.   There are possums operating in the general area.