LightningPi
Add a lightning detector to your vulnerable projects via the I2C bus to protect them from electrical storms.
Protect your electronics from lightning strikes
Lead Image © Dietmar Hoepfl, 123RF.com
Lighting is an incredibly interesting example of electricity on a grand scale. When an electrical storm is on its way through, however, you'll want to unplug your electronics so they aren't fried by lightning strikes. One way to protect your electronics is to employ a lightning detector.
I was excited to find a reasonably priced I2C lightning detector, the MOD-1016 from Embedded Systems [1], which is an excellent I2C breakout board based on the AS3935 integrated circuit. I decided to incorporate the lightning sensor into the hardware and software for my solar-powered, WiFi-connected weather station, the WeatherPi [2].
The WeatherPi was designed by SwitchDoc Labs and is a great system on which to build and tinker. The system is adaptable, and all source code is included. The WeatherPi includes the following important functions:
[...]
Use Express-Checkout link below to read the full article (PDF).
Buy this article as PDF
Express-Checkout as PDF
Pages: 8
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)
(incl. VAT)
Buy Raspberry Pi Geek
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Related content
-
SunRover part 1: Track motor controller/power system
Take your first steps in building a solar-powered robot.
-
Getting more power from your solar panels
How much extra power can a solar panel collect by tracking the sun? SwitchDoc Labs puts it to the test.
-
SunRover Part 4 – Adding a Pi Camera and Diagnostics System
A Raspberry Pi Camera module and a diagnostics system allows SunRover to see and check that all systems are go.
-
Designing and building your own board
We take you step by step through the process of designing and manufacturing a new breakout board product.
-
SunRover Part 2 – Solar Power Controller/Power System
Putting power in your robot is more than just running wires – you'll need to make sure the power supply doesn't cause interference that will disrupt other components. This article explores the problem of electrical noise and describes the design for a multiplexing solar power system.
