Objective is to construct, calibrate, and document a system for measuring wind speed using deployable sensors, with data collected using a multichannel analog-to-digital converter system that runs on a high end computer.
Sensor:
Sensor is revision P wind sensor from Modern Devices, https://moderndevice.com/products/wind-sensor-rev-p .
Schematic diagram is here: WindSensorRevPschematic.pdf
Sensors will be mounted inside carbon fiber tube with a clamp at other end for DB-9 connector.
Device needs 12V at 40 mA. So eight of them draw 320 mA, round that up to 500 mA and we need a 12V, 10W power supply.
Assembly:
- cut carbon tube in half.
- attach DB-9 connector to flange with two 4-40 screws. Use standoffs if it doesn't clear ID.
- feed ribbon cable through tube, and plug other end into sensor. Wire will have to be folded carefully into tube.
- test electrical connections and functionality
- glue in both the connector flange and the sensor using 5 minute epoxy or silicon RTV
- add mount clamp at midpoint
DB-9 connector on sensor is F. Need long-ish cables to run inside the dome, running to DB9 connector at computer end.
Expected voltage output vs. temperature:
T(C). V_temp output
-10.0000 0.2040
-9.0000 0.2236
-8.0000 0.2432
-7.0000 0.2628
-6.0000 0.2824
-5.0000 0.3020
-4.0000 0.3216
-3.0000 0.3412
-2.0000 0.3608
-1.0000 0.3804
0 0.4000
1.0000 0.4196
2.0000 0.4392
3.0000 0.4588
4.0000 0.4784
5.0000 0.4980
6.0000 0.5176
7.0000 0.5372
8.0000 0.5568
9.0000 0.5764
10.0000 0.5960
11.0000 0.6156
12.0000 0.6352
13.0000 0.6548
14.0000 0.6744
15.0000 0.6940
16.0000 0.7136
17.0000 0.7332
18.0000 0.7528
19.0000 0.7724
20.0000 0.7920
21.0000 0.8116
22.0000 0.8312
23.0000 0.8508
24.0000 0.8704
25.0000 0.8900
Output of wind sensor goes from 0 to 3.3 Volts, nonlinear response.
Software:
We want to use an array of 8 of these (ideally) in the of dome with two quantities measured per device. That means we need a 16-channel A/D converter, running at 16 bits. LabJack T7-Pro is one option. Let's start with that.
Need to store data at one reading per second, perhaps averaging over multiple readings. It would be nice to provide a panel with windspeeds,see for example https://pi-plates.com/displaying-data-with-a-virtual-meter/
Parts List:
| item | vendor | part number | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| sensor | Modern Device | wind sensor rev P | https://moderndevice.com/products/wind-sensor-rev-p |
| carbon fiber tube, 18mm inner diameter | Amazon | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DH95ZNJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 | |
| right angle header pins | Amazon | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BRZC6C6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 | |
| DB-9 connector for sensor end | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081GJR1MN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 | ||
| DB-9 Male to Female cables, various lengths | |||
| mounting clamp | Amazon | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S1S4H19/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 | |
| DB-9 Male breakout connector | Amazon | ||
| Power supply, 12V 1 Amp | |||
| A/D converter | |||
| Mac Mini computer | |||
| mouse | |||
| keyboard | |||
| monitor | |||
| connector panel for computer end | |||
to do:
check type of connector on sensor end- pin or socket?
wire up one and test it with voltmeter
find DB9 break out connectors
get mac mini running
software design
design panel/enclosure and submit to shop.