I recently brought a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ and have been searching for uses. I’m currently running Homebridge and Shairport Sync, but I’m looking for more projects.
If you have a Raspberry Pi, what do you use it for?
There is currently two pi 4’s awaiting cases, one to be a secondary desktop in the study to replace the 3 that’s there and the second is to replace OSMC in the bedroom… Awaiting cases and software stability!
Also if you want to do something really cool, check out mugsy I’ve got one on order at the moment
Anybody have any ideas if a cheap solar power bank from eBay is any good to power a Raspberry Pi Zero W (1 amp) during a whole night?
I have 4 of these Pi Zero W laying around, and I think of converting them into small and private surveillance cameras, powered by cheap solar power banks from eBay (stuck to window), with recording activated by motion and upload automated by FTP into 1Fichier (60 days of hot storage should be more than enough).
For a Raspberry Pi 2 we sad, at least 50WP + 50Ah battery.
But a Raspberry Pi Zero consumes a lot less, it looks like a Zero uses about 45-55% less.
So I would say 20/25WP at least.
The issue mostly is, the solar panel needs to charge the battery + power the pi.
Depending on your position, you may need more or less.
Look at the specs of the solar bank, like solar panel in WP, capacity…
Unfortunately they don’t provide information about solar panel of the power bank, only about battery. Going for something expensive by buying those separately defeats the whole purpose.
I am now thinking of getting only a solar panel (without battery) stick it to window and capture only during the day (while I am at work). Any idea what solar panel (in WP) I should choose?
Well, a solar panel with 50WP which costs about 41EUR with shipping on ebay, gives you 2,76A at 12v at full direct sunlight. Of course you need a 12v to 5v converter for that.
Additional, if you put it behind a window, it produces less then direct outside.
The 50WP should be able to output 200-500mA to power 1-2 even if its very clouded.
It could power far more in direct sun light but thats not always the case, thats why they include batteries.
The bigger the panel is, the more it provides also while its clouded.
But no math has been done here, I had a solar setup I knew a bit from that but thats it.
I would suggest using the solar panel to charge a battery, myself - and 12v to 5v is an ugly step down conversion which is wasteful- but really, who the hell cares?
Yea he will loose % or %% in conversion, depending on how and what he buys to do it.
The issue is that the RP needs 5v not 12v, he needs to convert anyway, but a battery would be helpfull so he could run a few hours or days with shitty weather.