How did this project start:
How often do you stand at shore asking yourself how hard will the wind blow at the other side of the lake. This was a question a lot of members at Windsurfclub Reeuwijk (WSCR) asked themself.
Because of these questions Windsurfice started. But how do you send the data 1.5km across water? (Without an subscription) How do you power the setup so it can stay at the spot during the year?
Om de data te versturen maakt de windmeter gebruik van het LORA netwerk. Een technologie met een groot bereik en een laag verbruik. De energievoorziening bestaat uit een zonnepaneel samen met een accu om dag en nacht updates te versturen.
With the help of WSCR a first test was done in March 2020 on the balcony of the club. Later in May 2020 the meter was placed on the buoy in the middle of the lake. Since then it steadily sends updates to the website.
FAQ:
Every 5 seconds a measurement of the actual wind speed is done. After 3 minutes the average wind speed is calculated together with the minimum and maximum wind gust. Depending on the settings between 3 and 24 minutes the data is send to the server.
Because of the battery and solar panel the wind meter is a standalone setup that can send updates trough the day. Even if the sun doesn't shine for a couple of days.
De wind meter is build to be places outside throughout the year in all weather conditions.
The wind meter uses the LORA network. This technology has a range of multiple kilometers.
The things network (TTN) is an open source LORA network. Through this network the data is send to the server. There are some fair use policies when using the TTN network. You can only send 30 seconds of data each day. This comes down to every 3 minutes an update.
To increase the range the frequency of updates can be increase from 3 minutes up to 6, 12 or 24 minutes. The meter will always send it's update but does not always get received. With lora there is no way to determine if the message got trough. There is an change the update is lost.
The wind meter is designed and build by Windsurfice.
The first step is to check whether there is coverage on location. If there is no coverage but there is internet close by a receiver can be placed.
Where is the meter mounted on is the next step. Special mounting solutions can be made to order. Example see the buoy at WSCR.
Interested? Contact us or send a e-mail to info@windsurfice.com
