Greetings! Rather than ask questions/solve problems, I thought I would post a great little application-outdoor webcam fan controller.
I have an outside webcam which needs to be monitored for excessive temperatures in the summer (we see temperatures over 100F in the summer), particularly being housed in a low profile dome (http://www.bgmicro.com/search.aspx?find=acs1470) The dome is necessary to protect the camera from the outside elements.
Why not just stick a fan in with it? Yes, but if it runs all the time, dust becomes a problem and, if the fan can't keep the temperature within a certain range (<110F) the camera would be damaged.
Solution: 18x with three ADC readings, one for the actual temperature inside the dome, one to set fan turn-on temperature, and one to set high level to turn off camera until the temperature drops to a reasonable level. The camera and fan are both controlled by relays.
I have an LCD screen hooked up temperately until I know what the right settings are. Once established, I will disconnect if for other projects.
I had several "cookpit" problems initially-noisy 5v, relay bounce, etc., but everything seems to be working. I will begin construction of a second unit for another webcam I have outside.
For more details go to http://www.scottsweb.org/fan_control.htm
Thought you might find this interesting. I can think of other auto fan control applications for this as well.
Cheers!
I have an outside webcam which needs to be monitored for excessive temperatures in the summer (we see temperatures over 100F in the summer), particularly being housed in a low profile dome (http://www.bgmicro.com/search.aspx?find=acs1470) The dome is necessary to protect the camera from the outside elements.
Why not just stick a fan in with it? Yes, but if it runs all the time, dust becomes a problem and, if the fan can't keep the temperature within a certain range (<110F) the camera would be damaged.
Solution: 18x with three ADC readings, one for the actual temperature inside the dome, one to set fan turn-on temperature, and one to set high level to turn off camera until the temperature drops to a reasonable level. The camera and fan are both controlled by relays.
I have an LCD screen hooked up temperately until I know what the right settings are. Once established, I will disconnect if for other projects.
I had several "cookpit" problems initially-noisy 5v, relay bounce, etc., but everything seems to be working. I will begin construction of a second unit for another webcam I have outside.
For more details go to http://www.scottsweb.org/fan_control.htm
Thought you might find this interesting. I can think of other auto fan control applications for this as well.
Cheers!
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