Matrix user forums

For anyone who is interested here are links to the recent Elektor and Element14 seminar ran by Matrix on linking our Wireless LAN E-block to Twitter.

Seminar
http://www.element14.com/community/grou ... view=video

Q/A Writeup
http://www.element14.com/community/docs ... g-clubdocx

Elektor Article
http://www.element14.com/community/docs ... twitterpdf

Hi Ben

Interesting presentation. I had read your article about this in Elektor (Great Magazine) a couple of months ago.
This has started the cogs turning for a few ideas for future projects, especially the thingspeak site, I had not come across that before.

One question, what sort of sensor did you use to measure the wind speed?

Hi John,

To be honest I used a pot to simulate the wind speed sensor.

However to do this you could do one of two things using something that will spin in the wind and a photo reflector that can sense a revolution of the spinner.

a) use a external IC to convert the pulses from the photo reflector into an analogue voltage. I know there are devices out there that will do this but don't have a specific part number. This may be a bit tricky to get perfect.

b) use something along the lines of the digital frequency counter example available as part of the flowcode examples pack. Then do a conversion to convert the frequency into a speed. This should be much simpler to pull off.

This sensor may also work but I think it is designed more for use underwater.
http://www.matrixmultimedia.com/product ... PHPSESSID=

Hi John,

For windspeed (and other sensors) you could try hobbyboards.

Regards,

Jac

I would probably use small low voltage DC motor like to type in cheap radio controlled vehicles to make a wind speed meter. If you attach Plastic type scoops to catch the wind, then DC output from the motor is proportional to the strength of wind speed.
I know it may sound DIYish but that's part of the fun

@Ben good presentation I'm going to watch the one on the 16th if my memory serves me right?
I thought the application idea was brilliant. Especially the part when you can access the website, and control the camera!

Martin

Wouldn't it be easier with a magnet and reed-contact ?
Anyways, awesome article !

Nicolas

there is this item , , don't know much about it but maybe worth a look .

http://www.radioworld.co.uk/catalog/868 ... -6610.html

and i have a friend at work that has built his own weather station i will ask him monday on how he measured wind speed.

steve

Re Wind Speed sensor

Spoke to my friend at work on how he measured wind speed, what he was using and how he did it.

he has tried several of the cheaper anemometers and has had issues ranging from seized bearings, water ingress via cable access holes,and damage from a magpie trying to sit on it.
he has also attempted to make his own using 3 x tow ball protection covers (As air scoops ) fitted to a shaft and a slotted disk to a slotted IR optical switch.

Now using one of the following items (which are quite expensive)

http://www.biral.com/meteorological-sen ... l-0-100hz-

hope this is of some use , Have also attached DFX of slotted disk that he made.

Slotted IR optical switch,OPB460T11 RS 455-0874


Steve

Edit

A .dfx file is used in manufacturing proccess with cnc machines if you have access to that kind of thing. . .