Myth busting on Outdoor Computers
I have been working with Open Source Wireless Mesh for the last two year developing techniques and hardware for using Locustworld OS. I have read a lot about how to make an outdoor MeshAP or in other worlds a Mini PC that works in the out doors. What I have read is a lot advice with no practiced experience.
The equipment I use is a mini-itx form factor using VIA chip sets or Intel chip set. Nevertheless it is basically a PC with out a keyboard, mouse or monitor.
Now after two years I can say that with the experience I gain one that the manufacturer recommendation is ultra conservative. Many of my units only have 0 C degrees lower limit. I have running my units in in -20 C units continuously with no problems.
Next temperature extremes and condensation. I was told that you have to put an inert gas into you units to prevent condensation happening. Well I didn't. I had in one day temperature variations of 25 degrees. I believe it was -15 C one day and the next it went to 10 C. I check the interior of my enclosures and found no water drops or condensation. And even when the temperature was 10 C one day then -3 the next the units show no frost build up on the walls. Myth busted condensation is not a problem if container are water tight or have fans circulating the air with in the enclosures.
My enclosures vary from Nema 4 to a simple Metal PC case wrapped in plastic. First to the PC. The PC I using are old Compaq slim lines prior to HP take over. These units have been abused. Rain, Snow, Heat, Wind, Vibration and they contain fans, and harddrives. I was told that these unit would be the first two go. And people were right. I put one unit in a plastic case and the gentleman who took care of this unit on his balcony used it for a drink holder. He spilled a few. Nevertheless Compaq do not like swimming in coke cola. Two years later Compaqs are still running strong with a simple plastic wrap. Myth busted PC can run in all temperatures as long as they are running continuously.
The next are Via boards and the Intel boards. Both are excellent and can hold up to extreme temperatures both cold and hot. With enclosures that have fans or no fans the temperature is roughly the same. So having units with moving parts like fans and hard drives have very little effect in a continuous operation.
Most people believe that a total solid state is better with low heat. I have not seen any advantage to solid state other than reduce failure on moving parts. The total solid state is expensive.
Conclusion: More observation is required.
The equipment I use is a mini-itx form factor using VIA chip sets or Intel chip set. Nevertheless it is basically a PC with out a keyboard, mouse or monitor.
Now after two years I can say that with the experience I gain one that the manufacturer recommendation is ultra conservative. Many of my units only have 0 C degrees lower limit. I have running my units in in -20 C units continuously with no problems.
Next temperature extremes and condensation. I was told that you have to put an inert gas into you units to prevent condensation happening. Well I didn't. I had in one day temperature variations of 25 degrees. I believe it was -15 C one day and the next it went to 10 C. I check the interior of my enclosures and found no water drops or condensation. And even when the temperature was 10 C one day then -3 the next the units show no frost build up on the walls. Myth busted condensation is not a problem if container are water tight or have fans circulating the air with in the enclosures.
My enclosures vary from Nema 4 to a simple Metal PC case wrapped in plastic. First to the PC. The PC I using are old Compaq slim lines prior to HP take over. These units have been abused. Rain, Snow, Heat, Wind, Vibration and they contain fans, and harddrives. I was told that these unit would be the first two go. And people were right. I put one unit in a plastic case and the gentleman who took care of this unit on his balcony used it for a drink holder. He spilled a few. Nevertheless Compaq do not like swimming in coke cola. Two years later Compaqs are still running strong with a simple plastic wrap. Myth busted PC can run in all temperatures as long as they are running continuously.
The next are Via boards and the Intel boards. Both are excellent and can hold up to extreme temperatures both cold and hot. With enclosures that have fans or no fans the temperature is roughly the same. So having units with moving parts like fans and hard drives have very little effect in a continuous operation.
Most people believe that a total solid state is better with low heat. I have not seen any advantage to solid state other than reduce failure on moving parts. The total solid state is expensive.
Conclusion: More observation is required.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home