On Sat, 2011-07-16 at 23:10 -0700, Karl Cunningham wrote: > Dave wrote: > > I'd like to use as many off the shelf devices as possible - PC boards > > etc... if possible. > > > > Being a typical customer, they want to keep the costs down but they also > > want it to work and operate reliably. > > > > I've had good luck using conventional industrial controls on machines > > that operate outside, but I have always been able to include a panel > > heater to minimize condensation issues. > > > > Do you guys have any suggestions? > > My son worked in Antarctica for several years, designing and installing > power equipment at field camps. Here's what I remember from that: > > 1. Use gel-type lead-acid batteries for generator staring. Keep them > topped up with a solar panel when sitting. > 2. If there is a block heater on the generator engine, connect a battery > charger to the same power source, so the batteries are fully charged > when it's time to start it. > 3. If it's really cold, -20F or below, put the batteries in an insulated > box and use a little of the battery/solar panel juice to heat the > batteries slightly. > 4. Use solid-state hard drives. Much better for vibration and cold. > 5. Computer fans probably won't start cold, but they'll warm up and run > in time to keep things from overheating. > 6. Stick with name-brand computer mother board and RAM. They may have > more conservative timing margins which will be more reliable over a > wider temperature range. > > Karl
I'm impressed by the advice that comes from this group. Good thoughts. On overnight reflection on the problem I think it might be easier to put the computer and monitor in a portable case which get stored in a decent environment and taken to the job and mounted on the rig. Open the lid and that exposes the keyboard. Monitor is external and clips on. Once the rig is up and running then power can be supplied to keep things warm/cool. Take a look a some of the packaging for mil field computers/equipment. HTH Dave > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > AppSumo Presents a FREE Video for the SourceForge Community by Eric > Ries, the creator of the Lean Startup Methodology on "Lean Startup > Secrets Revealed." This video shows you how to validate your ideas, > optimize your ideas and identify your business strategy. > http://p.sf.net/sfu/appsumosfdev2dev > _______________________________________________ > Emc-users mailing list > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AppSumo Presents a FREE Video for the SourceForge Community by Eric Ries, the creator of the Lean Startup Methodology on "Lean Startup Secrets Revealed." This video shows you how to validate your ideas, optimize your ideas and identify your business strategy. http://p.sf.net/sfu/appsumosfdev2dev _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
