Postal Voyager Blog

POST BOX

Introduction

Each camera is powered by 4 pairs [in series] of AA batteries wired in parallel.

The relay from the Timer circuit is soldered directly to the connections to which the shutter trigger button [now removed] was connected so instead of the button creating the connection and firing the camera the relay switch does this.

Audio;    Edirol R-09  digital audio recorder.

The R-09 records directly onto an 8 GB Kingston SD card to allow for continuous and extremely long MP3 recordings and eliminate any mechanical recording noise associated with tape or disc based recording. The Edirol R-09 has built in high-grade stereo microphones.

GPS;    Ocellus S100 by QinetiQ

The Ocellus is an extremely high sensitivity GPS tracking device that contains it’s own independent power supply, motion sensors and a SIM card. The Ocellus conserves power by almost entirely powering down when it is sat stationary and powering up only when motion is detected.  It can be set to give position reports at varying time intervals which are sent as GPRS data packets or via SMS to the Foretrack website where the parcels progress is plotted live.  As I wanted to update the parcels positions much more regularly than is usual, in order to create as accurate a route map as possible Foretrack provided an additional battery pack, which plugs into the Ocellus and extends the overall battery life.

Timing Circuit;    2 x Broyce control timing circuits & a relay unit

The timer is made up of 2 parts, the off time can be adjusted to provide the desired interval between photographs and the on time is set to a minimum and sends a small pulse of power to switch the relay which creates a connection, causing the camera shutter to trigger. The timer circuits are housed in 2 tupperware containers packed with foam and polystyrene to reduce the clicking sound made by the mechanical timers.

Power supplies;    24 x AA batteries. 6 x 9 volt batteries

Ocellus internal rechargeable battery

Additional 5 volt external battery pack for Ocellus

Others;    Tupperware containers, foam & polystyrene

Lots of wiring, insulating tape and a few switches

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