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Solutions for wireless charging
To run the bGeigieNano as a fixed sensor for a longer period of time, it is required to keep the bGeigieNano charging at all times. Without charging the device the owner would have to remove the device as a fixed sensor and charge it manually. One way to charge the device, is to lead a cable to it. This will work if the device is in a safe location (inside for example), but won't work if the device is outside, in various unpredictable weather.
The Pelican case of the bGeigieNano is waterproof to keep the device safe. By wirelessly charging the device through the Pelican case, the owner of the device can not only keep their bGeigie safe but also easily take the device for a drive.
So the question is, in what way can the bGeigieNano be charged wirelessly?
- What hardware is available?
- Does the wireless charging affect the sensor?
What wireless transmitters are available to use for charging the bGeigieNano? A list of criteria is made to compare different transmitters from various makes.
List of criteria and reasoning
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Price- Price of the transmitter as of May 2019 -
Wattage- Transmitter Wattage -
Wattage- Transmitter Voltage -
Waterproof- Is waterproof (according to the retailer) -
Uses dock- Uses the safecast 3D printed dock -
Fits dock- Fits in the current dock design -
QI standard- Supports the universal QI standard -
Compatible- Charges bGeigie enough to run fixed mode indefinitely -
Notable +- Upsides for using this transmitter -
Notable -- Downsides for using this transmitter
For this experiment, the following wireless chargers were bought to try out
- Anker (Amazon)
- A standing charger, created for phones.
- EnergyPad (Amazon)
- A small and slim wireless charger, waterproof
- PowerPort Qi (Amazon)
- Another wireless charger, waterproof
- Inductive charging set (Adafruit)
- Charging set used in first prototype by Pieter.
- Universal QI (Adafruit)
- Wireless transmitter breakout board, used in earlier prototype of the dock
For the receiver, we used the Universal QIreceiver module from Adafruit. This One works with all Qi qualified transmitters. The (4.) Inductive charging set has its own receiver as part of the set, and is not QI compatible.
| Transmitter | Anker | EnergyPad | PowerPort Qi | Inductive charging set | Universal QI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price* | ￥2999 | ￥1600 | ￥1577 | $9.95 | $26.95 |
| Wattage | 10W | 10W | 7.5W/10W | 10W | 5W |
| Voltage | 5V | 5V | 5V | 5V | 5V |
| Waterproof | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Uses dock | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fits dock | - | yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| QI Standard | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The EnergyPad has the most potential, it's both waterproof and fits in the current dock design. It works well with the bGeigieNano. It is also Qi qualified, so it could be replaced with another charger of choice without changing the receiver.
Another option is the Anker, which is not waterproof but it's a dock in itself. This is a great option for a wireless charger indoors.