Peripheral Equipment

Version 4.2 by Jack Dent on 2025/07/22 13:09

Solar Equipment

solar panel front.jpg

Solar panel back.jpg

TypeSolar panel
Size (L x W x H)38 x 25 x 4 cm
Weight1.1 kg

Solar regulator.jpg

Type

Solar Regulator

Weight0.2 kg

GPS

GPS (2).jpg

TypeGPS antenna
Weight0.1 Kg

 Guralp antenna.jpg

TypeGuralp Antenna
Size (Diameter x Height)6 x 27cm
Weight0.3Kg

Cables

LPR power adaptors

The LPR recorders were created with the use of a custom lead acid battery in mind. These batteries consisted of a charge controller and multiple flat battery cells encased in a metal box. However, over time these batteries degrade and are no longer used. In place of the original batteries, other kinds of lead acid batteries that are readily available at stores are now used, making them more reliable, accessible, and versatile.  

Valve regulated lead acid batteries can be used within the LPR, plugged into where the old batteries would have been. For larger projects, an external battery case alternative can be used, connecting to the external power port where a solar panel is typically attached. AGM lead acid batteries may be ideal in this scenario, and a battery in the place of the old one is not needed. 

To make use of these batteries, special power adaptors have been created. The battery plug that is found on the LPRs consists of 6 pins; E and F power the LPR from the connected battery, and A, B, C, and D charge the battery.

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Only pins A and C handle voltage coming from the external power port through the LPR, as B and D are designed to charge the battery only from a battery charger. It is important to note that power coming in from the external power port goes directly to pins A and C to charge the battery within the case. No power goes directly to the motherboard, so an LPR cannot be powered from the external power port without dealing with the 6 pins.  

Using a standard lead acid battery (typically between 10-30 amp hours) in place of the old model, an adaptor that allows power from the external power port to reach the battery must be used. As the new batteries that are being used only have 2 connectors (positive and negative), the adaptors have been constructed so pin A feeds into E, and pin C feeds into F. For the sake of tidy cabling, D is connected to pins C and F, and B is connected to pins A and E. Put simply, all the positive pins are connected, and all the negative pins are connected.

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Given the correct voltage through the external power port, this adaptor will allow the battery to function in the same way as the previous model; it will power the LPR as well as be charged without issue.  

In the case of an external power source being used (for example, a solar panel connected to a car battery and standard 12v solar charge controller), no battery need to be used in place of the old model within the case. However, a dummy plug must be used to feed external voltage (pins A and C) into the LPRs system (pins E and F). This is constructed the same way as the previously described adapter, though without the option to plug a battery into it. This is to avoid confusion of attaching a battery inside the case and providing more parts that could break the system. 

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Cables

posthole cable 2.jpg

posthole cable.jpg

Type 
Weight1.0 Kg