hi dc42,
thanks for your very informative reply. i think it going to take me a while to digest all of that, there are a few things i dont understand and will have to google. like the "analog comparator function".
Preferably, use the internal 128KHz RC oscillator, which requires programming the fuses. If you don't want to program the fuses, you can still get a substantial power reduction by writing to the clock prescaler register, which allows the clock frequency to be divided by up to 256.
can either of these be done with the standard arduino board?
- How much current does the PIR detector draw? You could power it down during daylight.
ive just done some testing with my multimeter as the datasheet is good for nothing.
it draws .055mA - .075mA while testing
it draws 1.11mA when its sending the HIGH signal.
its power is currently connected to an arduino pin and is only "powered up" by a HIGH to that pin (only when the light is dark)
So you'll need to get the average current consumption (including PIR) down to 45uA for a lithium 9v battery to last 3 years.
i never expected to be able to get 3 years life. i just saying that because thats what nightingale got. I would be happy with 6-12 months .
ARRCH:
ive found some diode, but am having trouble with them. 4 types, the markings are hard to read but from what i can make out these are what i have:
1N4534A
1N4138AF
1N94 could be 1N9_4_?
4148T could be T4148 or 8T141 etc (its in a loop)
Yellow Brown White ( this one is marked with bands, brown could also be dark purple or black, hard to tell)
I have tied googling all these but to not much avail. do any of these sound like what you are talking about?