I want to ask something about Arduinos. I've used an Arduino Uno with an Ethernet Shield W5100 and an Arduino Mega 2560 with an Ethernet Shield W5100 as well. I've built a prototype using these components, and my boss decided to produce it for the public, as they were the ones who instructed me to create it. Are Arduinos reliable for long-term use, considering they run for approximately 10 hours a day? If not, what should I do, considering I'm just starting as a recent graduate and don't know how to create something from scratch? I've only used buyable components and inserted them into the Arduino, like sensors, GPS modules, etc., and programmed it to send HTTP requests to PHP.
Yes, they should be....If you worried buy established models of the Arduino family.
The Uno R3 should be a pretty decent choice, a huge selection of software.
If you still worried test the boards in their final environment.
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An Arduino just uses standard components on a standard PCB - exactly the same as if you were to create something yourself "from scratch".
There is nothing inherently more or less reliable about an Arduino board than any other similar board.
So long as you pay attention to operating parameters, and keep within all limits, you'll be fine.
In particular, pay attention to the heat dissipated by the regulator.
Whether your software is reliable for long-term use is an entirely different question ...
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Hello eschewer
Take a look here to get some ideas:
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Yes. Considering most consumer eletronic products only last a couple of years anyway, why be different from everybody else.
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Arduinos are fine. I've had some running in industrial environments continuously for months without problems. You can even buy arduino-based controllers at AutomationDirect: https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/shopping/catalog/programmable_controllers/productivity_open_(arduino-compatible)#
The bigger problem is likely to be the Ethernet shield. From what I recall, they all use the same MAC address. If this is still the case, your organization will need to purchase a block of MAC addresses and reprogram them.
TBH, considering the cost of Mega + a shield, I'd start looking at a Beaglebone, which comes with Ethernet built in and runs Linux, which can only make your networking easier.
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Be mindful of component stresses. Vibration, heat cycling, heat saturation, connection stresses, EMI, etc. Create the environment that the electronics need to last a long time and they should last.
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I have a Mega with W5100 Ethernet shield in the ceiling cavity, running 24/7 for six years now.
Used for automatic lighting. PIR, dawn/dusk, web page etc. No problems.
The W5100 is old. The new shield uses the W5500.
An ethernet shield is a power-hog.
Just don't power the setup with 12volt on V-in or the DC socket.
The 5volt regulator of the Mega will protest.
Leo..
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You don't say what your product is, but if it can communicate, for a saleable product you must design in security from the start. There are moves to put regulatory requirements for security on smart products. I'm not clear the extent to which normal Arduino products cater for this.
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