I would like to build an underwater webcam, that I can put in the lakes nearby to check which one is most suitable for my diving ambitions today.
I would like to know Temperatur and Visibility and be able to "pull" a picture.
The picture is needed to judge visibility - I cannot think of a sensor that would tell me this.
To start, I would like to submerge the unit to 5m. - That makes around 0.5 bar additional pressure.
Where would I start?
Since the lakes are up to 2h drive away, and typically in valleys, I would like them to work as long ... well. As any other outside sensor device.
I thought about this:
ESP32 + Integrated Camera
Solarpanel (to be placed somewhere topside)
Send Temp once a day
Send Picture if SMS is recieved
All that data could be sent via sigfox, i thought - i dont know about their coverage in that particular area. I attached pictures of their coverage site. I cannot judge if that would permit to send a picture.
What do you think? Where are my faults? I did not buy anything yet, so I am fully open to anything to realise this.
For signal things - since I was thinking about solar charging, I need a cable anyways.
Then lets just use a regular Cat5 Cable or similar and use each copper wire however I like.
Other than that ...
When I was diving the other day, I took my phone with me and actually recieved a Call around 5m of depth. So its not like at 5m there will be absolutely no signal.
I was doing that somewhere else than the pictures, the signal there was WAY better than at those lakes.
I think the cable thing might be the most feasable. Does anyone have experience with Sigfox in the pink areas? It's probably gonna be a trial and error thing, but maybe someone knows sth. better ... ?
Thanks jremington for the input - will dig into that.
"I would like to know Temperatur and Visibility and be able to "pull" a picture.
The picture is needed to judge visibility - I cannot think of a sensor that would tell me this."
Sounds like an interesting project. Is the project going to be left in place or moved between sites? As others have said, the water clarity might be measured using a turbidity type meter or similar type device. You might use the forum search function and search for "ROV" for past underwater discussions including underwater video. Your project has several different parts, so you might start with the most difficult part and then move to the next part. Pick a part and start testing/experimenting.
I'd like to leave the project at site and have one in each lake I enjoy diving in. It might get lost / stolen / whatsoever, but a few bucks wont kill me. If I was to make the information available to the public, a small sign along with the "module" might convince people not to destroy / steal things. That is sth. I cannot influence, so I will not give this too much of a thought.
I see four parts:
Charging + Wiring
Sensors / Measurments
Sending Data
Housing of both solar panel and uw unit.
I know of "E/O Cords" for UW lights to connect torches with battery canisters.
Is there some other "underwater connection" someone can recommend?
jremington:
Do you actually expect us to believe that?
I do not expect you to believe that.
At the same time, I did not expect you not to.
However things are with this: I see no value trying to convince you or somebody else so for the sake of this thread, let's pretend I did not mention that. Deal?
