After building the Mark I cloud monitor, I realized that I really wanted something with power-over-ethernet (POE). The cheap network adapters that I use typically have an HR911105 (or similar) RJ45 connector which is not compatible with POE. I’ve looked but have yet to find any of these adapters with POE, so I decided to hack my own together. In theory, it should be easy…
What you need
- 2x MLX90614 thermopile sensors
- 1x Arduino Nano
- 1x W5500 ethernet adapter (I use the tiny one for this project)
- 1x IP camera cable
- 1x IP camera POE module (optional if your cable puts out 12V)
- 1x RJ45 connector
- a bunch of jumpers
- waterproof enclosure (I printed one)
- Some way to mount it over the ground
If you want to print out my housing, you’ll also need the following…
- A 3D printer (obviously) and weather-resistant filament (I use CPE/PETG)
- Silicone
- 1/4-20 nut
- tripod ball mount
How to do it
Although, for the most part you’ll be following the instructions in my MKI post, there are a couple of steps that are different. Instead of exposing the RJ45 jack on the W5500 to the world, you’ll be running the IP camera cable through the housing and then crimping an RJ45 connector onto the the Tx and Rx wires of the cable. The 12V and ground wires will be soldered directly to the Nano on the input power pins 29 and 30 (GND and Vin). That is if you’re sure that the on-board voltage regulator is good for 12+ volts.
More to come…