Robert Brownell’s Work Log

Robert Brownell’s Work Log

  • Post author:
  • Post last modified:March 30, 2025
  • Reading time:37 mins read
  • Post category:Work Logs

Week 11 Work Report (Project Update 9)

Subtitle: Like Making A Quilt

What I Have Been Able To Complete This Week

  • Ordered the “right” cable to connect the charge controller to the solar panel
    • Required some splicing to make it work but such is life!
  • Managed the temporarily extraneous wires of the sub-systems
    • They will be useful later
  • Spliced more length onto the speaker wires
  • (Barely) assisted with the placement of a second hole in our case
    • If you’re sealing up one already, why not do two?
  • Managed the power system and audio cabling
  • Used blockers at access bulkheads to make cable “pull-proof” within reason
    • Electronics are precious
  • Disassembled speaker case assembly
  • Stripped stickers and mounted speakers on orange case
    • Super-sticky Velcro is the first angle of attack, but if it fails then
    • A long Velcro strap will allow us to mount the speakers onto the case only when it is closed

Things I did NOT get done

  • I did well this week!

To-Do List For The Next Week:

  • Prepare for the design check-off on the 31st (tomorrow)
  • Tighten up loose ends, verify speaker integrity
  • Put out any fires that may arise

Concerns About The Coming Week:

Week 10 Work Report (Project Update 8)

Subtitle: You Must Fail To Become Stronger

What I Have Been Able To Complete This Week

  • I got upset and bullied my way into getting my ordering done
    • I’m really sorry guys 🙁
  • This was almost completely pointless because I ordered the wrong parts
    • I was confused about a few changing project aspects (my fault) and screwed up the connector type
    • In my panic to get through this ordering process I have made many mistakes
  • Part of the order is still useful, namely the cable management components.
    • A broken clock is right twice a day
  • I have ascertained the correct cable type
    • Awaiting confirmation from teammates to avoid previous mistake
  • Determined and scheduled design checkoff
  • A lot of introspection and feelings of remorse
    • What point is there in being intelligent if you are ruled by your emotions?
    • Is it worth the price?
  • I am becoming more comfortable being in the lab, it’s a weird situation.
    • So many things can go wrong and I would be mortified if I accidentally broke something
    • Low confidence is a heck of a ball-and-chain

Things I did NOT get done

  • Manage Cables
    • Hard to do without the cable or management
    • My fault too
  • Order proper cables
    • See entirety of text above this sentence

To-Do List For The Next Week:

  • Return cables, order correct cable
  • Continue to cheer on the rest of the group
    • We’re getting night-vision working on the camera
  • Prepare for the design check-off on the 31st

Concerns About The Coming Week:

  • After the embarrassment of last week and the ordering/budget/upset/everything snafu I am hard pressed to imagine doing something more embarrassing
  • I hope that I do not outdo myself

Week 9 Work Report (Project Update 7)

Subtitle: Exciting Times Are Afoot

What I Have Been Able To Complete This Week

  • I was able to identify all of the connector pins while compiling the Amazon order
  • Measurements were taken
  • Different components are not tangled together anymore
  • I spent an hour or so poring over pictures of the power system, devising solutions to our wire problems
  • Weighing pros and cons of drilling a second hole through the case wall
    • Double the accessibility, but
    • Double the ingress point for moisture
  • Compiled information and created a list of parts on Amazon to order
  • I thought that ordering parts required an appointment, but I was both pleasantly and unpleasantly surprised to learn that knowledge.
    • When I arrived, the ordering computer was occupied by another student
    • Ordering computer is performing extremely poorly
    • I had to leave before I could order due to time constraints
    • Tomorrow I am going to try again, I really need to be able to order these parts

Things I did NOT get done

  • Ordering parts (for the second week in a row, see above)
  • Drilling hole (still not sure if it is a good idea or not)
  • I did not get a chance to test the solar panels

To-Do List For The Next Week:

  • Order parts ASAP (I’m gonna be trying every time I am off class)
  • Create a document to plot out management plans more specifically
  • Cheer on the rest of the group
    • They are killing it!

Concerns About The Coming Week:

  • The ability to order these parts being a roll of the dice
    • The struggle is real
  • I think we are okay otherwise

Week 8 Work Report (Project Update 6)

Subtitle: Bad New On The Doorstep

What I Have Been Able To Complete This Week

  • I was steered in the correct direction when it comes to the bat parts, apologies for my foolishness and thank you very much for your help (iykyk)
  • We are not to touch the bat parts, with thanks.
  • I figured out what cables we are utilizing, and a plan of attack on either splicing length onto existing cables, or ordering new ones directly.
  • I have an appointment for this upcoming Friday to order cables
  • I took stock of what cables and connectors we require
  • Took pictures of existing architecture to aid in the planning process
    • These pictures are also used for measurement using frames of reference
  • Tested battery and solar charge controller, both seem operational

Things I did NOT get done

  • Ordering deer parts (see above)
  • Test solar panel, as we are switching to an alternative to the flexible panel
  • Acquiring cable management components

To-Do List For The Next Week:

  • Figure out solar panel alternative that will fit within budgetary constraints
    • Current plan is to use the four bulky 25W solar panels
  • Adapt BOM to include connectors/wires for new solar capture arrangement
  • Order parts on Friday

Concerns About The Coming Week:

  • Like last week, I worry about the fact that solar panels are very expensive. I am fine with carrying/dealing with the bulkier physical components of our project if that means progress in our mission.
  • Not a lot more, the things that I have planned are pretty basic.
  • Reports from other sections of the project are very encouraging, which helps with stress a lot

Week 6/7 Work Report

What I Have Been Able To Complete This Week

  • Spring break made short work of working on the project much
  • I have researched and found the cable management solutions that I want
  • Reached out to get information on part usage
  • We met in person again! It is very nice

Things I did NOT get done

  • Determine if we have permission to use the inherited parts in the works
  • Test solar panel, charge controller and 12v to see if they are in operational condition
  • Try 3 on taking measurements of BAD internals to determine starting cable management.
  • Acquiring cable management components

To-Do List For The Next Week:

  • Figure out what cables I need in what place now that things are coming together
    • Pointed in the right direction in that regard
  • Order parts
  • Ascertain permission to use solar parts from bat project
  • Take some measurements of the placed components

Concerns About The Coming Week:

  • We might not be able to use the parts, and solar panels are very expensive.
  • Everything else feels good so far this week!

Week 5 Work Report

What I Have Been Able To Complete This Week

  • Met all team members in person
  • Helped prepare CDR presentation slides
  • Was informed that the parts we were given are government property, but that it might not be a big deal. I have to figure out if we are going to be able to use those parts.
  • Aforementioned parts were used in the Quincy Mine for the bat project
  • Set a meeting time! We shall see how it goes!

Things I did NOT get done

  • *Measurements of BAD internals: BAD in extensive disarray, components relocated or being used etc. Measurement at this point is impractical.* This is still true. Many components are not present. We may not be able to use the parts we inherited: if this is so, measurement of those may be pointless.
  • More detailed and consistent theme for CDR presentation. My contributions were somewhat sloppy at times.
  • Order cable management parts (I forgot about it completely)

To-Do List For The Next Week:

  • Determine if we have permission to use the inherited parts
  • Test solar panel, charge controller and 12v to see if they are in operational condition
  • Try 3 on taking measurements of BAD internals to determine starting cable management.
    • Measure what I can, no stress!
  • I need to become comfortable enough to utilize the lab more effectively. Period
  • Acquiring cable management components:
    • Cable / Velcro ties
    • Shrink tubing
  • Communicate more effectively with team members

Concerns About The Coming Week:

  • We might not be able to use the parts, meaning our budget will go forth and multiply
  • General anxiety; My scatterbrained self needs to get organized
  • That I will forget important things in the swirling chaos

Week 4 Work Report

My idea of our device’s function:

What I Have Been Able To Complete This Week

  • Found OSHE hours of operation
  • Completed solder training
  • Became passingly familiar with the lab
  • Ascertained solar panel and moved to our station (mostly so people know we are using it)
  • Learned new methods of waterproofing external wiring, especially concerning the connection between the solar panel and the charge controller
  • Taken pictures of relevant connectors between the panel and charge controller
  • Prepared for measurement taking required for effective wire management

Things I did NOT get done (and why, because of course I have an excuse)

  • Measurements of BAD internals: BAD in extensive disarray, components relocated or being used etc. Measurement at this point is impractical/impossible.
  • I did not spend as much time in the lab when I went there as I would have liked. I have been working very hard on this, but my social anxiety paired with the detachment from the process thus far has made it extremely stressful to go to the lab alone. I don’t really know anyone, and I am older than most students which has made me an outsider. It’s hard coping with that, especially knowing it’s my own fault.
  • As far as I am aware, meeting time is still unscheduled. It seems like the others are working together effectively and that is good for the project.

To-Do List For The Next Week:

  • Communicate with team. Reignite efforts for effective communication.
  • Try 2 on taking measurements of BAD internals to determine starting cable management. I will now focus exclusively on individual measurements of the following components (if I have access to them during lab time):
    • Case
    • Battery
    • Charge controller
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Number pad
    • Speakers
    • Amp
    • Solar Panel
  • I need to become comfortable in the lab. My work is going to suffer if I cannot handle functioning in the lab alone. This leads to the next item on this list.
  • Try 2 on investigating recyclable or spare components in the OSHE lab:
    • Cable ties
    • Velcro ties
    • Solar panels
    • Spooled wire
    • Basic tools
  • Learn about OSHE lab policies

Concerns About The Coming Week:

  • Team meeting time is still not set, as far as I am aware.
  • General anxiety

Week 3 Work Report

  • Searching Amazon/Google Shopping have produced results that are highly expensive.
  • Researched flexible solar cells, finding the following:
    • Cells are difficult to manufacture
    • Most cells within budget are less “roll up like a scroll” and more “flexible to deploy in the field”
    • Most technological advances like perovskite cell technology are not readily available
  • Watched videos about budget wire management, most of them said:
    • Velcro cable ties are an excellent solution to most management projects
    • Velcro solutions are easy to adjust and remove
    • Shrink tubing is good for cables that do not need to be modified
    • This tubing is also great for weather-resistant cable management
  • Searching Amazon has returned a good merchant that has several options for 100W solar solutions
    • Pros of purchasing are merchant accountability due to rigorous support policies, increased perception of product quality, comfort due to history, and free shipping on orders surpassing a set amount
    • Cons are price. Solar panels are relatively expensive on Amazon
  • Temu is a sketchy website, but their options are significantly cheaper
    • Pros are price. You can’t beat half-price and free shipping on all of their orders.
    • Cons are sketchiness, poor quality of progress, meme status of Temu as being a gamble on a good day, personal mistrust

To-Do List For The Next Week:

  • Take measurements of BAD internals to determine starting cable management:
    • Case
    • Battery
    • Charge controller
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Number pad
  • Investigate recyclable or spare components in the OSHE lab:
    • Cable ties
    • Velcro ties
    • Solar panels
    • Spooled wire
    • Basic tools
  • Learn about OSHE lab policies

Concerns About The Coming Week:

  • Team meeting time isn’t locked down
  • I have no clue as to when I am allowed to go to the OSHE lab
  • General anxiety

Week 2 Work Report

  • Battle lines are drawn; Our deer dissuader can largely adapt the backbone of the Bird Attractant and Deterrent (BAD)
  • “Signed up” for soldering training on Tuesday, January 28th
  • Initial research into budget-friendly flexible solar cells with a combined >100 watts
  • Extensive wire management needed; Research into budget-friendly solutions
  • Initial sketch/mockup of device

To-Do List For The Next Week:

  • Research sustainable wire/cable management
  • Research wire/cable management strategies
  • Research flexible solar cell technology
  • Take the info gathered above and do a basic search on Amazon
    • Find the cheapest alternative on Google
    • Cost/benefit analysis of purchase options

Concerns About The Coming Week:

  • Team meeting time isn’t locked down
  • Noob status makes me a little nervous/uncertain, but I will deal with it!

Week 1 Work Report

  • Determined role within the group
  • Met virtually with group members

Week 0 Work Report

  • Nascent, we all arrived together