I setup my SparkFun RTK mosaic-X5 in my attic, attached to an antenna on my roof via a short 1m cable for minimal signal attenuation. It’s working great, but I’m having second thoughts about placement in the attic due to heat.
The datasheet for the mosaic-X5 chip states that it’s good for operating temperatures up to 85° C. I believe the esp32 is the same, but I’m not sure about the other components.
The device webpage is showing that the chip’s temperature is 60° C at 9:40 AM on a sunny day in July, though it’s currently only 71° F / 21.5° C outside. I’ll keep an eye on that temperature as it gets hotter outside today, and I’ll pull the plug if it approaches 80° C.
The next best spot that I could put this thing would require a much longer antenna cable, and it’s in a much noisier EMI environment. I’m trying to avoid this if possible.
The datasheet for the actual mosaic module inside the device says 85C. I think you’re better off mounting the device indoors wherer it’s cool and mounting the antenna outdoors (not in an attic) where it gets a better signal.
Just use good quality coax between the two and keep it as short as possible.
Thanks for the input. I’ve moved it to my network cabinet, using the 10m TNC-SMA cable that was included in the package. Signal strength still seems fine, and it should be much cooler in there.
It had reached 63° C within about 30 minutes of my post, so temps were increasing fast. That clearly wasn’t going to turn out well. Wish I had thought about heat last night when installing it!
It’s good to keep cooling in mind but, in a given environment, it’s probably fully warmed up after 30 mins and 63°C is a long way from 85. A hot attic is perhaps(?) 50C/120F which seems cool enough to not contribute to the device temp too much.
Which isn’t to say I’m going into my own attic until maybe October. It’s basically an airless wave solder oven up there but with some wasps.
Thermal issues exist without question, and have units begin to lose functionality at 78C. I believe that airflow is an issue in my specific use case, with units failing in vented outdoor enclosures and 80f ambient temps.
Presently looking at an X5 RTK kit that’s measuring 83*C, but otherwise malfunctioning having lost all satellites. This unit functioned without question during the day but exceeded an operating temperature within 60 minutes of closing the enclosure door – hence my belief that there’s an airflow problem.