Protype testing
*Gilbert Mwangi and Kenneth Odhiambo*
Severe Weather Consult: Piloting first Local-made Lightning technology in Africa
Lightning causes property destruction and claiming peoples lives. In East Africa, this impact is more felt near Lake Victoria and Lake Kivu which are listed among the lightning capitals of the world.
Prevention and mitigation are possible where there is a system that communicates accurate information to locals on when strikes are about to happen, and advice on the safety precautions to take.
SWC is rolling out the first low-cost system lightning detection system for a commercial application. The system monitors lightning strikes, analyzes the data and disseminates it to users in near real-time.
The Low-Cost Technology:
SWC uses low-cost electronic sensors that detect the lightning distance from sensor location. Multiple sensors are installed in different places. Using low-cost communication electronics, the data is transmitted to the cloud, where it is analyzed to track lightning progress in an area. The information, with actionable steps, is then delivered to users by phone.
Prototype Lightning Sensor:
Our lightning sensor, still under development has these features:
• Captures lightning information
• Automatic: It captures data, and transmit information online via cellular network
• Solar powered
Hi Gilbert, thanks for sharing this. Could you also indicate what issues you encountered when developing this device? What were the difficulties? What did go as planned, what didn't? And also what do clients think of this device? or is it still in a testing phase?
Would like to see some more pictures on how it looks with the casing closed. How does it look like in the field? How do you attach it so it remains in place?
Hello Friso, Thanks for the question; I tried to attach multiple pictures on Akvor page, I am not sure why it never worked for me. The above link has the full picture of how the station will be in the field.
Hello, Titia,
Thanks for checking, There is a lot of issues that came up outside what we had anticipated. The main one was how to ensure the circuit will remain powered on when on the field. A few components blew up multiple times during testing. We will be updating on some major changes we made recently which we believe will stabilize the station when it is on the field.
Hello, Titia,
Thanks for checking, There is a lot of issues that came up outside what we had anticipated. The main one was how to ensure the circuit will remain powered on when on the field. A few components blew up multiple times during testing. We will be updating on some major changes we made recently which we believe will stabilize the station when it is on the field.
Hi Gilbert,
unfortunately AKVO does not allow for multiple photo's to be uploaded in one post... You could make multiple short updates, or link to a place where you keep your photo's (Flickr for instance, or your own website). Hope that helps!
Best, Karin