August 23rd, 2013 (Set-up Day)
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Today, I am writing my Tumblr post with great joy as it from the E-MAGINE system in KACH! We woke up this morning and utilized our new soldering iron to make the final connections in the system.
We came across one engineering problem that we had to solve. The system has a thermal switch that was bought with the intention of turning on the box's fan once it has reached a certain temperature. Unfortunately, the wrong switch was bought, and we realized it stayed on by default and would turn off when it reached that temperature instead. Since keeping the system is cool is a large priority we had to come up with a workaround utilizing the tools we had in our possession. We drew a circuit diagram depicting that the switch would have to route to ground when it was below the temperature threshold and then route to the fan once it has reached that point. We were able to do this by using a relay with a switch based off a coil. When no voltage came across the coil, the fan would be routed to power. Once voltage came across it, the fan would route to nothing. By connecting the thermal switch through that coil, we were able to reverse the action of the switch by itself.
Once that was done, we packed it up in our van to relocate it to the room where it will be housed in KACH. Our driver, Bundi, came in the morning with the new lightning rod extensions we re-ordered and they came out perfect! Today was shaping to be a great day.
Once we were there, we did the final set of drilling on the roof-- making a hole through the room's ceiling with the new 50 ft coaxial cable we acquired yesterday. We also finally was able to put the lightning rods up after they had been down for days. We made the coaxial connection to the amplifier in the system, plugged the box up, and turned it on. After going through the router's setup, we placed a SIM card in it that we bought specifically for Dr. K and the home. And just like that, our first Google search came through! We pulled up the Michigan E-MAGINE, and not only did it work, but it came out fast! I couldn't believe that it worked on the first try. Although months of work was put into it, I still expected to have to go through some testing and troubleshooting before it sprung into action. We went outside the Amani home and were very impressed with the range the Wi-Fi signal spanned, able to reach multiple buildings in the vicinity.
The day wasn't over for the engineering team, however. The home is made of concrete and has multiple floors. The signal will be attenuated heavily by that material so an ethernet cable had to be run down a floor so that the manager's office will have access to the network as well. For the final time in the attic, we determine the place for a hole to be drilled through right under a window. It is then extended to the ground so that it can be placed in the lower window in the same column. It was then placed in the matron's office, and a hole through that office was made so that more cord could go to the manager's.
The goal had finally been reached! KACH has internet!
We also helped to install a fixture on the wall to hold our system. Once that was planted securely, we decorated it by covering the team's hands in paint and placing them on the sides and bottom. It was a lot of fun and an excellent way to unwind after getting done with our work.
Finally, we ended the day by unpacking cases of donations we brought with us from the US. I threw in a personal donation of the original Game Boy with around 20 AA batteries and the Pokemon Yellow game. I really enjoyed playing that game growing up so I hope one of the kids appreciates it.
Aside from making small improvements to the system's set up and perhaps working on auxiliary projects such as helping out the solar panel system, it is great to say that the engineering goal has been accomplished. Knowing that this will be used for education and entrepreneurship for the children makes me even happier. I am glad to know I helped in giving them a tool they would have otherwise had no access to at their home.
