Although circumstances will vary from site to site, a non-penetrating square-based stand with a 2″x72″ mast (search the internet for “EZ NP-72-200”) has been used frequently.
Note that a guy-wire kit, 2) pieces 14+ inches long of channel strut, related pole clamps and nuts and metal ground stakes are also recommended when using a mast that is not cemented firmly in the ground.
A pollen sensor runs off of household power (110v US/220v EU) that is connected to a 12v DC adapter. That connection from household power is typically made by running an outdoor-rated extension cord to the power supply. Their connection needs to be waterproof and a special enclosure is often used.
The example below is not one we’ve tested but serves to illustrate the kind of product that is capable of waterproofing the connection.
The maintenance cycle is once every 30 or 45 days, although we’ve had devices running longer without physical intervention.
Once the consumable tape roll is empty, you’ll remove the collection lid by hand, unscrew the bolt using the allen wrench, counter-twist and remove the take-up spool, and dust off the parts using a moisture-free electronics aerosol duster.
DO NOT USE HIGH PRESSURE AIR FROM A COMPRESSOR THAT IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN INLINE DIRT, MOISTURE AND OIL FILTER!
Full instructions for reassembly are available in our user’s guide.
While we recommend a data cable going directly from the device to a router, for some customers that has not been practical. They were able to get their airborne particulate data by connecting their pollen monitor to a wireless bridge.
We won’t recommend or endorse a wireless bridge that may be required for your application, but here is one that at least indicates the kind of device you’ll need to source. Try this one for long-range needs.
If you want to try making an LTE/mobile bridge connection, a device like this or this may work. Like the prior suggestions, these remain untested in our application and you’ll need to look to your own technicians for support connecting to the internet.
There are many variables so a specific answer cannot be provided regarding data exchange, but 25-48kbps (about 3 gigabit/month) is a working ballpark range to consider as you look to connecting a pollen sensor to a network.
Power-over-ethernet (PoE) is NOT supported.
Essentially these turn the pollen sensor into a wireless device, so you’ll need to have a wireless router for it to talk to. Also note that you’ll need to plug this device or one like it into a household power supply, and don’t forget to get a product rated for exposure to the outdoors if that applies!
Our device takes ambient air into its interior where it’s examined with a microscope and photographed. These images are processed using complex algorithms to determine what kind of particles were in the air.
In a way, this is very similar to what happens when trained professionals examine microscope slides that have been exposed to dirty air. The difference, of course, is that our process automates that tedious, time-consuming and often expensive effort.
The data that an Automated Pollen Sensor generates is accessible through several channels:
- Device owners can log into their portal using their web browser. There they’ll be able to see images of pollen, dust and mold (or, if they have clean air, nothing!). They’ll also be able to review graphs of what was in the air by day/week/month/quarter and year. Note that in order to log in you’ll need to create a username and password and provision the device. See the User’s Guide for additional information.
- App users can see data coming from a device near them (or of their choosing) by using a mobile app.
- Software developers and data resellers can license pollen data from the network of particulate sensors through an API
The Pollen Sense Automated Pollen Sensor is getting smarter all the time. It uses machine learning to decide if a particle is dirt, pollen, or mold. The list is growing…aside from silicates and mold, we are currently teaching it about the following airborne pollen allergens:
- Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
- Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
- Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
- White Ash (Fraxinus americana)
- Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
- American Elm (Ulmus americana)
- Red Alder (Alnus rubra)
- White Mulberry (Morus alba)
- Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
- Black Willow (Salix nigra)
- Hardy Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
- Box Elder (Acer negundo)
- White Pine (Pinus strobus)
- Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis)
- Olive (Olea europa)
- Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)