Wildlife Acoustics Power Kit User Guide

This guide provides instructions for the Wildlife Acoustics Power Kit.

Overview

The Wildlife Acoustics Power Kit is a combined solar panel and rechargeable, lithium-ion battery designed to power the Song Meter SM3 and SM4 families of recorders.

Rear Panel

The rear panel features several ports and indicators:

Battery LEDs: Four LEDs indicating approximate charge state.
Out 9V: 9V output port.
Out 6V: 6V output port.
Solar LED: Indicates solar charging status (red or green).
Status Button: Press to check battery status.
In 5V: 5V input port (for chaining kits).
Out 12V: 12V output port.
USB-A Out: USB-A output port.
USB-C In/Out: USB-C port for charging the internal battery or for power output.

Included Accessories

Accessory	Use
3511 barrel to 5-pin cable (2 m)	Connect the Power Kit's Out 6V port to a Song Meter's Ext Power port.
Ferrite collar	Required for use of the 3511 barrel to 5-pin cable.
Cable tie	Used for securing the ferrite collar.
USB-A to USB-C cable	Connect a USB-A power supply to the Power Kit's USB-C port to charge the Power Kit's internal battery.
Screw-in mounting arm	Mount the Power Kit to a wooden structure with the ability to pivot on the end of the mounting arm.
Plastic anchor plug (10 mm × 50 mm)	Used with the screw-in mounting arm for mounting into wood.
Gimbal head	Attaches to the mounting arm to allow pivoting.
Mounting strap (1.5 m)	Feed the strap through the back of the power kit and around a tree or post to fasten the Power Kit in place.
3511 barrel to 4017 barrel cable	Connect multiple Power Kits together to combine their solar generation and battery capacity.

First-Time Use and Charging

The Power Kit may arrive discharged to 25% charge or less due to air shipping regulations. Before first use, check the battery state and pre-charge if needed. Initial charging can take up to twelve hours, depending on the USB power source.

Pre-Charging

You can charge the Power Kit's internal battery using USB power and solar. It is recommended to fully pre-charge the battery via USB before starting a Song Meter deployment. This ensures the Song Meter stays powered through cloudy weather until the solar panel can recharge the Power Kit.

Pre-Charge the Power Kit via USB

The Power Kit's USB-C port functions as both an input and output. Use a USB cable to connect a USB power supply to the Power Kit's USB-C port to pre-charge the internal battery.

Using the included USB-A to USB-C cable with a 5V / 2A USB-A power supply will charge the Power Kit in approximately 12 hours or less.
Using a USB-C to USB-C cable (not included) with a USB-C power supply (20W output or greater) will charge the Power Kit in approximately 6 hours or less.

During charging, one of the four Battery LEDs will flash red. When the Power Kit is fully charged, all four Battery LEDs will display solid red.

Check Battery Status

Press the Status Button. The four Battery LEDs will indicate the approximate charge state of the battery.

Solar LED: ☀️ (Indicates charging status)

Battery LEDs: ????

Number of Lit LEDs	Meaning
0	Power Kit is fully drained. Charge before use.
1-2	Power Kit may not be able to power a Song Meter. Charge before use.
3	Power Kit is partially charged. Charging before use is recommended.
4	Power Kit is fully charged.

Using the Power Kit's Solar Panel

Solar charging speed depends greatly on weather, the angle of the sun, and the orientation of the Power Kit. In perfect conditions with no connected devices drawing power, charging from empty to full capacity can take 9 hours of direct, uninterrupted sun exposure. Solar charging may take significantly longer depending on conditions.

For best results, place the Power Kit in full, direct sunlight. The Solar LED will light up red or green to indicate charging. The color of the LED can vary depending on factors like the battery charge state and how much power is being drawn from the Power Kit.

Solar Panel Tips

Mount the Power Kit in direct sunlight with the panel facing the direction of the greatest sun exposure.
Free online tools can suggest the optimal compass direction and tilt for a solar panel based on your location and time of year.
More sun exposure each day allows the Power Kit to recharge better after cloudy weather.
Dust, pollen, or sea salt can inhibit the solar panel. Regularly wipe the solar panel with a clean, damp cloth.

Install the Cable Ferrite

The Power Kit includes a snap-on ferrite that must be installed on the 3511 barrel to 5-pin cable. This meets standards limiting electromagnetic emissions and protects a connected Song Meter against electrostatic discharge.

Installation Steps:

Create a loop in the 3511 barrel to 5-pin cable as close to the 5-pin connector as possible.
Snap the ferrite shut over the doubled portion of the loop.
Fasten the included cable tie tightly around the ferrite and the exposed segment of looped cable.
Trim the excess length from the cable tie.

Visual Description: An image shows a black ferrite bead clamped onto a cable, secured with a white cable tie.

Connect the Power Kit to a Song Meter

The Power Kit ships with a 3511 barrel to 5-pin cable compatible with Song Meters in the SM3 and SM4 families.

Remove all D batteries from the Song Meter. D batteries cannot be used simultaneously with the Power Kit.
Using the 3511 barrel to 5-pin cable, connect the Out 6V port on the Power Kit to the EXT POWER port on your Song Meter. The SM4 and SM3 families of recorders run more efficiently on 6V power than 9V or 12V.
Use a cable tie to attach the power cable to one of the mounting loops on the back of the Power Kit to prevent it from being pulled away.
Set the Song Meter's power switch to EXT.
If the Song Meter's screen does not turn on, press STOP to wake the Song Meter from sleep.

Mounting

The Power Kit ships with two mounting options: a mounting strap and a mounting arm. The Power Kit also supports many camera mounts via the 1/4 in.-20 threaded inserts on its back.

Using the Mounting Strap

Thread the strap through two of the rectangular openings on the back of the Power Kit. Ensure the lever on the metal buckle faces outwards when the two ends meet.
Wrap the strap around an object like a tree or post.
Press the lever on the metal buckle to open a gap and feed the free end of the strap through.
Pull the free end with just enough force to secure the Power Kit, then release the buckle lever. Using excess force can damage the Power Kit.

Using the Mounting Arm

Drill a pilot hole into the structure for mounting:
- For the conical anchor: drill a hole 10 mm in diameter and 50 mm deep. Press the anchor into the pilot hole.
- For direct screw-in: drill a hole 6 mm in diameter and 23 mm deep.
Screw the pointed end of the mounting arm into the pilot hole or conical anchor to secure it.
Screw the base of the gimbal head onto the exposed, threaded end of the Mounting Arm.
Loosen the wing bolt on the side of the gimbal head to allow the gimbal pivot to rotate freely.
Screw the camera mount bolt into one of the threaded inserts on the back of the Power Kit, then tighten the wing bolt to secure the gimbal pivot in place.

Chain Multiple Power Kits Together

You can connect multiple Power Kits in series to increase the total amount of available solar power generation and battery capacity.

Using the 3511 barrel to 4017 barrel cable, connect the Out 6V port of the first Power Kit to the In 5V port of the second Power Kit.
Using the 3511 barrel to 5-pin cable, connect the Out 6V port of the second Power Kit to the EXT POWER port of a Song Meter.
Connect more Power Kits in the same manner.

Note: Each Power Kit's Out 6V port should only connect to one other Power Kit's In 5V port or one Song Meter's EXT POWER port.

Safety

⚠️ Warning: Failure to follow these safety instructions may result in fire, electric shock, equipment damage, or injury.

Do not drop, disassemble, or puncture the Power Kit.
Do not submerge the Power Kit in water or allow it to heat up to 140 °F (60 °C).
If you notice the Power Kit bulging, melting, or heating up during charging or use, stop using it immediately.
The Power Kit contains lithium-ion batteries with a total energy capacity of 92.5 Wh. Follow all relevant rules and regulations for traveling with or shipping products containing lithium-ion batteries.

Disposal

The Power Kit contains lithium-ion batteries and other materials that can harm the environment if they are disposed of with household trash. If your Power Kit is non-functional or damaged, dispose of it at a recycling center that can process photovoltaic (solar) panels and lithium-ion batteries.

Specifications

Battery Capacity	92.5 Wh
Battery Type	Lithium-ion
Maximum Solar Power Generation	10 W
Output Voltage × Current	12 V × 2 A 9 V × 2.6 A 6 V × 4 A
Solar Panel Material	Monocrystalline silicon
Operating Temperature	-4 °F to 140 °F (-20 °C to 60 °C)
Weather Protection	IP66-rated, weatherproof
Time to Full Charge	USB-C input, 5 V / 2A: ~12 hours USB-C input, 20 W USB-C power supply: ~6 hours
Dimensions	10.24 in. × 10.63 in. × 1.97 in. (27 cm × 26 cm × 5.2 cm)
Weight	3 lb. (1.4 kg)
Input Barrel Cable	4017 center-positive
Output Barrel Cable	3511 center-positive

Declarations of Compliance

Electromagnetic Emissions and Immunity

The Power Kit conforms to the following standards:

ANSI C63.4:2014
47 CFR FCC Part 15 Subpart B (Class B)
EN 55032:2015 + AC:2016 + A1:2020 + A11:2020
EN 55035:2017+A11:2020
EN IEC 61000-3-2:2019/EN 61000-3-3:2013 + A1:2019

Hazardous Substances

The Power Kit conforms to the following standards in compliance with ROHS Directives 2011/65/EU and 2015/863/EU:

IEC 62321-1:2013
IEC 62321-3:2013
IEC 62321-4:2017
IEC 62321-5:2013
IEC 62321-6:2015
IEC 62321-7-1:2015
IEC 62321-7-2:2017
IEC 62321-8:2017

Warranty

The Power Kit is covered under warranty by Wildlife Acoustics for 1 year from date of purchase. See full details at https://www.wildlifeacoustics.com/legal-documentation/warranties.

Copyright Notices

This documentation may not be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including but not limited to photocopying, scanning, recording, taping, e-mailing, or storing in information storage and retrieval Systems without the written permission of Wildlife Acoustics. Products that are referenced in this document may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Wildlife Acoustics makes no claim to these trademarks. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, individually, as a series, in whole, or in part, Wildlife Acoustics, the publisher, and the author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, including any damages resulting from the express or implied application of information contained in this document or from the use of products, services, or programs that may accompany it. In no event shall Wildlife Acoustics, publishers, authors, or editors of this guide be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage caused or alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly by this document.

Wildlife Acoustics, Song Meter, and Kaleidoscope are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contact Information

Wildlife Acoustics, Inc.
3 Mill and Main Place, Suite 110
Maynard, MA 01754
United States of America
+1 (978) 369-5225
U.S. toll-free: +1 (888) 733-0200
https://www.wildlifeacoustics.com

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