[Blake] just finished a gas sensor suite built from Gadgeteer parts. The three sensors are the cylindrical towers along the left hand side of the assembly. The one at the top (with the orange ring) is an alcohol sensor. The middle one senses ammonia and the lower sensor measures air quality. Also rolled into the mix are temperature and humidity sensors.
You can collect a lot of data with this type of setup. To keep it organized [Blake] used the ThingSpeak interface. Using the NIC in the upper right he uploads the measurements for real-time graphing. The setup is explained in detail in the video after the break, including a test with some cleaning ammonia.
We haven’t tried out the Gadgeteer system for ourselves yet. But you’ve got to admit that the ribbon cable connector system the family of parts uses really helps to keep a rather complicated setup like this one nice and tidy.
Gadgeteer devices seem great but aren’t they extremely expensive?
If you value your time and want to be able to quickly & easily build prototypes or permanent projects then there is not a better choice. Maybe slightly more expensive than other options but most Gadgeteer mainboards typically have much more powerful than your typical mcu also. So, if you just want to get something done and not have to build every module yourself then it’s a great choice. Of course, you can create the modules yourself also if you choose. I encourage you to give it a try.
They are slightly more expensive but they are also by far the easiest & quickest way to prototype a complex project. So, if you value your time and want to get something accomplished without having to build every piece of the hardware yourself then there is no better choice. Of course, if you want to build the modules yourself that is very easy to do also. I’d encourage you to give it a try.
Ooops! I thought the first post failed. If there’s any way to delete the double post, please do so.
Gadgeteer Parts List
Cerberus Mainboard – $29.95 http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/349
Gas Sensor – 3 @ $14.95 http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/393
What is cool about this sensor is you can plug almost any MQ sensor you want into it.
LED 7C Module 3 @ $6.95 http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/422
Temp and Humidity Module $17.90 http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/344
Barometer Module $33.00 http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/321
Ethernet ENC28 Module $19.95 http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/333
USB Client DP Module $24.95 http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/280
which was over kill as I could have used a $10 module
When I’m done with this project I simply unplug everything and its ready to go for my next project, like pieces of Lego, so I’ll use these modules in tons of different projects.
Cool project! Great job!
Nicely done.
Be aware that the alcohol, ammonia and air quality sensors have a pretty limited sample range.
I like that. Looks like prototyping done easy. With that kind of CPU power he could expand on that setup and never run out of mcu steam. Good work!
I am planning to make something like that with not only the gas sensor, but sadly, i am still waiting for CO2 sensor from futurlec. Two months and nothing. Don’t buy anything from them, they’re scam.
Does anyone know where to get a standoff board like the one used to mount the boards? It reminds me of an optical table but much smaller made for pcb standoffs.
That is a Tamiya 70172 Universal Plate L (210x160mm), you can get them just about anywhere and they work great for Gadgeteer projects as the holes line up perfectly. For some projects I use the smaller Tamiya board (60 x 160 mm) or go here http://devonboard.com/ for a wide selection of project boards.
thanks!
Gadgeteer uses a 5mm grid standard. The Tamiya Universal Plates work well. http://stevepresley.net can also make custom ones for you.
LOL! Great minds think alike!
I see another good use for this project is to test the water quality for aquariums just draw a sample of water into a chamber bubble air though it and test the air