Hello Robert, sorry about that picture, didn’t notice it. I’ll have it replaced when I get the chance.
While a Geiger tube is just a two electrodes discharge tube and there is electronic charge requirements in that regards, the polarity is still important because of optimisations made in the materials used: the cathode is a large surface material responsible of electron emissions, while the anode works as a charge collector and is usually a tiny wire.
For some tips on installation, please see the article for model A, the facts there apply to KIT1 as well, except that the KIT1 doesn’t have an enclosure: https://www.uradmonitor.com/tips-for-installing-the-uradmonitor-unit/
If you plan to use a BME280, you’ll need it to communicate with the air outside. Some holes (at the bottom) are needed. For POE you can use a passive one like:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ethernet-PoE-Adapter-Injector-Splitter-Kit-Supports-5-12-24-48V-Power-over-/172236498811?hash=item281a18677b:g:8ykAAOSwepJXV9P1
Or one that has built in DC-DC converters to increase the voltage for transport and then reduce it back to 5V at the end.
Thanks for the note about the orientation of the tube, wasn’t sure if it was important. I originally based it on the photos from this blog post which shows the tube installed upside down: https://www.uradmonitor.com/model-kit1-production-ready/
I’ve swapped it around now and am looking for an enclosure to mount it in. Are there any specific requirements? Plastic, metal, height off the ground outdoors? Also if I was to add something like the BME280 would there need to be holes in the enclosure rather than having it watertight?
Regarding powering the device, something like this kit would be very useful: http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/cat-4794_TL-POE200.html
It allows you to inject a 12V into the spare cores on an Ethernet cable and pull them out at the other end (it’s an injector and splitter, and not a standard 802.3x POE).
I will get back to you on this. Preordering: yes. I am also considering setting up a second indiegogo campaign for A3, but first I need to finish the delivery of the model D on the current campaign.
Hello Ken,
The model A has a watchdog mechanism: if the network connection drops, it will reboot automatically after 10 minutes. This was added in the newer firmware versions, and your unit has it.
I’d need more details to know what goes wrong with your setup, and a first thing you could test is connecting the unit to a different internet router. Then is changing the power adapter with another one. We’d need this two ruled out before anything else.
L.EDIT: I see it up and running: https://www.uradmonitor.com/?open=110000E7
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This reply was modified 8 years, 11 months ago by
entaro.
Finally, official news released. See the blog post on the new A3 on https://www.uradmonitor.com/uradmonitor-model-a3/
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This reply was modified 8 years, 11 months ago by entaro.
I’m happy to announce a new model to the family of uRADMonitor detectors. The A3 continues the radiation monitoring functionality, while adding powerful sensors to map the air quality, a direction started by the more expensive, model D.
The A3 features a SI29BG (or other small size tube) radiation detector (also used in the 12XXXXXX model A units), a laser scattering Particulate ma sensor, an electrochemical formaldehyde sensor, a NDIR CO2 sensor and the BME680 from Bosch. It is a fixed monitoring unit, and uses a little fan to force the airflow. As so, it can measure a total of 8 parameters, related to the quality of our environment:
– background radiation
– PM1.0/2.5/10.0 particulate matter (0 .. 1000ug/m^3)
– formaldehyde (0..5ppm)
– CO2 (0..5000ppm)
– air temperature -40 .. +85C
– air humidity 0 .. 100% RH
– air quality / VOC 0..100mg/m^3 reducing gases and 0..10mg/m^3 oxidising gases
– barometric pressure 300 .. 1100hPa
The enclosure is anodised rugged aluminium. More information and pictures will be posted soon.
Hello, Radu!
I’m building a portable one based on STS-1 (that’s what I had nearby). I already have all the parts, I’m working now to position parts on the PCB
that suits my case (Gainta 828G-S-BC).
I know that you have used the same model on your previous prototypes, can you please tell me what factor to include in detectors.cpp? I will add STS1 in detectors.h too (at number 9).
This particular prototype would not be used online. When I would decide to become part of the community, I will use a tube that would allow uniformity between my measurements and the rest of the network.
As a result of the previous indieGogo campaign, we not only got the funding but also a few stretch goals. One was adding SDCard support to the uRADMonitor D, and can tell you – this wasn’t easy. First it involved redesigning the PCB and making enough space for the card slot. Then it was the software: spi communication, card physical layer then the file allocation table implementation.
Finally, after many tests, we have the basic card functionality up and running. The pictures shows one of the latest uRADMonitor D iterations, using a 16GB SDCard.
Now how much data will we be able to hold on those? Easy answer: all of it 🙂
Hi Mitch,
IMO the additional enclosures are not needed, but they surely bring additional protection to the unit. To answer the questions:
– The model A units were effectively tested in the -20 .. +65 Celsius interval with no impact on their functionality. That is -4 .. +149 F .
– No. Thin plastic enclosures are transparent to Gamma radiation.
– No, but care should be taken, as increasing the temperature over +65 might degrade the magnetic properties of the ferrite core, resulting in the high voltage inverter being unable to supply the required voltage to the Geiger tube. If you compare existing charts, you’ll see the direct link between temperature and the inverter’s duty cycle parameter – quite interesting.
– Free air no, but outdoors yes, as that is where a possible contamination can come from.
– Interesting question. In case of a nuclear incident, fallout covering the ground will be registered by the detector. Intensity varies with the square distance to the source. So the height requirement is in place to ensure consistent response all across the network, but if such an event occurs, this is the last thing to worry about. Snow can be disregarded, even if it affects the height, it is temporary.
Hello –
I’ve reviews the posted installation tips for the model A and distilled the physical installation requirements to:
• mount outside
• 1 meter above ground level
• avoid direct sunlight
• mount considering rain
I’ve noticed a number of other users have mounted their model A units in electrical and other enclosures. As I expect that my model A will be mounted for in its initial position for some time, I’m looking to mount mine for optimal performance and longevity. To be prepared for its arrival, I have a number of questions.
• What operating temperatures can the unit operate in?
• Does mounting the unit in an enclosure have a significant impact on its performance?
• If mounted in an enclosure, should it be aspirated for free air and temperature control?
• How important is free air?
• Are snow drifts that change the overall height to ground cover a concern?
Thanks for your time!
Excellent 🙂
I have been following the Model D build and have tried to keep the sensors as close as possible for my home build to allow the data to be comparable.
BBParticipant
Is there an API for these open source/DIY models to use yet or is the software side not open source?
Thanks Rob, yes, model D is open source.
Do you have any suggestions on VOC sensors alternatives?
Hi nox .
Yes, although I’m not sure which one is going to have it first , model C (no pollution sensors but with GPS), or an model D update.
But model D already has a generous separate EEPROM memory added there to store data while unit is offline.
