Hi folks! New here

I'm just starting out and my knowledge of electronics are very limited.

My idea is to build a couple of small thermometers that i can use for homebrewing. Ranges are from 0 to 100C, but the most important is 50-80C during the mash.

Is it possible to get better precision than +-0,5C?
How small is is possible to build a portable thermometer, can i use a smaller battery than 9V that seems to be the most common?
I've seen some projects using attiny, what do you think of that? Is using an IC the most simple way to build a thermometer?

My main goals are:
- As small as possible.
- Easy to read 7-segment display.
- Waterproof probe so i can measure temp in liquids.
- Precise (is under +-0,5C possible?)

I hope a project like this can be a great learning process.

 

Is using an IC the most simple way to build a thermometer?

The simplest way is to take a $10 bill to the hardware store and buy one. Oddly, you seem to want a learning experience.

OK. You have a lot of choices, but "smallest" and "hand made" are not going to happen at the same time. Those Asian factories have hobbyist people completely whipped in the "tiny" department.

You can make a thermocouple probe. That is really small. A thermistor comes in second, an LM34 comes in third. The digital display will have to be separate from the probe if you want the business end small.

There's a start. I have to go put the laundry in the dryer now.

ps, 1/2 C is easy enough. All the retail products can do that.

 

The size is not that important, but ut would be fun if it could be done smaller than using a Arduino.

Probe-size is not important so the easiest to begin with is the best for me.

This is mostly for fun and learning so retail is not an option

 

The size is not that important, but ut would be fun if it could be done smaller than using a Arduino.

Probe-size is not important so the easiest to begin with is the best for me.

This is mostly for fun and learning so retail is not an option

Have a look here before you make up your mind.

 

Arduino? I'm the local crank on, "Y U put MPU in everything?"
Look at these datasheets. If you don't want to build the display yourself, you can get the ICL7107 already mounted to a display for $10.50 the last time I bought one. If you're a serious masochist, you can build the ICL7107, one amplifier at a time.

 

tracecom had a good idea. $4 for a Harbor Freight meter (if you catch them on sale) and one chip. Same chip I named.

I hope you are beginning to realize this can be as difficult or as easy as you want it. I remember when we made these out of one transistor at a time and the 8088 was the most advanced chip on the planet.

 

Have a look here before you make up your mind.

Looks fun, i'll try that too

Arduino? I'm the local crank on, "Y U put MPU in everything?"
Look at these datasheets. If you don't want to build the display yourself, you can get the ICL7107 already mounted to a display for $10.50 the last time I bought one. If you're a serious masochist, you can build the ICL7107, one amplifier at a time.

That looks great! My plan is to build a few so maybe i can start with the mounted kit and build more stuff myself as my knowledge grows.

tracecom had a good idea. $4 for a Harbor Freight meter (if you catch them on sale) and one chip. Same chip I named.

I hope you are beginning to realize this can be as difficult or as easy as you want it. I remember when we made these out of one transistor at a time and the 8088 was the most advanced chip on the planet.

ICL7107 + LM35 feels like a good starting point, maybe a bit too hard but thats better than too easy

You don't happen to remember where you bought ICL7107 + display?

 

Yeah, I'll look that up. BRB.
What country are you in?

Kind of like this. It's called a panel meter. I'm looking for one with the digital volt meter chip in it.

 

Yeah, I'll look that up. BRB.
What country are you in?

Kind of like this. It's called a panel meter. I'm looking for one with the digital volt meter chip in it.

Thanks, i live in Sweden.

Another thing, what battery do you recommend for this project?

 

Here it is. Jameco.
Use the battery the meter needs.
Looks like it wants a 9V battery.

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_175951_-1

 

Here it is. Jameco.
Use the battery the meter needs.
Looks like it wants a 9V battery.

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_175951_-1

Thanks a lot! I'm very thankful for all help and the quick answers.

 

You went from, "I don't know" to "That's the plan" in less than 2 hours.
Not bad for a beginner.

 

I'm so eager to get this started!
I have some time now to read this site and "the art of electronics" until my parts arrive

 

Look at the DS18S20 or DS18B20. Very easy to interface to with an mcu.


What is "during the mash"???

 

What is "during the mash"???

That's the step that converts grain starch into sugar, which is subsequently fermented into alcohol. Mashing is the hardest part of the process ( as I understand, never did it before ) and anyone who can get consistant results is a brew master.

 

Look at the DS18S20 or DS18B20. Very easy to interface to with an mcu.

Minor problem..there is no MCU in this design.

 

...
My idea is to build a couple of small thermometers that i can use for homebrewing. Ranges are from 0 to 100C, but the most important is 50-80C during the mash.
...

HomeBREWing?

Alcohol producing yeast are killed in that 50-80'C temperature range.

However it's an ideal temperature range for home DISTILLING.

 

I made a 6-digit 7seg LCD display some while ago- with 2 controllers.
Each 3 digit display has serial 3-wire interface.

The PCB is small, but no so small, after all.

And it is not totally cheap. A character LCD module would be cheaper.

 

HomeBREWing?

Alcohol producing yeast are killed in that 50-80'C temperature range.

However it's an ideal temperature range for home DISTILLING.

No yeast involved in the mashing process, my fermentation temperature ranges from 18-24'C for ale.

I made a 6-digit 7seg LCD display some while ago- with 2 controllers.
Each 3 digit display has serial 3-wire interface.

The PCB is small, but no so small, after all.

And it is not totally cheap. A character LCD module would be cheaper.

Neat! Do you some more documentation on that build?

 

No yeast involved in the mashing process, my fermentation temperature ranges from 18-24'C for ale.



Neat! Do you some more documentation on that build?

Yes, there will be a new blog entry soon.
There are two controller chips under the displays (for 7seg decoding/LCD drive)

For a thermometer, you'd need a 3rd chip on a extra PCB.

The controllers can use 2v to 5v. PIC32 which I use here is 3 volts only.

What about i2c temp. sensors? They are small.

I already have c code to drive the display pcb with a master controller. it is an easy spi-like protocol (serial data transfer).