Will we be notified when sensors are shipped? If so, when and how? Thanks.

Given we might not have provided address info, in the paypal we paid with, will you be asking for addresses when it's ready to ship? Naturally, we wouldn't want to go posting our street addresses online, especially as the forum posts are Google searchable.

All we'd need is for some advertising firm, (you know, like all those pesky spammers, or the snail mail equivalents) to do a little web crawling through Google or the like, to come up with a list of addresses, to add to their junk mail files. The post office delivers enough junk mail, just with all the shopper newspapers and the like they litter everyone's mailbox with, in town here :o

Hi,
looking forward to the kit!

Is the list of parts we will have to buy you posted earlier (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/27006170/Radioactive/KIT/Rad2.60_preliminary_BOM.ods) already the final version? Or will you post it when you are done?

Does the V2.60 detector work ok with Rpi and similar small boards running Linux variants?

Hey boss, time to ship those sensors we all paid for, no? This is all for your benefit - get some help and get 'em to the post office already. You're not real great with updates and communication - needs to be a bit more professional. Thanks.

Hey boss, time to ship those sensors we all paid for, no? This is all for your benefit - get some help and get 'em to the post office already. You're not real great with updates and communication - needs to be a bit more professional. Thanks.

Uhh yeah dude I've seen them - my name is on the list of paid sensors. The idea of this project is a good one and may even be useful in the long run but this guy is in way over his head and seems to be juggling one too many balls in the air. He's been at it for 3 years and still hasn't got his act together. Every milestone he thinks he accomplishes is accompanied by weeks or months of waiting for something else or the parts aren't in or the dog ate his homework. If I didn't already have 20 euros in it I'd just bail and not care.

I got my earthquake sensor 4 days after I ordered and paid for it - those folks have their act together, are prepared and are always in step with what they say they are doing. That's pretty much why I'm complaining - hope that helps.

I think there is no problem. All of us know before ordering that kits will be sent no earlier than March.

Hey boss, time to ship those sensors we all paid for, no? This is all for your benefit - get some help and get 'em to the post office already. You're not real great with updates and communication - needs to be a bit more professional. Thanks.

I will also add - the people organizing this, as well as the participating grid of users are volunteers. Their approach to date appears to be keeping the devices as affordable as possible. It is true that they could be mass produced as a more complete unit, but the price would also increase accordingly.
____________

Hey boss, time to ship those sensors we all paid for, no? This is all for your benefit - get some help and get 'em to the post office already. You're not real great with updates and communication - needs to be a bit more professional. Thanks.

Thank you all for your input and commentary. However you all make my point perfectly - this project is being run in an amateurish pat time way. Compare this project to any number of other ones in which you may be participating - SETI, Rosetta, Folding, Einstein, etc. - they are all run professionally, without major delays and little or no excuses or litanies of explanations as to why things just aren't or can't be happening. Adios to a project that could have been a good one but was ill-prepared to start when it did. Peace.

well another problem with a complainer solved

don't let the door hit you in the back on the way out

ps: can i have your detector??

I have noticed that in the part list is I2C expander for LCD. Also there is note:

I2C Expander for LCD (slightly modified, mechanical compatibility only with type shown here)

Thank you all for your input and commentary. However you all make my point perfectly - this project is being run in an amateurish pat time way. Compare this project to any number of other ones in which you may be participating - SETI, Rosetta, Folding, Einstein, etc. - they are all run professionally, without major delays and little or no excuses or litanies of explanations as to why things just aren't or can't be happening. Adios to a project that could have been a good one but was ill-prepared to start when it did. Peace.

I'll post about BOM.
It will work with USB Host with Linux/Windows OS's on board so with RPi also.

Ok excellent, thanks!!

Hello Szopler,

can you tell a week when u can send out the Sensor KIT ?

Tamara
____________

My Display arived last Week.
So now i hope that the KIT comes also soon.

Tamara
____________

Hello Szopler,

Thank you for the Lst, so i can look whats here and order the rest whats needed.

Have a good time and please writ if there is something new.


Tamara
____________

Thanks for the part list...

What will be maximal current in inductors? I can choose inductor with load limit 0,285 A or 0,56 A. What do you recommend me to buy?

Hey I like the enclosure...
And i think black ist the better color ;-)

Can u put the USB into the Kit ?
If i Order it i have to take 100 pcs
____________

Thanks for schema. It clears a lot things.

Can I use 8 bit expander with one i2c address (display will use lower 4 bit for adresing) or is neccessary to use 16 bit expander with two banks?

And which is the i2c adress like?

Thanks
Zdenek

I need an USB to connect it to my PC

I dont want sold a cable to the detector ;-)
____________

I worry that not so soon as everybody expect due to PCB production timetable (it will be sent to me not earlier than 17th of March).
Probably deliveries of the PCB and enclosures will synchronize or even enclosures will arrive earlier...

But here we have:
>>> Bill of materials <<<

Thats great to read from you.

I think it shpuld not be a problem to assemble it when we have all parts.
Most parts are unique and have her place. The rest is numbered and so it should be clear whre they go.

When its ready i think is the important moment when we boot it first time ;-)

Have a good Time

Tamara
____________

Just for clarification:
Do we need to buy some electronic parts for final assembly on ourselves?
Do we have to solder some of the parts during assembly?

Hmm, that will be interesting, as I don't have a soldering gun where I live, in apartment now, and all that, far from the living arrangements I was in, in years past.

I could probably buy one as long as it isn't too expensive, just need to find a way to do it, where things won't prove too messy wrt a move out inspection down the road. Perhaps if I move the microwave off the kitchen counter, to make some room there... Unless it's possible to use clamps/clips in some of the places one would otherwise solder, in which case I could do it at my desk. Just wouldn't want to end up melting mettle onto the thing. It's a rather expensive wooden desk. Also don't have any garage or basement space where I live anymore...

I think someone can help you to solve this problem ;-).If you have a bit more time, i can help you.
greetings

Thanks, though exactly what would you propose?

If I get all parts (PCB, components) from you, i can solder it together with my one.

I would like to order for a Kit or a ready interface, like some of us I assume.
Wouldn't it be a good idea to be able to subscribe somewhere on a wait list and get a regular status update online: waiting, now you have to pay, paid, waiting for parts, assembled, ready to be delivered,...etc

I know that you are doing your best, just trying to streamline this a bit more.

Hi Krzysztof, thanks for your prompt answer
I will wait for the next batch then
unless you would have too many PCB... I could take care of the rest myself.

Keep on the good work!

Hi.New batch is not available yet but i allready send 20 Euro payment via PayPal.Just to be sure i will be on the waiting list.If price will change i pay more then.

user name: aro222
user identyfikator: 7814

Thank You

Might not be best idea, last batch was 27 euros? Though that wasn't a black box kit... When they have a design, supplier, and all, they'll know what the cost to them will be.

tbh, everyone there has their hands full, not only with their own lives, but the geo-political situation. Putin has Poland very nervous now, due to the events in the Crimea, and also a past incursion into Georgia. Needless to say, though this isn't really a news site, they're looking to advance their plans of installing a missile shield, having moved plans ahead for settling on a supplier to build it for them. They could probably tell you more, and largely from experience, if they cared. If I was living there, I'd have a lot on my mind as well, which would leave me feeling a bit uncertain, tbh, for myself.

In any case, it has tended to be awhile between batches, and a new reference design could leave it a bit different, especially if they're able to go back to white tube v3 detectors in the next batch. It does mean not knowing when one will be able to get a detector, but it's advisable to keep an eye on this project periodically to see if the ordering has opened up ;)

@Szopler:
I guess the three additional kits have been allocated. I do not see the message that concern them.?
Can you confirm that?

Regards.
____________

Thanks for your response and your job.

Regards.
erik.
____________

Is there any technical difference between this badge of KIT and the batch before or is it just a layout thing (box than tube)?

Is there any technical difference between this badge of KIT and the batch before or is it just a layout thing (box than tube)?

In your opinion, what is the most economical way to order the various parts (as listed in the BOM) needed for this kit? Overall it is a small volume of parts required, and I don't happen to have any on hand. You can PM me specific links or sites. I'm located in Canada.

Thats cool to read !
Then im happy to be withe the next sendout.

Today my I2C modul arived ;-)
____________

Great! Looking forward to becoming green :O)

Just to get ballpark ETA, are they going to Canada / North America by boat or by plane?

I want to post a warning to members. There are some spam messages going around where people are claiming that a charge or a change has been made to your Paypal account or other type of online account, and they are trying to trick you into thinking that some suspicious activity has occurred on your account. Do not give them any of your personal information. Login directly to your account. Do not use any links in the spam message.

Check your account directly to verify if there has been any suspicious activity.

I've seen some complaints about the amount of time and the 'professionalism' of this project. I want people to understand that this sensor is not an off the shelf item that can be commonly found on the Internet. Building a radiation detector and marrying it to a computer interface for a worldwide monitoring network is very new.

The comparison of this project and the QCN (Quake Capture Network) is not a good comparison. Seismic sensors or accelerometers are a more advanced technology in the marketplace and do not require the more complicated hardware of a radiation sensor.

A radiation sensor requires a Geiger-Mueller tube and a high voltage power supply needed to operate it. There is also a pulse detection circuit and additional electronics needed to interface it to a computer. This is a much more complicated project and is still mostly experimental. There will probably be some modifications and updates to refine the design to make it easier to build and more reliable and accurate.

The seismic sensor of the QCN project is already a fairly mature technology and is only about the size of a small Post-It note pad with a cable connected to it. Some of those sensors are given out free because they are subsidized. This project is probably done under different financial circumstances and is done from a country that has a more restricted access to the needed parts.

The data obtained from this network will likely be mostly background radiation levels and will detect a rare radiation incident and its spread. That doesn't happen very often, but it can be catastrophic when it does happen as seen with the incident in Japan. The seismic network will detect more frequent occurrences of earthquakes, but a worldwide system to detect radiation fallout is needed too.

I searched around on the Internet for something similar to what we are building here and I found pre-assembled detectors with USB for about $150-$250 or more.

Hello and thanks for the kit, arrived yesterday !

One small remark for builders, the transfo is not marked on primary vs. secondary on the PCB. Check the plans to mount it the right way.

I'll get all extra pieces needed and try to post a picture with it mounted or someone else can do if quicker ... :)

Good Luck for building the kit.
Cheers,

Frédéric.

Hello
my Kit has arrived.Thank you!
regards Jens

Thanks, the Kits has arrived.
greetings Holger

I received my kit today. Looks like a fun project. Thanks.

Hello can you tell us which module and where you bought it from ? We might actually go for the same :)

I've also some trouble finding only one USB header ... and small details.

The Kits arrived yesterday. Thanks.

Hi,
my KIT is here^^ Thank you.

I´ll buy 5 new detectors, if the next batch is in progress. ;)

got mine, too
thank you !!

Could someone post a picture of his ready assembled and working kit when it's done? As an aid for the rest of us to see if we have assembled it correctly.
I would very much appreciate it.

Could someone post a picture of his ready assembled and working kit when it's done? As an aid for the rest of us to see if we have assembled it correctly.
I would very much appreciate it.

Oh, i must have overlooked that info.
Happy Easter to you, too

Happy Easter to everybody :-)

I received my kit a few days ago but I have several questions related to Radioactive@Home Kit BOM .
For C1,C4,C5,C6,C7,C14 and C16 capacitor of 100 nF capacity , is it possible to replace them by MKT type one instead of monolithic ?
Is it possible too to put ceramic monolithic ones ?
Which voltage is needed ?

got my kit (TN, USA) thanks!
now I just have to order the rest of the parts and find time to assemble it!
looks like a good project.

My Set is here since last week, i ordered all and started soldering with what i had here.

I Post Pics if i have the ordered pieces, so it maby helps others to build their set.
____________

Busy building my BOM on Farnell components, I might have found all required pieces. I come up to 41 EUR and need 50 to be able to order as a private customer. I need to share command with someone else in Belgium or north of France(easier to meet when command arrives)

For reference if it helps. I didn't build it yet but ready to order following :
Short Ref. Price
BUZ buzzer 2309140 € 0,69
C1,
C4,
C5,
C6,
C7,
C14,
C16 100nF 1457705 € 1,17
C2,
C3 15pF 669647 € 1,00
C8,
C15 100µF 8126160 € 0,64
C9 22pF/500V 2218625 € 0,27
C10,
C13 220nF/630V 2112870 € 1,00
C11 4,7nF 2395775 € 0,02
C12 22pF 1740549 € 1,22
CON1 RS232 2356178 € 0,38
CON2 ISP 2356131 € 0,55
CON3 Mini USB-B 1841176 € 2,10
D1 LED 2112102 € 0,15
D2 UF4007 1467503 € 0,44
DISP1 I2C 2218947 € 14,31
DZ1,
DZ4 5v1 1612363 € 0,13
DZ2,
DZ3 3v6 1861444 € 0,04
Socket IC1 1674786 € 1,54
IC2 LM358N 2295980 € 0,27
Socket IC2 1674784 € 1,10
L1 10µH 2333630 € 0,19
L2 22µH 511614 € 1,90
R1 470 2329942 € 0,34
R2 10k 2329855 € 0,29
R3, R4 2k2 2329912 € 0,34
R5, R6 68 2329966 € 0,34
R7 1k5 2329891 € 0,34
R8 470k 2330154 € 0,40
R9, R13 220k 2330063 € 0,40
R10 200k 2330058 € 0,40
R11 68k 2330206 € 0,40
R12,
R18 5M1 9469273 € 2,75
R14,
R21 100k 2329987 € 0,40
R15,
R16 10M 2329991 € 0,55
R17,
R19 33k 2330110 € 0,40
R20 22k 2330068 € 0,40
SW1, SW2, SW3 tact switch 1813692 € 0,71
T1,
T2,
T3 BS170 2101401 € 0,90
VR1 10k 9353186 € 2,16
X1 20MHz 1842224 € 0,38
Total : € 41,01

I choosed the minimum quantity with direct availability. Some components are sold by pack of 50 :(

Ready to adapt for more kits if it helps.

"There is an error at PCB - Zener diode marked DZ4 should be mount in the way shown at schematic."

I do not noticed that there is a difference between PCB and schema (?)
____________

My ordered parts are sendout today via www.conrad.de

I pay 25,14 € but its al litle more than i need for the detector..

Menge Artikel Artikelbezeichnung
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2 ST x 451657 KERAMIK KONDENSATOR 15 PF
7 ST x 531855 KERAMIK KONDENSATOR VS PRINT X7R 100 NF
1 ST x 531975 KERAMIK KONDENSATOR VS PRINT COG 22 PF
1 ST x 451673 KERAMIK KONDENSATOR 22 PF
2 ST x 459097 KONDENS. MKS4 0,22µF 630VDC 20%
1 ST x 448502 VS-KONDENSATOR AXI. 4.7NF X7R K 100V T/A
1 ST x 738560 MINI-USB-EINBAUKUPPLUNG 2486 01
1 ST x 184560 LED 3MM ROT LD 30
1 ST x 710228 MAGNETISCHER SUMMER KPX-G1205B-6339
1 ST x 162084 DIODE UF 4007 DO41 DIO
2 ST x 180050 ZENER-DIODE 500 MW 3,6 V DIO
2 ST x 180092 ZENER-DIODE 500 MW 5,1 V DIO
1 ST x 155600 IC OP-VERST. LM358N DIP8 STM
1 ST x 501881 HF-DROSSEL SBC; 10 UH 10%
1 ST x 534528 DROSSEL 0.22 UH
1 ST x 403296 WIDERSTAND KOHLE 0,25 W 5% 2K2 BF 0207
1 ST x 403377 WIDERSTAND KOHLE 0,25 W 5% 10K BF 0207
1 ST x 403210 WIDERSTAND KOHLE 0,25 W 5% 470R BF 0207
2 ST x 418110 WIDERSTAND METALL 0,6 W 1% 68R BF 0207
1 ST x 419583 WIDERSTAND METALL 1 W 1% 1K5 BF 0414
1 ST x 419885 WIDERSTAND METALL 1 W 1% 470K BF 0414
2 ST x 419800 WIDERSTAND METALL 1 W 1% 100K BF 0414
2 ST x 419842 WIDERSTAND METALL 1 W 1% 220K BF 0414
1 ST x 421014 WIDERSTAND METALL 0,6 W 1% 200K BF 0207
1 ST x 418471 WIDERSTAND METALL 0,6 W 1% 68K BF 0207
2 ST x 420450 WIDERSTAND METALL 0,6 W 1% 10M BF 0207
2 ST x 418439 WIDERSTAND METALL 0,6 W 1% 33K BF 0207
1 ST x 418412 WIDERSTAND METALL 0,6 W 1% 22K BF 0207
3 ST x 700006 KURZHUBTAST. -HORIZONTALER EINBAU
2 ST x 158950 TRANSISTOR BS 170 TO92 FSC
1 ST x 445206 QUARZ 20 MHZ HC-49/US-SMD
1 ST x 425869 ABBIEGEVORRICHTUNG 5 FACH
1 ST x 607499 KUPFERDRAHT VERZINNT 0,6MM 40M

____________

By the way,

this: 2 ST x 459097 KONDENS. MKS4 0,22µF 630VDC 20%

Kondensator does not fit.
The dimension are to big. The width is aprox.1mm to much.
In my KIT only one of this have room :-(. I am testing a second version.

The second problem is the space for the geiger tube, if you try to solder both
capacitors, you bending the geiger tube....

next message, if i fixed this problem

greetings
Holger

by the way, i use also Reichelt for buying components ;-)



http://www.image-hoster.de/preview.php?file=c25001e5dd1d651a74643f0cc.jpg

Thanks for sharing info ...

I'll check the size of the 2 "big" capacitors.

PS : any idea for the LCD display ?

Hi blaugrau,

thats not nice that they are so big.

I dont Order by reichelt.de because they dont had all Parts availibel as i want to buy them.

I have here an Kondensator that fits in there but its not the right one.

Its an older part from other orders.

If i recice my Part I look how bid my Kondentator is.
____________

Hello again, after some check on the data sheet, the capacitor I choose (Farnell ref: 2112870)
is even wider then yours (conrad ref: 459097): 9mm thick instead of 8mm for the one on Conrad.

Thanks !

PS :

VISHAY BC COMPONENTS - BFC233922224 - CAP, FILM, PP, 220NF, 630V, RAD ref Farnell 1413839 is only 7mm thick.

It have to be 8mm !

I fount this via richelt store and its from the manufakturer.




I hope my parcel come today then i can tell u what sice it this one from conrad.


____________

Here the link to the one in 7mm thickness :

http://be.farnell.com/vishay-bc-components/bfc233922224/cap-film-pp-220nf-630v-rad/dp/1413839

Busy building my BOM on Farnell components, I might have found all required pieces. I come up to 41 EUR and need 50 to be able to order as a private customer. I need to share command with someone else in Belgium or north of France(easier to meet when command arrives)

For reference if it helps. I didn't build it yet but ready to order following :
Short Ref. Price
BUZ buzzer 2309140 € 0,69
C1,
C4,
C5,
C6,
C7,
C14,
C16 100nF 1457705 € 1,17
C2,
C3 15pF 669647 € 1,00
C8,
C15 100µF 8126160 € 0,64
C9 22pF/500V 2218625 € 0,27
C10,
C13 220nF/630V 1413839 € 1,06
C11 4,7nF 2395775 € 0,02
C12 22pF 1740549 € 1,22
CON1 RS232 2356178 € 0,38
CON2 ISP 2356131 € 0,55
CON3 Mini USB-B 1841176 € 2,10
D1 LED 2112102 € 0,15
D2 UF4007 1467503 € 0,44
DISP1 I2C 2218947 € 14,31
DZ1,
DZ4 5v1 1612363 € 0,13
DZ2,
DZ3 3v6 1861444 € 0,04
Socket IC1 1674786 € 1,54
IC2 LM358N 2295980 € 0,27
Socket IC2 1674784 € 1,10
L1 10µH 2333630 € 0,19
L2 22µH 511614 € 1,90
R1 470 2329942 € 0,34
R2 10k 2329855 € 0,29
R3, R4 2k2 2329912 € 0,34
R5, R6 68 2329966 € 0,34
R7 1k5 2329891 € 0,34
R8 470k 2330154 € 0,40
R9, R13 220k 2330063 € 0,40
R10 200k 2330058 € 0,40
R11 68k 2330206 € 0,40
R12,
R18 5M1 9469273 € 2,75
R14,
R21 100k 2329987 € 0,40
R15,
R16 10M 2329991 € 0,55
R17,
R19 33k 2330110 € 0,40
R20 22k 2330068 € 0,40
SW1, SW2, SW3 tact switch 1813692 € 0,71
T1,
T2,
T3 BS170 2101401 € 0,90
VR1 10k 9353186 € 2,16
X1 20MHz 1842224 € 0,38
Total : € 41,07

I choosed the minimum quantity with direct availability. Some components are sold by pack of 50 :(

Ready to adapt for more kits if it helps.

First Test are negative :-( (I think this is normal...)

DZ4 is located on the backside, also the second capacitor (for testing only)



The LCD is a QC 1602A, maybe does not fit. I can only see one line without any character



No oscillator pulse are seeing on the oscilloscope, also no HV.

By the way, maybe my problem is, that the µP does not work stand alone and must be programmed ore initialized?

thanks for answer

Hi Szopler,

And is the LCD needed for the µP to start ?

Thanks.

Frédéric.

Thanks, for answer. Ok. I will try an other LCD.

Connection to Server are possible, but it needs one hour to load the Project...(Maybe not all works fine, i just in testing...9

Greetings

Today my Parts arive, but i have to work tomorow, sow i dont know when i can start to solder and make Pics for u.
I try to do it at the evenings or next weekend.


The Problem with the C10 and C13 is the same like blaugrau told.

I have an Idea but i try it befor i can tell it.

Have a nice time.
____________

Hello

it works ...

but not stabile...

Logfile:
Found sensor v2.60
1380384,374,2014-4-24 20:45:51,n,2.6 minutes,143.3 cpm,0.84 uSv/h
1613451,431,2014-4-24 20:49:51,n,3.9 minutes,14.7 cpm,0.09 uSv/h
1857475,504,2014-4-24 20:53:51,n,4.1 minutes,17.9 cpm,0.10 uSv/h
2097504,564,2014-4-24 20:57:52,n,4.0 minutes,15.0 cpm,0.09 uSv/h
2337527,644,2014-4-24 21:1:52,n,4.0 minutes,20.0 cpm,0.12 uSv/h
2575581,712,2014-4-24 21:5:53,n,4.0 minutes,17.1 cpm,0.10 uSv/h
Trickle sent
3300658,901,2014-4-24 21:17:54,n,3.9 minutes,15.2 cpm,0.09 uSv/h
3532714,972,2014-4-24 21:21:54,n,3.9 minutes,18.4 cpm,0.11 uSv/h
Error reading data: Device communication error
Error reading data: Device communication error
Error reading data: Device communication error
Lost sensor, trying to reopen....
Error writing data: Device communication error

does anyone have the same Problem ?
tomorrow I will test the sensor with another Boinc PC
regards Jens
____________
http://radioactiveathome.org/scripts/graph/draw.php?hostid=6849

My sensor works too.

But display backlight don't work. Anyone has the same problem? I use I2C expander.

My sensor works too.

But display backlight don't work. Anyone has the same problem? I use I2C expander.

*Solved*

Backlight was shining if I shorted with wire pin 2(VDD) and 15(+backlight). Then I try connect another display with another expander and it works. I probably damaged expander during assembling.

I have a question:

If i read the scheme correctly I can replace the two 5.1M resistors with one 10M and one 200K. This could be a shopping list optimization because both these resistors are already in the list. Is it right?
____________

Not really, resistors have their max voltage limit. With two 5.1M resistors the voltage across them splits in half. If you change them to 10M and 200k, the first one will work at nearly 400V which is probably far out of spec for a resistor of this size.

Hi folks,

I have a question or two.

1. Do C10 and C13 have to be polymer? What about ceramics? Here's a bunch that are actually quite small: http://tinyurl.com/kitc10c13
2. Does D2 have to be ultra-fast?
3. What are the exact functions for each switch? I ask because on some of my detectors I won't be using the display nor the buzzer
4. What are the mechanical spacers for?
5. Is there a need for R10, R11, R13, R19 and R20 to be rated at 0.6W? I can understand the need for 1% but not 0.6W.

Thanks!

s/

Is the kit easy to put together by someone with little or no experience?
Is it a complete kit or would I have to purchase extra parts?

Thanks in advance, Im very tempted to buy a kit and give this project a go.

HI,

I have tried may V2.6 Sensor on a Raspberry Pi.
I get no Response from the Sensor, a V2.51 Sensor work perfect on the same Pi.

I there an Update for the Sensor.xml ?

Thanks

PS
i got this message ( tail -f /var/lib/boinc-client/slots/1/stderr.txt)
Lost sensor, trying to reopen....
Could not find any of the devices listed in sensors.xml: The specified device wa s not found

Thanks

Hy, Yestarday the last parts arived an i finished my detector, but now it shows since yesterday everytime 0,00 uSv/h

I thought it should show some like 0,08 from natural radiation

an i dont know for what are the buttons at the top ?
The midle shut down the Display the others do nothing
____________

Left switch does nothing,
Center - changes display settings (disp on,backlight on/disp on,backlight off/all off),
Right - changes indicators (buzz/buzz+led/led/off).

If the System show 0,00 µSv maybe the HV Voltage dont work
Check the solderpoints.
The Geigertube have a + side.
Is the Transformer correct solderd

I think its all correct, but i cant measure the voltage at time. I have to look for an Multimeter first.

Here are some Pics:






____________

Hi friends,

my kit is not running
I can´t find any soldering mistakes
display is on but no charakters
also no high voltage
maybe i have killed the atmel with a link on con2
5-6
3-4
is this possible ?

How I can test the atmel without LCD

Thanks for helping infos

hwkarikola

Tamara, you have badly soldered DZ4 diode. See: "There is an error at PCB - Zener diode marked DZ4 should be mount in the way shown at schematic."

Hi Tamara, have a look to the pictures from my older Post. There you can found a easy way to solder DZ4 on the backside of the pcb.

greetings

Hi Szopler,

LCD Display is SainSmart IIC/I2C/TWL 1602 with Expander solderd
T2 is solderd
R3/R4 are not mounted

on Atmel pin 9/10 I measured 20 Mhz
but no PWM Puls at pin 5 so T3 is not working so i have no HV
DZ 4 ist correct.
When i connected to USB Port the device Manager have no reaction.
What is the funtion from Atmel pin pin 15/16?
Maybe I need CS ( chip select ) for starting ?
My mess equipment is a Multimeter and somtimes a Oszi.

Tomorro morning I will try the switch in the middle.

thanks with greetings

Karikola

Hi, first to the DZ4 i have solder it the way like shown at schematic.

@Szlopler, i will mesure how much volts are there but i dont have a multimeter here.
____________

Hi folks,

I have a question or two.

1. Do C10 and C13 have to be polymer? What about ceramics? Here's a bunch that are actually quite small: http://tinyurl.com/kitc10c13
2. Does D2 have to be ultra-fast?
3. What are the exact functions for each switch? I ask because on some of my detectors I won't be using the display nor the buzzer
4. What are the mechanical spacers for?
5. Is there a need for R10, R11, R13, R19 and R20 to be rated at 0.6W? I can understand the need for 1% but not 0.6W.

Thanks!

s/

Please!! Check your PCB before soldering.

My PCB has errors. It was etched wrong.

Good luck to all.

Hi all,

finaly my sensor work, but I have problem with usb communication. Strderr:

Radac $Rev: 585 $ starting...
sensors.xml: 7 nodes found
Found sensor v2.60
703563,272,2014-5-15 12:42:8,n,3.2 minutes,85.6 cpm,0.50 uSv/h
Error reading data: Device communication error
Error reading data: Device communication error

WIN7 64bit OS show correct HID device.

I have checked all 3 resistors and 2 zener diodes, but there is no problem.

Where should be the problem?

Thanks
Z

PS: Also, in USB3 host OS detect unknown device.

Radac $Rev: 585 $ starting...
sensors.xml: 7 nodes found
Found sensor v2.60
703563,272,2014-5-15 12:42:8,n,3.2 minutes,85.6 cpm,0.50 uSv/h
Error reading data: Device communication error
Error reading data: Device communication error

Hi, first to the DZ4 i have solder it the way like shown at schematic.

@Szlopler, i will mesure how much volts are there but i dont have a multimeter here.

Hey, now i have mesured the Voltage.

At the Geiger Tube i have 191,6 Volts

At the Board i found 390 Volts so the trafo should work.
____________

Hello Tamara,
which device (i.e.Multimeter) you have used for measuring hv voltage?

Normal multimeter have 10 Mohm as input resistance.

Maybe the input resistance make this effect, because (maybe) the source have
not enough power to drive the geiger tube and your multimeter.

greetings

Hello Tamara,
which device (i.e.Multimeter) you have used for measuring hv voltage?

Normal multimeter have 10 Mohm as input resistance.

Maybe the input resistance make this effect, because (maybe) the source have
not enough power to drive the geiger tube and your multimeter.

greetings

Hi all,

sometimes after restart of my raspberry, detector reports:

This is my first time putting together a kit like this. Can someone help me out with a link to a US company where I can order the additional parts as well as the part #'s that I need?

I have finished to build the detector but it doesn't works. I have a display with i2c expander and I think the display is broken. Should the detector start if the expander is good but not the display?
____________

It should start without Display, startup delay is about 3sec.

My first thought was also that the system doesn't work, because the Display shows only the black-Char Bars - native I2C Display from Winstar.
I measured the 20 Mhz Freq - OK
also took a look on the TxD from the ATMega - there was traffic.

After some time i found the mistake.
My Display had on Pin 15 (Vee on the Schematic) a negative Vcc Output. This pin is connected with the 10k Poti for the contrast. So the contrast dind't go over 0 Volt and was always black.
I disabled / removed the negative Vee Output from the Display and make a bridge with 10 Ohm in serie to Vcc.
After setting the contrast the display works fine, also the backlight.

Thank you appu


A couple of dumb questions:

C11: I don't know what exactly means monolithic. I placed there a ceramic disk. May be fine?

R2,R4: I have not put them because I have the expander. Are them absolutely needless?
____________

C11: I don't know what exactly means monolithic. I placed there a ceramic disk. May be fine?

R2,R4: I have not put them because I have the expander. Are them absolutely needless?

Hi all,

I can't find 1% 0.6W (or even 0.4W) resistors at my local suppliers.

Szopler, could you please advise.

Can I use 0.25W resistors for R8 - R20?
Or maybe 5% is enough for R8 - R20?

Thanks

Like "C1, C4, C5, C6, C7, C14, C16" those are also monolithic. Should be a default Ceramic Cap (MLCC).
A short sentence from the EN Wikipedia "It was an American company in the midst of the Apollo program, launched in 1961, pioneered the stacking of multiple discs to create a monolithic block. This “multi-layer ceramic capacitor” (MLCC) was compact and offered high-capacitance capacitors"

You mean R3 & R4 ? These are pull-ups for SCL & SDA and should be already placed on your I2C Expander. Also don't mount VR1 & T2

Hi, I have negative polarity on output from transformer (-200 V). So diode D2 is closed and on C13, C10 is no voltage. I Suppose that transformer's winding is reversed. Unfortunately I see no chance to repair it. Any idea?

Szopler

I tried it to connect the (+) and (-) of tube then it count.

so It look that i need a new geiger tube
____________

Provocator

Hi, I have negative polarity on output from transformer (-200 V). So diode D2 is closed and on C13, C10 is no voltage. I Suppose that transformer's winding is reversed. Unfortunately I see no chance to repair it. Any idea?

I tried it to connect the (+) and (-) of tube then it count.
so It look that i need a new geiger tube

Then tomorrow I will send you another one tube...

Hi all,

I have never soldered SMD parts.
Is it possible to solder SMD capacitor to our PCB?
(I can't find THT 22p 500V capacitor)

Thanks.

Just FYI.

As I have impediments finding some of the parts I desided to check how many detectors have been assembled.

Only 33 sensors (v2.60) have ever sent measurents out of 200.



Not so many...

Stats are here

First, thank you for this gread Kit. Now I have all needed parts and started with assembling.

I've ordered an HD44780 compatible 1602 LCD and an I²C expander. The display works fine with an arduino setup and the expander has an address range from 0x20 to 0x27 (default 0x27). I've looked in the sources for v2.60 and it seems you start to search from address 0x40 up to 0x7f. Is this the same binary which is pre-installed on the atmega88? Do I need to recompile and update the firmware to get the display working?

Greets jtf

PS: If anybody needs some C10, C13, i have six left. (220nF, 630V 224J, RM15)
ca. 17x13x7mm. I've decide to solder C13 normally and C10 "flying" between R5 and display with heat shrink tube.
They look like them http://www.aliexpress.com/item/100pcs-Polypropylene-Capacitors-224J-224-0-22uf-220nf-630V-CBB-Capacitor-Free-Shipping/504379938.html

Try searching for "kerko 500 22P".

My kit is soldered and takes measurements, but ... computer has hard time to recognize it. Still looking for a cause. Parts between USB and u-controller seem to be OK, so - have to check serial connection and controller itself...
Until then +0.5 to that count :)

The first Kit is assembled and works like a charme, on first try. The I²C address issue was no problem. But setting up boinc is a pain in the .. or I'm to stupid.

Is it planned to support 64bit-Linux?
Can anybody give me a link to a raspberry tutorial? It would be nice.

Greetings
jtf

HI,

On this page there is an good todo for Raspberry, at the bottom of tutorial is
the Radioaktiveathome setup

http://www.rechenkraft.net/wiki/index.php?title=Raspberry_Pi

Greetings
midopple

Thanks, this worked.
My sensor is now online : D

I'm assembling detectors now, but all of these are not work.(for now, I had assembled 3 kits)

no HV from Transformer, 5V supply to MCU, but nothing occurs in PC.
I can connect to MCU via ISP port, and even tried to download firmware.

but all never worked... :(

does anyone have idea?

Hi,

How could you resolve the I²C address issue?
Did you reprogrammed the controller?
I've ordered an arduino LCD expander and expect the same problem.

Hi.
I tried RS232 port (USB to TTL)

got few of "?" for few seconds, but after that, no more data from board.

maybe something failed while initalizing.

do you have any idea for it?

I got "??????????" and stops. that's all I got. no more response.

oh. I forgot to mention it, there are no LCDs are connected.

I tried it to connect the (+) and (-) of tube then it count.
so It look that i need a new geiger tube

Then tomorrow I will send you another one tube...

Thats great.

yes. I have ISP downloader for AVR.

Hi,

I've assembled first sensor. But it does not work.
Could you please advice how to debug it?

When I plug it in the buzzer beeps shortly and LCD shows blank symbols.



Nothing else happens. PC doesn't show any connected USB devices.

I measure 5V at 7(VCC) and 8(GRD) pins of the controller,
but 0 Volts at C9.
0V is also at c10 and c13.

What are the proper steps to debug it?

Shall I try to read RS232? What will it give me? Presence of I2C data exchange?

I have standard multimiter. What are the key points to check at the PCB?

I've checked the fuses of the atmega and its efuse seems to be wrong (0x04 instead of 0xFC).

Can it cause the problem?

For some reason update of EFUSE fails.

I'm little confused with reading RS232.

How should I connect 1,2,3,4 holes at the PCB with the 9-pin RS232



I connect
[PCB hole <- pin name at the pic]
2 <- TD
3 <- RD
4 <- Signal GND

and leave hole 1 unconnected (as the PCB is powered by MiniUSB connector)

Is my connection right?

With this connection I read the Serial port but nothing comes from the sensor when I attach MiniUSB to the PCB to supply with power.

I programmed my atmega88 with the \Release\Radioactive_V2.60.hex via ISP
and now I got one "?" having my LCD disconnected

What does it mean? What shall I check next?

(Previously I got nothing at rs232 as my usb-to-rs232 converter was broken)

Szopler,

What about EEPROM? where can I find a hex file for EEPROM?

Hi My two V2.60 kits work very well thank you.I notice that the second function switch blanks out the display and the third one switches on the speaker. My question is: what does the first switch (one the left) do? Thanks.

Hi!

I just finish to assembly a 2.60 kit, and I've got a problem.
The display show 0,00µSv/h everytime.
The Geiger tube is OK, I tested it in my old detector.
The voltages look good (190V around the tube, and 380V on the transfo).

The task returns:

OK, I'll try this operation.

Thanks for your help!

Well, I found a bad weld on a GND pin on IC2. Then, the detector show the same µSv/h rate than my first detector.
Thank you very much Szopler for your good intuition.

But now, the UT returns again the same message :

Hello,

I crossed my detectors to make a test.
The 2.60 detector on my Raspi (app version 1.78) said:

Hello,

With the help of my AF's friend Elgrande, I found a problem with my kits.

Hi!
Yes, of course I can try again.
Is it necesary to reset the project?

Same same...

Hi!

Always with the trouble with my two 2.60 kits.

Question to the specialists...
If I upgrade the firmware, is the problem will be resolved?

Best regards from France!

Hi Szopler!

I checked in static, with an Ohmmeter, the continuity between USB and R5, R6, R7, Dz2, Dz3, IC1 pins 4 6 and 11, and it looks good. I didn't find any trouble.
I made my test with an USB cordless plugged.

What else?

if the sensor seen in the system correctly, install the driver for Linux libusb-dev.