Summary of NEW AND IMPROVED GEIGER COUNTER – NOW WITH WIFI!
This article details an updated DIY Geiger Counter project by user "Prabhat," combining radiation detection, dosimetry, and monitoring into a thinner, feature-rich device. Utilizing the ESP8266 and touchscreen, it offers offline logging, cloud data visualization via ThingSpeak, and adjustable calibration. The design eliminates the need for user programming, featuring a 2000 mAh battery and support for various radiation units like Sieverts and Rems.
Parts used in the Updated DIY Geiger Counter:
- ESP8266
- Touch screen display
- SBM-20 Geiger-Muller tube
- ThingSpeak (cloud service)
- 2000 mAh rechargeable LiPo battery
- Micro USB charging port
In one of our previous tutorials, we examined the development of a DIY-Geiger Counter showing the efforts of “Instructable” user Prabhat who combined the ESP8266 with a touch screen display to create a truly intuitive version of his Geiger Counter. He recently created an updated version and today’s tutorial will focus on how this new version of the Geiger Counter can be replicated.
The Geiger counter is an instrument used for detecting and measuring ionizing radiation. It is one of the worlds best-known radiation detection instrument as it can be used to detect ionizing radiation such as alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays and its is usually used as a handheld radiation survey instrument, warning users when in the region of dangerous ambient radiation levels with an all-too-familiar clicking noise.
While this project retains some of the features from the first version, like the use of the ESP8266 and a touchscreen interface, rather than just implementing the detection of radiation levels like the first version, it combines a Geiger counter, a dosimeter, and a radiation monitoring together in a single package that is 50% less thick, and with loads of new software features! Some of the new features include:
- A more intuitive GUI
- Displays counts per minute, current dose, and accumulated dose on the home screen
- Sensitive and reliable SBM-20 Geiger-Muller tube
- Variable integration time for averaging dose rate
- Timed count mode for measuring low doses
- Users can choose between Sieverts and Rems as the units for the displayed dose rate
- User-adjustable alert threshold
- Adjustable calibration to relate CPM to dose rate for various isotopes
- Offline data logging
- Post bulk-logged data to a cloud service (ThingSpeak) to graph, analyze and/or save to computer
- Monitoring Station mode: device stays connected to WiFi and regularly posts ambient radiation level to ThingSpeak channel
- 2000 mAh rechargeable LiPo battery with a 16 hour run time and a micro USB charging port
- No programming required from the end-user as things like the WiFi setup is handled through the user interface.
While most of these upgrades will not make sense to a non-radiation nerd, the updates take the device to a more powerful level when compared with some of the regular Geiger counter available in the market.
Read more: NEW AND IMPROVED GEIGER COUNTER – NOW WITH WIFI!
- What is the primary function of the Geiger counter described?
It is an instrument used for detecting and measuring ionizing radiation such as alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. - How does this new version differ from the previous tutorial?
This version combines a Geiger counter, dosimeter, and radiation monitoring in a single package that is 50% less thick with new software features. - Can users view radiation levels in different units?
Yes, users can choose between Sieverts and Rems as the units for the displayed dose rate. - Is external programming required to set up WiFi?
No, there is no programming required from the end-user as WiFi setup is handled through the user interface. - How long does the battery last on a full charge?
The 2000 mAh rechargeable LiPo battery provides a 16-hour run time. - Can the device log data without an internet connection?
Yes, the device supports offline data logging before posting bulk-logged data to a cloud service. - What happens when the device is in Monitoring Station mode?
The device stays connected to WiFi and regularly posts ambient radiation level to a ThingSpeak channel. - Does the device allow for adjustable calibration?
Yes, users have adjustable calibration to relate CPM to dose rate for various isotopes.
