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[on:]

I would like to build an external temperature display for work that will show the outside temperature and the word 'ice' or 'warning ice' when the temperature drops below 2 degress celcius.  I have electrical and soldering knowledge but little electronic knowledge.  Is this a feasable project and if so where do I begin please.

[Reply #1 on:]

Sounds doable with even the Arduino Uno. You'd need a temp sensor like an LM35, some sort of display and an enclosure. The display depends on how far you want it to be seen from and how much you're willing to spend. You'll also have to plan for how you want to power it which, again, will depend on the display and location. Sure Electronics sells 32x16 LED displays which can be chained together to make a larger display. Those should be good for some distance. (Look on youtube for examples of what they look like and their size) Anything larger will start costing quite a bit more.  

[Reply #2 on:]

Thanks for that.  Not that it means much to me at this stage.  I was thinking of something like 100 mm display so that it can be seen as people drive into the car park.  Power supply - battery is easier as no mains power on this display board, but mains power could be doable but it will obviously cost.

[Reply #3 on:]

Will the whole thing including the display be outside? In that case your two main problems will be finding a display that will tolerate being frozen (I guess it would be an LED display) and finding a way to power it.

[Reply #4 on:]

Thanks for that.  Not that it means much to me at this stage.  I was thinking of something like 100 mm display so that it can be seen as people drive into the car park.  Power supply - battery is easier as no mains power on this display board, but mains power could be doable but it will obviously cost.

Well any LED display that is even remotely large will draw a decent amount of power so batteries are more then likely out. While LEDs draw litttle power on their own it adds up to quite a bit when there are a thousand of them.

As for the LED displays I spoke of earlier, I believe they are around 70x120mm and they can be chained so they may fit your criteria.

[Reply #5 on:]

Easy enough, provided you can get power to it. Freetronics makes a 512 LED display. It is 320 x 160, and suitably attention grabbing. I would suggest a DS18B20 temp sensor. They can be bought in a weatherproof package like this:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/High-Quality-Waterproof-Digital-Temperature-Temp-Sensor-Thermal-Probe-DS18B20-/190738017226?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item2c68df2bca

There are versions with a plug already installed. While some of those really small small Arduinos would do the job, I believe a Uno is a more obvious choice. They are cheap and more convenient.