Multiple thermocouple K to map a wood-burning oven

Hi all,

I need some help to find the best solution to achive my idea without spend a lot of money :wink:

I would like to map my oven (a concrete one) with a few thermocouple, I am thinking about 4 on the bottom and 4 on the top (cupola).

I have thermocouples K up to 700°C, it's fine.

The problem is to find a good thermocouple sensor module to fix the cold junction.
Actually I have nr 1 of MAX31855K.

Actually my arduino will have to "just" monitor temperature and show it on a display (lcd or similar).

Do you have any Idea?

Thx for your help guys.

These modules are reasonably priced: Thermocouple Amplifier MAX31855 breakout board (MAX6675 upgrade) : ID 269 : $14.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

hi @anon94801460,

I am not sure how connect the thermocouple to Arduino. Is it possible to connect the thermocouple all together?
Reading one by one.

My sensor module is this one:

Thx

I am not sure how connect the thermocouple to Arduino.

Follow the detailed tutorial in the link you gave.

Is it possible to connect the thermocouple all together?

No.

Connecting multiple thermocouples to a single interface (e.g. MAX31855) would require a multiplexer chip with specs that are good enough that you don't lose too much precision. It's possible but not really practical.

If you're really strained for money you could use HX711 modules (~$1) as amplifiers and program the Arduino to calculate the temperature from the readings provided by the HX711. But again it would require more programming effort on your part and a bit of calibrating to get right.

hi,

I was misunderstood, I meant connect 1:1 thermocouple and MAX31855 (6 thermocouples to 6 different MAX31855) and then connect my 6 MAX31855 to Arduino.

Is it possible?

Thx for you help guys.

Yes.

These are SPI devices (you will want to spend a few moments learning how SPI works). Each chip will require a separate pin (any pin) on the Arduino for the "CS" pin (AKA "Chip Select" or SS for "Slave Select").

that sounds good, so I don't need a multiplexer or any additional component.

I will study SPI logic.

Thx for your help.

I think I miss the power supply and logic level specs.

It seems that I cannot use connecting it directly to Mega2560 because it works at 3.3 Volt.

Am I wrong?

Thx

cellax:
I think I miss the power supply and logic level specs.

It seems that I cannot use connecting it directly to Mega2560 because it works at 3.3 Volt.

You're correct.

You can either buy level converters, as the tutorial shows, or you can buy an Arduino variant that operates at 3.3V. If you go the level converter route you will need 2 channels (SCK and SO/MISO) which will connect to all the amplifiers then 8 channels for the CS on each amplifier; 10 total.

Some level converters do not have a 3.3V regulator on them. The one in the tutorial does, but the less expensive (and just as good) mosfet-based converters will need a 3.3V connection between the Arduino 3.3V and the converter 3.3V.

I see but what about setting up voltage dividers for my 10 channels?

https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/voltage-dividers

I know that with the voltage divider the problem is the speed, but it is an oven, and a loop every 1000 ms is fine for me.
http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=119399.0

Thx for your help

EDIT:

cheapest way I figured, a divider 4,7kohm/10kohm

It works