I would like to have a simple 2 nixie tube CPU temperature display mounted in my computer.
I have purchased everything I need - Arduino, nixie tubes, nixie modules v2.0 and wires.
Now, please forgive me but I have NO experience in programming and electronics, so this is almost impossible to do this by myself, that is why I'm asking you guys for help
I have installed everything, added nixie module library, connected my arduino to pc via USB cable, connected nixie tube modules to it and I'm running simple code I found on Nixie modules website that changes numbers and background color.
Now, what is left is to get thermistor sticked to cpu cooler radiator and plug it to arduino, then write a code that reads temps and passes to nixie modules.
I have one old thermistor, I believe it's 10K, I used it ages ago, that looks like this:
I know that this can be plugged to arduino easily with two pins.
Last thing would be coding.
Couldn't find anything like that, but maybe someone already tried this and have a simple code I could use?
phinix-mike:
I have installed everything, added Nixie module library, connected my Arduino to pc via USB cable, connected Nixie tube modules to it and I'm running simple code I found on Nixie modules website that changes numbers and background colour.
So you clearly are not using Nixie tubes.
Game rules: Post links to each piece of hardware - and specify which Arduino (though one would suspect, a UNO) - you are proposing to use.
Paul__B:
So you clearly are not using Nixie tubes.
Game rules: Post links to each piece of hardware - and specify which Arduino (though one would suspect, a UNO) - you are proposing to use.
NIXI tubes use ionized neon gas to make the lighted character display. that requires somewhere around 70 volts and a current limiting resistor to operate.
I used nixie tubes for my first computer, 50 years ago, driven by relays because no transistor supported the high voltage at that time, and a phone dial plate to enter digits. Should I build a remake of that calculator now, using an Arduino?
But back to your problem. You have to add an resistor to your thermistor, to form a half bridge. Connect it to Vcc and Gnd, and the center tap to an analog input. Now you're ready to read the voltage, using analogRead(), and output by Serial.print().
Then map the analog values into temperatures, of the desired scale (C/F/R/K), convert it into digits, and send them to the nixies.
Paul_KD7HB:
NIXI tubes use ionized neon gas to make the lighted character display. that requires somewhere around 70 volts and a current limiting resistor to operate.
Paul
170 volts.
Paul__B:
So you clearly are not using Nixie tubes.
Game rules: Post links to each piece of hardware - and specify which Arduino (though one would suspect, a UNO) - you are proposing to use.
..and how did you come up with that I don't use tubes?
All works fine, tried few simple codes like blinking tubes, counting down etc.
DrDiettrich:
A nice module, the backlight idea is great
I used nixie tubes for my first computer, 50 years ago, driven by relays because no transistor supported the high voltage at that time, and a phone dial plate to enter digits. Should I build a remake of that calculator now, using an Arduino?
But back to your problem. You have to add an resistor to your thermistor, to form a half bridge. Connect it to Vcc and Gnd, and the center tap to an analog input. Now you're ready to read the voltage, using analogRead(), and output by Serial.print().
Then map the analog values into temperatures, of the desired scale (C/F/R/K), convert it into digits, and send them to the nixies.
Thank you, it sounds like the thing I should do now.
I found this code here on this forum - not sure if this is gonna work. First I need to put together this thermistor, I hope I won't kill any of the items plugging the one I have to it...
To be honest, best way would be somehow get temperature of cpu from the motherboard itself - there are many cpu temp software that have this info - how easy would be to get it and use/send to Arduino?
Yeay, you need a resistor. And yeay, it already is a resistor that depends on temperature. But an Arduino can't read resistance, only voltage. And the easiest way to do that is to add a fixed resistor.
Indeed the sensor attached to the heatsink will be nowhere around the real CPU temperature. You can try to make a VB (or any other language...) program that reads it. Just Google it If you can read the CPU temp on the computer itself, next step is to send it to the Arduino. But again, just Google. On the Arduino you can handle the serial data
septillion:
Yeay, you need a resistor. And yeay, it already is a resistor that depends on temperature. But an Arduino can't read resistance, only voltage. And the easiest way to do that is to add a fixed resistor.
Indeed the sensor attached to the heatsink will be nowhere around the real CPU temperature. You can try to make a VB (or any other language...) program that reads it. Just Google it If you can read the CPU temp on the computer itself, next step is to send it to the Arduino. But again, just Google. On the Arduino you can handle the serial data
Thanks, but the problem is I don't know any programming language, so have no idea how to use it:(
Then drop everything you are doing now and click here and here. We are here to help, not to write software for you so you can be lazy and get cool stuff
Suspect their design was not particularly knowledgeable - I should have thought it would be simpler to use TPIC6B595s and dispense with all the transistors.
DrDiettrich:
A nice module, the backlight idea is great
I used nixie tubes for my first computer, 50 years ago, driven by relays because no transistor supported the high voltage at that time, and a phone dial plate to enter digits. Should I build a remake of that calculator now, using an Arduino?
But back to your problem. You have to add an resistor to your thermistor, to form a half bridge. Connect it to Vcc and Gnd, and the center tap to an analog input. Now you're ready to read the voltage, using analogRead(), and output by Serial.print().
Then map the analog values into temperatures, of the desired scale (C/F/R/K), convert it into digits, and send them to the nixies.
Thanks for replying.
So I have this 10K thermistor - what kind of resistor would I need for it?
Could you please show me exactly how should I solder it to the thermistor?
phinix-mike:
So I have this 10K thermistor - what kind of resistor would I need for it?
Could you please show me exactly how should I solder it to the thermistor?
Do you understand voltage dividers? I'd start with a 10k resistor, to get mid-range readings.
DrDiettrich:
Do you understand voltage dividers? I'd start with a 10k resistor, to get mid-range readings.
No, I'm sorry, but electronics and programming is a black hole for me.
mid-range, does it mean that with 10K res I will get only some range of temps?
Also, I'm using only 2 nixie tubes, so would like to only get full 2 digit temps (up to 99C, but my cpu will be jumping only in a range of 10-80C max anyway), so no decimals or over 99C.
Don't understand how is it showing 3 outs from that thermistor, when the one I have has only 2 wires, grd and +5V. How can I get that one that goes to Analog Pin0?
No, look better. On the right side you see the thermistor with just 2 connections. On the left is the resistor everybody is talking about! The resistor goes between GND and A0 (or any analog pin you like) and the thermistor goes between the same analog pin (A0) and 5V. It's that simple!
And you don't need anything But a DS18B20 can work. But still, the reading of those sensors will be wayyyyy off from the actual temperature. I doubt (and hope) you never see a temperature higher then 40C of 50C when reading the temp around the heatsink. Even though the CPU may be 80C.
septillion:
No, look better. On the right side you see the thermistor with just 2 connections. On the left is the resistor everybody is talking about! The resistor goes between GND and A0 (or any analog pin you like) and the thermistor goes between the same analog pin (A0) and 5V. It's that simple!
And you don't need anything But a DS18B20 can work. But still, the reading of those sensors will be wayyyyy off from the actual temperature. I doubt (and hope) you never see a temperature higher then 40C of 50C when reading the temp around the heatsink. Even though the CPU may be 80C.
I know there will be difference.
I would first watch how it performs during different tasks, how temperature differ from outside thermistor and actual CPU Temp app (hopefully, but not sure, it would be static value, like +10C).
This thermistor I have is very flat, could try and squeeze it between cpu cooler and cpu, or at least on its edge touching edge of cpu.
Then I would simply alter the code to add a difference. Worst case, it would need some multi value lookup table.
Do you think this could work?
Now Is see I would need to find "addresses" for my thermistor. I found this software that gives you addresses, so I could use them in that code I found earlier.
Slowly things coming together.. I think...
Putting something between CPU and cooler is a very bad idea. You want an optimal path for the heat but if you stick something between them you ruined that.
I don't think the CPU them and the external temp are really that related. Most modern PC alter the fan speed depending on the CPU temp. So the heatsink temp will not change that much or at least not lineair.
But more annoying, the heatsink temperature will lag significant behind that of the CPU itself.
septillion:
Putting something between CPU and cooler is a very bad idea. You want an optimal path for the heat but if you stick something between them you ruined that.
I don't think the CPU them and the external temp are really that related. Most modern PC alter the fan speed depending on the CPU temp. So the heatsink temp will not change that much or at least not lineair.
But more annoying, the heatsink temperature will lag significant behind that of the CPU itself.
Yeah... I know...
If I can get like at least -/+5C "semi-accurate" temps, I would be very happy hippo:)
See, I don't need precise temps - this is actually for viewing pleasure, to show nixie tubes.
I'm a PC modder, one of my new projects is to build an old (back from 90's) case that holds modern hardware and also shows such a beautiful nixie tubes in action.
If you can read the CPU temp on the computer itself, next step is to send it to the Arduino. But again,