Hi,
I just have a quick question regarding how sensors should be sealed from the elements when they are mounted outdoors. I'm not sure if this is strictly the correct forum but here goes.
I am trying to interface a DS18B20 temp sensor and a SHT15 humidity sensor on the breakout board from sparkfun (SparkFun Humidity and Temperature Sensor Breakout - SHT15 - SEN-08257 - SparkFun Electronics) to an arduino. I have read about some tips on the web and in datasheets but am interested to know how others have done this. What would be the recomended approach to doing this? How can the devices be sealed without affecting the calibration of the actual sensor.
I am interested to hear about peoples experience as well as some does and donts, as it is the first time I am going to do this.
How about mounting the sensors inside a upside down small plastic bucket. A pole could also attach inside to allow mounting of the assembly with any cables following down inside the pole.
Being low voltage I don't see any safety hazards. However be warned I live where there is almost never any lightning so be sure to research more ideas and suggestions.
My concern with the upside down small plastic bucket is that it may retain some moisture up inside there throwing off your moisture sensor... I dont know?
If you wanted it to look kinda niffty you could build a little bird house and place your electronics inside it. you could build a double roof and leave the floor out to still give you the protection you need but allow moisture to escape. What I mean by a double roof is a bottom roof has a hole in the center and a second top roof that is fully closed and a gap between the two... think of "china town" HEHE sorry best way I could think to describe it.
Maybe my poor attempt at ASCII art will help?
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/- -
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Maybe that helps to let the air escape at the top eliminating trapped moisture and heat... Also could be completely overlooked in a garden as a bird house...
Hi again,
Many thanks for the advise. Well in the end what I done was to put both sensors in a white plastic box about the size of a wall socket and about 2 or 3 inches deep (I forget what the name for these boxes are). I mounted it upside down on the roof eave on the north facing side I drilled a hole in the side and brought in the cables. The lid of the box has a hole about 2/3 its size cut out which is covered with fine mesh to allow air to enter. I'm happy enough with it, but I think a good point was raised by windhamrules regarding allowing trapped heat and moisture to escape. Perhaps I should make a hole in the top corner and cover it with mesh to allow it to escape. With my current setup is it likely that trapped heat and moisture could be a problem?
