Hello,
I am currently setting up a photodetector to run inside an instrument that is normally evacuated, which in our case means between 1 and 0.1 hPA.
I will need a lot of digital control channels (about 20, maybe more), so i was thinking to use an arduino to provide these channels. The critical issue is, there might not be a lot of room for a vacuum cable feed. Having to use only 5 pins for usb or maybe 2 for i2c instead of 25 separate channels is the whole idea behind this.
The question is, can the arduinos safely be operated in such a vacuum? I have not found any information on this or any project where this has been done. I was told that i should be careful about electrolytic capacitors and the likes, i.e. components that could burst and create a mess. From the pictures the micro, nano and maybe leonardo and mega adk look like they might be safe? But are they?
Regards
The only way to be sure is to draw a vacuum on some examples. If it survives once, it should be good.
I agree with jremington in the only way to find out is to test it. I wouldn't expect problems though.
You might peek at the Kicksat site to see if they had any considerations for operating in a vacuum.
I think I'd go with a promini and FTDI basic so you have as few components exposed as possible.That gives you 20 IO (with 2 tied up for serial, leaving 18).
Or a SMD 1284P so you have 32 IO (with 2 tied up for serial, leaving 30):
http://www.crossroadsfencing.com/BobuinoRev17/
jremington:
The only way to be sure is to draw a vacuum on some examples. If it survives once, it should be good.
The expression that comes to mind is "Suck it and see." 
Thanks for the replies,
The promini solution looks like a promising one. I have not found on the kicksat page yet, but I had a lot of technical troubles with our instrument today so I haven't had much time to look.
I also thought I might just use my UNO as a programmer for a 328P, which i can then just stick on the final PCB. Then I can just use ceramic caps where needed.
Regards
