KPi
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Mar 05, 2020 10:37 am

Newbie questions - multiple environmental sensors setup

Thu Mar 05, 2020 10:56 am

Hi folks - complete beginner here, knowledge base currently zero... However I am looking at purchasing a Pi and learning how to set up an environment monitoring system inside a box. I've researched around a bit, found a few good guides etc. I think I am some way towards knowing roughly what to purchase. I've also bought the beginners guide :)

What I want to do:
I want to monitor the environment inside a box. This includes temperature, humidity, and also VOC (volatile organic compounds). I'm happy for this to connect directly to a laptop to display current information of each. I'd like to record this data while running experiments inside the box.

What is currently on my shopping list:
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2GB
SD card with software
Power adaptor
Temperature & humidity sensor https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/1845076/
VOC monitor https://thepihut.com/products/adafruit- ... 4075860030

Do I require anything such as wires, breadboards, etc?

Basically, I want to check I'm not missing anything obvious, and that this will be all I need for a correct and straightforward setup. I have been wondering if I can add two sensors to one Pi, but from what I've read it seems I can.

Thanks all!

jbudd
Posts: 1446
Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2013 10:23 am

Re: Newbie questions - multiple environmental sensors setup

Thu Mar 05, 2020 11:29 pm

I have found BMP280 temperature / pressure / humidity sensors more reliable than the AM2302 kind. And £9.30 for an AM2302 seems rather high.

Yes you can connect more than one sensor, depending on the interface type, to a Raspberry Pi.
I like the alternative approach where sensors are connected to ESP micro controllers, which report back over wifi to a Raspberry Pi to store and present the data. I use ESP8266 "development boards" which are powered via a USB cable and can be plugged into a breadboard.

Breadboards and Dupont wires are useful for testing your setup.

Don't buy "an sd card with software". Buy an SD card and download Raspbian.
Buy the official power supply, not least because the first question people will ask if you have problems is "Are you using the official power supply?"

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