Wondered if anybody has any cheap/simple solutions or links for some basic weather related sensors. Looking for barometric, temperature, and humidity. None have to be particularly accurate, but should be easy to read/interface with a microcontroller (AVR, of course).
From the web so far, Freescale makes an air pressure sensor, but its about $20. Little bit more then I was looking to spend on this whole project. I just need to know if the pressure is rising or falling in whatever range is normal around here. Will look into science fair type projects, remember there were several simple means as a child, perhaps something can be adapted. Accuracy is unimportant.
Remember several threads on humidity sensors here, so will do some searching.
Temperature is the simplest, several cheap choices, but would like to here some alternatives, as I don't need any accuracy for this project idea. Remember some semiconductors (transistors) can be used, but don't remember the specifics, or if it would have much ranges, or require amplification (digging back 30 years or more hurts my brain...).
Guess I should explain the idea (save on some of the questions later). I was thing of an RGB Moodlight type lamp, but each of three LED's brightness is related to the three sensors. Basically a clear sunny day would be of some color range, stormy weather another. Based on what sort of color the lamp is, I should be able to guess what kind of weather to expect. Figure it'll be about as accurate as the local tv news . This is why the sensors don't need to be accurate, as I'll just be translating the reading into a PWM brightness level.
I'm on vacation this week, and currently waiting for the ups guy (chick last time) to deliver a solar panel (need to sign), for a different project. Been thinking about this one for a while, just kind of stuck in my head since I woke up this morning. Damn dog gets me out of bed around 7 am every day I'm off work, by jumping on the bed, across my stomach. Least he hasn't nailed me below the belt yet, but still not a great way to start the day.
From the web so far, Freescale makes an air pressure sensor, but its about $20. Little bit more then I was looking to spend on this whole project. I just need to know if the pressure is rising or falling in whatever range is normal around here. Will look into science fair type projects, remember there were several simple means as a child, perhaps something can be adapted. Accuracy is unimportant.
Remember several threads on humidity sensors here, so will do some searching.
Temperature is the simplest, several cheap choices, but would like to here some alternatives, as I don't need any accuracy for this project idea. Remember some semiconductors (transistors) can be used, but don't remember the specifics, or if it would have much ranges, or require amplification (digging back 30 years or more hurts my brain...).
Guess I should explain the idea (save on some of the questions later). I was thing of an RGB Moodlight type lamp, but each of three LED's brightness is related to the three sensors. Basically a clear sunny day would be of some color range, stormy weather another. Based on what sort of color the lamp is, I should be able to guess what kind of weather to expect. Figure it'll be about as accurate as the local tv news . This is why the sensors don't need to be accurate, as I'll just be translating the reading into a PWM brightness level.
I'm on vacation this week, and currently waiting for the ups guy (chick last time) to deliver a solar panel (need to sign), for a different project. Been thinking about this one for a while, just kind of stuck in my head since I woke up this morning. Damn dog gets me out of bed around 7 am every day I'm off work, by jumping on the bed, across my stomach. Least he hasn't nailed me below the belt yet, but still not a great way to start the day.