DIY add on alarm to Sure Temp Sensor

[tallbongo]

In the deconstructing thread Driver and Passengers is modifying the hardware and coding of the Sure sensor to add an alarm function (amongst other features). In this thread I will illustrate an add-on circuit that will provide an alarm without the need to modify the Sure sensor itself.

Both methods have their advantages - I am just offering this as a relatively easy DIY alternative.

I'm just back from a week's holiday, and here's where I'd got to before I left. I won't publish the circuit yet as it needs some minor modifications that I'll do when the parts arrive. This was made from bits and bobs of electronics I had lying around.

First the unit.





The small circuit board to the left is just the power supply connector. This won't be needed once the unit is connected to a car battery. Obviously the box needs tidied up somewhat, but I think it's close to the finished item.

Here's a video of it in operation. It can alarm at a user setting of between 93 and 103 deg C, adjustable by the pot (the green knob). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHcYx2lf9Yc

[Driver+Passengers]

Nice!!

[widdowson2008]

That is absolutely brilliant.

Sent you a pm

[nigelgibson]

fantastic !!!

will it be possible to fit this in the small storage compartment at the side of the bmw clock as shown below instead of the box ?

dimensions are 105mm wide x 52 high x 45mm deep [ the depth could be doubled by chopping back out ].
i would use a piece of plastic from a dvd case to make a front which will also house the green switch.



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E36-CLOCK ... 2567cf5596

[jaylee]

I like this alot Tallbongo..!

fantastic !!!

will it be possible to fit this in the small storage compartment at the side of the bmw clock as shown below instead of the box ?

dimensions are 105mm wide x 52 high x 45mm deep [ the depth could be doubled by chopping back out ].
i would use a piece of plastic from a dvd case to make a front which will also house the green switch.



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E36-CLOCK ... 2567cf5596

Nigel this may help you make some sort of "rough" visual comparison for what you would like to do?

I chopped the digital clock & outside temp reader out of a Mazda 626 clock housing & fitted my gauge..



This from when i was testing a second unit....




I'm also pretty much thinking along similar lines... But maybe put the alarm buzzer behind the little (unused in my vehicles case) air sensor grill, under the radio next to the glove-box...? (Seen in the pics.)

[nigelgibson]

thanks Jaylee . i like the buzzer location idea. What exactly does that little sensor do? it seems a likely place to hide a buzzer.
I put my sure gauge in the centre consul near the handbrake as i was going to put the voltmeter at side of clock. I'm happy to switch them round though to get greatest benefit.

i'm not sure what gubbins are held in the box tallbongo is using and how much room is needed ?

Again tallbongo [ and driver on similar project ] - excellent work !

[tallbongo]

Thanks for all the positive feedback.

The enclosure is 10x15x6cm, but there is plenty of space in it. The circuit board is laid out on veroboard and is approx 12x5cm, but is laid out very spaciously as it is a development circuit and it leaves plenty of room to make changes.

The proposed changes I have in mind include removing one of the two ICs in the circuit and when this is done I reckon it could be laid out in approx 5cm x 5cm on veroboard. Most of the space is taken up by the molex connectors of which there are 7 (power in/out, sensor in/out, potentiometer, buzzer and LED).

I won't be spending much more time on this as I have just got my Bongo back today and have a conversion to complete in the next month, as well as some other ideas for electronic Bongo projects I'd like to work on. I will, of course, finish developing this add-on as currently designed and be happy to help others with the design side of modifications of to it.

This is really basic electronics and well within the capabilities of anyone who has any experience of soldering, so will remain as a DIY add-on. I reckon the component cost will be under a fiver, about 2 pounds of which will be the buzzer itself (my only spend so far on the add-on has been 2.39 for a buzzer from Maplin, who are extortionate but handy).

[nigelgibson]

Personally i cant wait to see your completed conversion and the other electronic mods you are contemplating.

If everything else is anywhere near as good as your work on this project it will be well worth waiting for.

i know you say it's basic electronics and i'm up for having a go once you've dotted the 't's on it.
What will it invove - are you thinking of making a buzzer board for others to solder on to gauge or instructions on how to build the buzzer/board from scratch [ which may be beyond my basic skills ! ] ?

i am more than happy to pay for this add on , my sure gauge has been working brilliantly and i have a mason alarm but this is another back up and one i can callibrate exactly to my needs.

Top man !!!

[jaylee]

thanks Jaylee . i like the buzzer location idea. What exactly does that little sensor do? it seems a likely place to hide a buzzer.
I put my sure gauge in the centre consul near the handbrake as i was going to put the voltmeter at side of clock. I'm happy to switch them round though to get greatest benefit.

i'm not sure what gubbins are held in the box tallbongo is using and how much room is needed ?

Again tallbongo [ and driver on similar project ] - excellent work !

If you have climate control? Then i think it some sort of environment temp sensor?? I have a manual heater control, so its just a little grill for me!

Yes, i remember your temp gauge position now... I can't see how if the little grill is free you cant run the buzzer wire from where the gauge is & up to behind the grill..?!!

Anything seem possible! As long as you can hear the alert when the temp creeps up...

A list of components needed & instructions & i'll be having a go at this myself....

All good stuff!!

[nigelgibson]

Cheers Jaylee,
i do have climate control but you're spot on as regards re housing the gauge - i don't need to bother i can just put longer wires to buzzer ! i think my grey cells are getting greyer !

Also with above in mind i dont need to use the little grill , i can just add one with a v. small drillbit anywhere i choose.

Tis a good man that you are !

[Driver+Passengers]

about 2 pounds of which will be the buzzer itself (my only spend so far on the add-on has been 2.39 for a buzzer from Maplin, who are extortionate but handy).

I'm using these mini 12V buzzer off eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10pcs-Tone-Al ... 5ae200e687) - 14p each. I believe they are the same as the buzzers contained in the front beeper box and the AFT beeper box. Haydn was kind enough to send me replacements for both units as a previous owner had attacked both of mine with pliers or something!

I drove my Bongo with a faulty AFT microswitch for a while, and the rear AFT beeper (in its box, behind interior trim and 3 metres away) was barely audible. I'm banking on this not being the case if located suitably close to the driver.

EDIT: whatever, though - provide a couple of fly leads from the unit and you can hook up whatever you like. Even bluetooth the signal to the HUD helmet!

[jaylee]

about 2 pounds of which will be the buzzer itself (my only spend so far on the add-on has been 2.39 for a buzzer from Maplin, who are extortionate but handy).

I'm using these mini 12V buzzer off eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10pcs-Tone-Al ... 5ae200e687) - 14p each. I believe they are the same as the buzzers contained in the front beeper box and the AFT beeper box. Haydn was kind enough to send me replacements for both units as a previous owner had attacked both of mine with pliers or something!

I drove my Bongo with a faulty AFT microswitch for a while, and the rear AFT beeper (in its box, behind interior trim and 3 metres away) was barely audible. I'm banking on this not being the case if located suitably close to the driver.

EDIT: whatever, though - provide a couple of fly leads from the unit and you can hook up whatever you like. Even bluetooth the signal to the HUD helmet!

Being really cunning... At a guess, you might even be able to install one of theses buzzers behind the A pillar trim on the drivers side.. (Lower down as the trim widens/flutes out?)



Sort of just below where i planted (hidden) the base for my turbo gauge...?

"Sound Pressure Level 90 dB min. at 10 cm, 12 V D.C." Should be audible there fer a def rocker like me!

[Driver+Passengers]

Oi! Start your own thread... "DIY temperature gauge add on alarm buzzer placement ideas...", or something.

[jaylee]

Me?!!! Sorry, i'm getting carried away....

[tallbongo]

Personally i cant wait to see your completed conversion and the other electronic mods you are contemplating.

If everything else is anywhere near as good as your work on this project it will be well worth waiting for.

i know you say it's basic electronics and i'm up for having a go once you've dotted the 't's on it.
What will it invove - are you thinking of making a buzzer board for others to solder on to gauge or instructions on how to build the buzzer/board from scratch [ which may be beyond my basic skills ! ] ?

i am more than happy to pay for this add on , my sure gauge has been working brilliantly and i have a mason alarm but this is another back up and one i can callibrate exactly to my needs.

Top man !!!

That is what the beauty (in my opinion) of this mod is. There is absolutely no tinkering or soldering of the Sure sensor required.

The sensor cable connects to my add-on board via a molex connector (the same as the connector on the back of the Sure) and then goes onto the Sure unit via another molex.

Assembly skills required will be the ability to solder onto veroboard (approximately a dozen components and 7 molex connectors), to identify the anode of various diodes (zener, LED and standard - easy when you know how) and to break veroboard tracks using a drill.

I'm using these mini 12V buzzer off eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10pcs-Tone-Al ... 5ae200e687) - 14p each. I believe they are the same as the buzzers contained in the front beeper box and the AFT beeper box. Haydn was kind enough to send me replacements for both units as a previous owner had attacked both of mine with pliers or something!

I drove my Bongo with a faulty AFT microswitch for a while, and the rear AFT beeper (in its box, behind interior trim and 3 metres away) was barely audible. I'm banking on this not being the case if located suitably close to the driver.

EDIT: whatever, though - provide a couple of fly leads from the unit and you can hook up whatever you like. Even bluetooth the signal to the HUD helmet!

Nice find - thanks . Do these contain the oscillator, i.e. connect DC and you get sound? If so that is far cheaper than the likes of RS or Farnell