Makers searching for a project to keep them busy this weekend and for a little time afterwards, may be interested in this awesome Raspberry Pi Geiger counter created by Hackster.io member Chris Crocker-White. The desktop radiation monitor has been created thanks to an affordable board to which a few additional accessories such as a Raspberry Pi, toggle switches, and Nixie tubes have been added.
“I was always a fan of the steampunk style, and having also had experience building steam engines in the past, there was only one real direction this project could go. Once I had my radiation detector kit hooked up to my Raspberry Pi running InfluxDB and Grafana, I found myself woodworking, machining, and fabricobbling an enclosure out of mahogany, brass, copper, toggle switches and, because it just had to be done, Nixie tubes.”
“Read the story of the almost year-long journey (*cough* some other stuff cropped up…) I went on to make my steampunk vision a reality below, and if you want to get up and running quickly, find out how to build your own simple one.”
Building the Steampunk Geiger Counter
The project began with the core component: a radiation detector kit. This kit was then integrated with a Raspberry Pi, a versatile and affordable single-board computer that has become a favorite among hobbyists and makers. The Raspberry Pi was chosen for its ability to run InfluxDB and Grafana, powerful tools for data collection and visualization. InfluxDB is a time-series database that can handle high write and query loads, making it perfect for logging radiation levels over time. Grafana, on the other hand, is an open-source platform for monitoring and observability, which allows users to create dashboards and graphs to visualize the data collected by InfluxDB.
To give the Geiger counter a unique steampunk aesthetic, Chris used materials such as mahogany, brass, and copper. These materials were carefully selected to evoke the Victorian-era industrial look that defines steampunk. The use of Nixie tubes, vintage electronic devices used for displaying numerals, added an authentic touch to the project. Nixie tubes are often sought after for their retro-futuristic appearance, making them a perfect fit for a steampunk-themed project.
Challenges and Learning Experiences
One of the significant challenges Chris faced was the integration of the various components. Ensuring that the radiation detector kit worked seamlessly with the Raspberry Pi required careful planning and execution. Additionally, the woodworking and metalworking aspects of the project demanded precision and skill. Chris had to fabricate custom parts and enclosures to house the electronics, which involved machining and assembling pieces of mahogany, brass, and copper.
Another challenge was the software setup. Configuring InfluxDB and Grafana to work with the Raspberry Pi and the radiation detector kit required a good understanding of both software platforms. Chris had to write scripts to collect data from the radiation detector and feed it into InfluxDB. Then, he used Grafana to create visualizations that displayed the radiation levels in real-time.
Despite these challenges, the project was a rewarding experience. Chris not only created a functional Geiger counter but also learned valuable skills in electronics, woodworking, and software development. The project also provided an opportunity to explore the steampunk aesthetic, combining modern technology with vintage design elements.
For those interested in replicating this project, Chris has shared detailed instructions and resources on Hackster.io. The project page includes a list of materials, step-by-step instructions, and code snippets to help others build their own steampunk Geiger counter.
Source: Adafruit : Chris Crocker-White : Hackster.io
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