Raspberry Pi enthusiasts, developers, or makers wishing to connect multiple sensors to their Raspberry Pi mini PC may be interested in the Whitebox Labs T3 shield and Atlas EZO sensors, which when combined make the process very easy. The team over at Atlas Scientific has kindly published a tutorial to the Hackster.io website providing full instructions on how to go about setting up multiple Atlas EZO sensors on a Raspberry Pi using the shield.
Connecting Multiple Sensors
In this example, Atlas Scientific connects three of their EZO sensors, enabling the Raspberry Pi 3B+ to measure pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. “Instead of wiring the circuits to the Raspberry Pi, we will be using the Whitebox Labs Tentacle T3 shield. These stackable shields plug into the pins of the Pi after which the EZO circuits and probes connect to the shield. Interacting with the sensors is done using the command terminal in Raspbian.”
The Whitebox Labs T3 shield simplifies the process of connecting multiple sensors by providing a stackable interface that plugs directly into the GPIO pins of the Raspberry Pi. This eliminates the need for complex wiring and soldering, making it accessible even for beginners. The shield supports up to three EZO circuits, which can be used to measure various parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature.
Setting Up the Sensors
To set up the sensors, you will need to follow a series of steps outlined in the tutorial on Hackster.io. First, you will need to install the necessary software on your Raspberry Pi. This includes the Raspbian operating system and the required libraries for communicating with the EZO sensors. Once the software is installed, you can connect the T3 shield to the Raspberry Pi and attach the EZO circuits to the shield.
The tutorial provides detailed instructions on how to configure the sensors using the command terminal in Raspbian. This involves sending specific commands to the sensors to calibrate them and retrieve data. For example, to measure pH, you would send a command to the pH sensor to take a reading and then process the data to obtain the pH value.
The tutorial also covers how to write a Python script to automate the process of reading data from the sensors and displaying it on the Raspberry Pi. This allows you to continuously monitor the parameters and log the data for further analysis. The Python script can be customized to suit your specific requirements, such as setting thresholds for alerts or integrating with other systems.
Applications and Use Cases
The ability to connect multiple sensors to a Raspberry Pi opens up a wide range of applications and use cases. For example, you can use the setup to monitor water quality in an aquarium or a hydroponic system. By measuring parameters such as pH and dissolved oxygen, you can ensure that the water conditions are optimal for the health of the fish or plants.
Another application is in environmental monitoring. By deploying the Raspberry Pi with the T3 shield and EZO sensors in a natural water body, you can collect data on water quality over time. This data can be used for research purposes or to detect pollution events and take corrective actions.
The setup can also be used in educational settings to teach students about sensor technology and data analysis. By working with real sensors and data, students can gain hands-on experience and develop practical skills that are valuable in various fields.
For more details and full instructions on setting up sensors on your Raspberry Pi mini PC, jump over to the Hackster.io website by following the link below:
Source: Hackster.io
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