Introduction of the Project

Building a DIY engine temperature checker with Arduino is a fun and rewarding project for anyone interested in electronics and DIY projects. With the right components and instructions, even beginners can build their own engine temperature checker that is accurate, reliable, and easy to use.

To build this Arduino project, we will use a temperature sensor and LCD to display the temperature of the engine. This will help to prevent any accident due to the rise in temperature of the engine.

Supplies

To build an engine temperature checker with Arduino, you will need an Arduino microcontroller, a temperature sensor, and a display to show the temperature readings. Additionally, you will need some basic electronic components such as resistors, wires, and a breadboard or PCB to assemble the circuit.

Components

• Arduino Uno R3
• 1 LCD 16 x 2
• 1 Resistor
• 1 Temperature Sensor
• 1 Small Breadboard
• Connecting wires

Circuit Diagram

Steps To Build An Engine Temperature Checker With Arduino

Step 1: Assemble all the components on the Physical Table or Digital Board.

LCD:

Step 2: Connect the Power & the LED anode terminal of the LCD to the 5V pin of the Arduino.

Step 3: Connect the Ground, Contrast, and Read/Write & LED cathode terminals of the LCD to the GND pin of the Arduino, as shown in the circuit.

Step 4: Connect the Register Select, Enable, & DB4 to DB7 pins of it to the 2 to 7 number pins of the Arduino, respectively, as shown in the figure.

Temperature Sensor:

Step 5: Connect the Power terminal of the temperature sensor to the 5V pin of the Arduino.

Step 6: Connect the Ground terminal of the temperature sensor to the GND pin of the Arduino.

Step 7: Connect the Vout terminal of the temperature sensor to the A0 number pin of the Arduino.

Source Code

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
LiquidCrystal lcd(2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7);
int temp = 0;
int status = 0;
float voltage = 0.0;
void setup()
{
lcd.begin(16,2);
pinMode(A0, INPUT);
}
void loop()
{
status = analogRead(A0);


voltage = status * 5.0;
voltage = voltage/1024.0;
temp = (voltage - 0.5) * 100;


lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Temperature = ");
lcd.setCursor(14, 0);
lcd.print(temp);
delay(2000);
}

Explanation of the Code

1. We have first included the liquid crystal library and then initialized its object w.r.t the pin number to which the LCD is connected to the Arduino.

2. After that, we initialized some variables to 0, in which we will be storing the input value from the sensor.

3. In the setup function, we have declared the LCD as having 2 rows and 16 columns. Also, we have configured the pin mode for input purposes.

4. In the loop function, we are reading the input from the sensor and calculating the voltage and temperature in degree centigrade, and printing it on the LCD screen.

Output

On starting the simulation, the LCD will display the temperature of the engine in degree centigrade.

Points To Remember

Here are some important points to keep in mind when building a DIY engine temperature checker with Arduino:

• Choose the right temperature sensor: Select a temperature sensor that is suitable for measuring the temperature range of your engine. The most commonly used temperature sensors for this application are thermistors and thermocouples.
• Choose the right display: Select a display that is suitable for your needs and provides clear and accurate temperature readings. Common display options include LED displays, LCD screens, and OLED displays.
• Assemble the circuit: Use a breadboard or PCB to assemble the circuit components, including the temperature sensor, display, and Arduino microcontroller. Follow the wiring diagram carefully to ensure all connections are correct.
• Write the code: Use the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to write and upload the code to the microcontroller. The code should be written to read temperature data from the sensor and display the readings on the chosen display.
• Test and calibrate the temperature sensor: Before use, it is important to test and calibrate the temperature sensor to ensure accuracy and reliability. This can be done using a known temperature source, such as boiling water, and comparing the readings to the expected values.
• Add additional features: Consider adding additional features, such as an alarm or data logging, to enhance the functionality of your engine temperature checker with Arduino.
• Ensure safety: When testing the engine temperature checker, ensure that it is safe and does not interfere with the operation of the vehicle. Always follow safe electrical practices and handle components carefully.

With these points in mind, you can build a functional and reliable engine temperature checker with Arduino that provides accurate and timely temperature readings for your vehicle.

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Cisco Ramon

Cisco Ramon is an American software engineer who has experience in several popular and commercially successful programming languages and development tools. He has been writing content since last 5 years. He is a Senior Manager at Rude Labs Pvt. Ltd.