Temperature sensor

[derrick_chi]

Can anyone help me out with this, I am looking for a temperature sensor which can take a accurate reading for a nitro big block engine and report back the temperature data in some serial output form, RS232, I2C, PWM or anything of the kind.

[ed1380]

what you need to search for is thermistor. its a resistor that changes resistance with temperature. that goes into a mcu that converts the resistance to data and from there you decide what to do with it

[derrick_chi]

ahh, ha  OK I'll do a search thanks. All other suggestions are welcome

[derrick_chi]

Doesn't seem like these sensors have a high enough threshold for the type of application I need them for I need a sensor that can stand temperatures above 250c.  In addition to the fact that I can't seem to locate any.

[ed1380]

google high temp thermistor

heres one of teh first things i found.

might have to call them to get a price
http://www.thermometrics.com/assets/images/htp.pdf

[TrickyNekro]

I like thermistors but supposingly the motor won't go higher that 150C, I hope so K type sensors will fit you the best as the have very good response... much greater than a thermistor and if you know a little about microcontrollers you can make it running fo' sure!!!

[derrick_chi]

K type sensors ?

  OK I'll take a look online for those.

[derrick_chi]

Can anyone give me some links, of where I can purchase these k type sensor, I can't seem to find any.  Has anyone here used them before, can they interface with an controller?

[clone]

thermistors change in resistance with temperature change... whereas j, k, and S type sensors are THERMOCOUPLES and produce a voltage depending on the temperature.

so depending on which you use, you will have to adjust your circuit and code.

here is a good source of info.
http://www.ivaldi.fr/pages_anglaises/capteurtempus.html

[wil.hamilton]

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php?c=82

a page with thermistors and k type thermocouple

[Soeren]

Hi,

Can anyone help me out with this, I am looking for a temperature sensor which can take a accurate reading for a nitro big block engine and report back the temperature data in some serial output form, RS232, I2C, PWM or anything of the kind.

If this is just for logging, then fine, but if you plan to control  some part of the combustion or supply by this, I'd think twice and then buy a finished solution - well perhaps not, but I get the feeling that the electronics side of such a device might be hard for you (?)
After all, it's a crime to blow a Big-Block any other way than by over-feeding it (which is pretty hard to do )

You could use a thermo couple. The inherent non-linearity can be compensated, but you need to make a cold junction compensation, which is not all that easy around a combustion motor.

I'd recommend a PT100 which will be easier for you to get working (what any pro would choose for this).

Read about both types at: http://www.amra.be/Techinfo.htm.

[benji]

there are many temp controllers out in the market that provides more than 1 temp monitoring and PID temp control with auto tuning.
they also provide all thermocouple types interfaces and pt100 interface. (like ones from WATLOW)
all of these features are really hard to build in a circuit and takes a long time.

if you just want to monitor then before buying a sensor or a thermocouple check its output voltage/temp response , to be sure if you can interface it to the processor you are using.