On: Show HN: Live Air Quality Monitor

[ssuds]

Cool project, but I’m curious how this is different from other open source air quality monitoring projects like AirGradient?

[benbojangles → ssuds]

This is a DIY board and roughly 150 cheaper than airgradient

[ssuds → benbojangles]

For sure. Was just curious as they started out with a super basic DIY setup https://www.airgradient.com/documentation/diy/ (which can be implemented without the PCB even, as another commenter in this thread suggested) so I was wondering if there was a functionality you found was missing that sparked you to create this project!

[benbojangles → ssuds]

From reading their specs, my pcb uses higher spec components (esp32, scd41, sgp41), newer technology, better accuracy, more sensing capability (VOC, & N0x)

[wkat4242 → benbojangles]

It probably doesn't even need a board, you can just wire all the sensors in a box and solder the cables. Each sensor only has 3 or 4 and so does the display.

But a board is cleaner and they're super cheap to get made in China unless you're shipping to the US I guess lol.

I've built sensor boards like these too. But more with Dallas one wire sensors to measure temperature in different locations of central heating systems.

[benbojangles → wkat4242]

Wires are chaotic and a point of failure

[wkat4242 → benbojangles]

True but they do facilitate more flexible placement. I use them a lot for one off projects.

[benbojangles → wkat4242]

Have you tried kicad

[wkat4242 → benbojangles]

No I usually use CircuitMaker. I like their big footprint database.