Arduino: long-range 2.4 GHz radio links with nRF24L01
Two Arduinos talking over 2.4 GHz with nRF24L01 modules, no WiFi, no phone, one capacitor and a library. Sensor links that run for months.
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#sensor
17 tutorials
ESP32: measure water quality (TDS) with the analog TDS sensor
Wire the analog TDS sensor module to an ESP32, convert ADC counts to ppm with temperature compensation, and calibrate against a known solution instead of guessing.
ESP32: analog read with the ADC, and why ADC2 is broken on Wi-Fi
Use the ESP32's 12-bit ADC to read a potentiometer or analog sensor. Includes the ADC2 vs Wi-Fi trap and the input-only pin caveat.
ESP32: read an MQ-2 gas sensor (the honest reading)
Wire an MQ-2 gas sensor to an ESP32 and read combustible gas concentrations. Important caveats about what MQ sensors can and cannot tell you.
ESP32: receive IR remote signals with the VS1838B
Wire a 3-pin IR receiver module to an ESP32 and decode remote control signals. Use any TV remote, AC remote, or cheap IR remote as a wireless input.
ESP32: detect motion with a PIR motion sensor
Wire a PIR motion sensor (HC-SR501) to an ESP32 and detect people moving in a room. The foundation for security, automation, and wake-on-motion projects.
ESP32: read a soil moisture sensor (capacitive, not resistive)
Wire a capacitive soil moisture sensor to an ESP32 and read soil moisture as a percentage. Skip the resistive sensor; it corrodes and lies.
ESP32: measure DC current with the ACS712 current sensor
Wire an ACS712 current sensor module to an ESP32 and measure DC current in amps. The right way to monitor power consumption of battery devices.
ESP32: measure ambient light in lux with the BH1750
Wire a BH1750 light sensor to an ESP32 and measure ambient light in real lux units. The right sensor for daylight sensing, plant monitoring, and screen brightness.
ESP32: read a BME280 temperature, humidity, and pressure sensor
Wire a BME280 to an ESP32 over I2C and stream temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. Better than the DHT22 for anything weather-related.
ESP32: read a DS18B20 temperature sensor with OneWire
Wire one or many DS18B20 temperature sensors to a single ESP32 GPIO pin. Multiple sensors, one wire, accurate to 0.5 C.
Pico W: serve a live sensor dashboard over Wi-Fi
Read a DHT22 or BME280 and serve a live dashboard from a Pico W. The smallest, cheapest way to put a sensor reading on your phone's browser.
ESP32: read an HC-SR04 ultrasonic distance sensor
Wire an HC-SR04 to an ESP32 and measure distance in centimeters. The sensor that goes into most of my robotics projects.
Arduino: use I2C to talk to sensors and displays
I2C is the two-wire protocol that connects most Arduino sensors. This tutorial covers the wiring, the address scan, and the most common gotchas.
Pico: read a DHT22 with MicroPython
Wire a DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor to a Pico and read it from MicroPython. The smallest useful Pico sensor project.
ESP32: serve a sensor dashboard from the chip itself
Turn your ESP32 into a tiny web server that shows live sensor readings on any phone or laptop on the same Wi-Fi. No cloud, no app.
ESP32: read a DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor
Wire a DHT22 to an ESP32, install the library, and stream readings over Serial every 2 seconds. The shortest useful ESP32 project.