DIY PAR Meter Question

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 5, 2017

TheEngineer said:
Yep, saw that. I get over 200 mV. That’s where my question stems from.

Got it. Would that mean a short?

I'd ask an engineer about that.

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 5, 2017

TheEngineer said:
They say multiply the number by 5 to get PAR. I get 1200 mV. I’m not putting out 6000 par.

There shouldn't be that much variation from sensor to sensor I should think.

TheEngineer · Oct 5, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Got it. Would that mean a short?

I'd ask an engineer about that.

I wish I knew one.... oh wait!

definitely not a short. It changes with light.

saltyfilmfolks said:
There shouldn't be that much variation from sensor to sensor I should think.

This sensor came from a complete unit. It isn’t a standalone. They make multiple voltage versions of the sensor. This could be a 5V version. I was hoping someone would know.

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 5, 2017

TheEngineer said:
I wish I knew one.... oh wait! definitely not a short. It changes with light.

This sensor came from a complete unit. It isn’t a standalone. They make multiple voltage versions of the sensor. This could be a 5V version. I was hoping someone would know.

Haha. Might be easier to call them
Easier than talking to wonderful but knuckle heaed folks like me.

With duct tape howerever, do the lux par. Do the par meter. See what the number is.

Use the par meter in the dark to insure it zeroes.

Compare the par meter reading to a 1:1 ratio at full with your light with the Lux meter and compare to the par specs from the manufacturer at the same distance.

60btw is the average constant I've found at 1:1 with most all lights.

Most all the lights I have metered (lux) match the company par specs across the board in air .

Oh. And I need to know what lux your Radion will do at 12 in please.

Ranjib · Oct 6, 2017

Hope this help , I am using this to investigate how I can support apogee sensor with reef-pi
https://bitknitting.wordpress.com/2016/06/19/making-a-par-and-dli-meter-using-an-arduino/

NoellEagan · Oct 9, 2017

Hi...i am a new user here. As per my knowledge with duct tape howerever, do the lux par. Do the par meter. See what the number is.Use the par meter in the dark to insure it zeroes.Compare the par meter reading to a 1:1 ratio at full with your light with the Lux meter and compare to the par specs from the manufacturer at the same distance.60btw is the average constant I've found at 1:1 with most all lights.

TheEngineer · Oct 9, 2017

NoellEagan said:
Hi...i am a new user here. As per my knowledge with duct tape howerever, do the lux par. Do the par meter. See what the number is.Use the par meter in the dark to insure it zeroes.Compare the par meter reading to a 1:1 ratio at full with your light with the Lux meter and compare to the par specs from the manufacturer at the same distance.60btw is the average constant I've found at 1:1 with most all lights.

Thanks. Welcome to R2R

bigroost · Oct 9, 2017

This has nothing to do with what you asked, but I thought I would throw it in. I have had some luck with taking electronics that found their way into my tank and giving them a good washing in rodi and a thorough drying. Its brought a few things back to life. A lot of this stuff the water doesn't hurt but the salt that get left behind won't allow it to work correctly.

TheEngineer · Oct 10, 2017

bigroost said:
This has nothing to do with what you asked, but I thought I would throw it in. I have had some luck with taking electronics that found their way into my tank and giving them a good washing in rodi and a thorough drying. Its brought a few things back to life. A lot of this stuff the water doesn't hurt but the salt that get left behind won't allow it to work correctly.

Thanks. You can submerge them (unpowered) in rubbing alcohol to get the funk off. Several parts rusted off, so there's no cleaning that will help them.