2 Geiger Counter
by Atomic.dave Atomic.Dave@yahoo.com
This is a one of a kind custom hand-made Geiger Counter built by Atomic.Dave. It is based on a kit designed by the original creator of the DIY Arduino based Geiger Counter Kit- Brohogan. For over 3 years, I
have built and sold over 100 of these kits, with very good results, and fantastic feedback by ebay customers.
All information for this kit is available at the developers website and its a good idea to visit the site from time
to time as the software and other parts of it may change, upgrade or improve. As I have said before, this is
more of a kit for someone who knows a little bit about electronics but doesnt have the time or patience to
build it, or would rather someone else do all the dirty work. Having been built by me, of course there will be
some imperfections, although as minimal as possible. These instructions will
help you to understand the basic operation of this meter. Once you have
used it a couple times, it should be pretty easy for you to operate.
OPERATION
On the face of the unit starting from the top are 3 vent holes, LCD
backlit display, 2 LEDS, then 2 momentary buttons, and 4 triple pole
slide switches. Follow the label to locate the listed switches below:
VENTS (Three grilled holes just above the display)
Under these grills are the event piezo where the sound comes out for every radiation event. Also located there
is the IR for the wireless remote control, so when operating the remote, try to aim it to this general location.
Last on the right is the piezo for the Alarm.
LEDS
After powering the GC on, you will hear the beeping of the piezo as one of the probes you have attached
picks up radiation events. The GREEN LED is for radiation events and coincides with the beeping piezo
which can be muted with the SND switch. The RED LED will only light up when a set alarm threshold is
reached. The piezo for the alarm and events are located beneath the grilled vents above the display. Both
LEDS can be turned off for indiscreet radiation monitoring. The two switches for this operation are the two in
the center of the four. LTS and ALM Middle postion is off.
SWITCHES
A. MOD momentary switch (first black tactile button on the left) does 4 things. 1- Alarm control. 2- Scaler mode
start/stop. 3- Alarm 30 second mute. 4- Menu reset.
1. When you first power on the unit, you will see:
Atomic.dave K107
BORG+plus v10.3C
This customized first welcome window can easily be changed if you want, by doing a little programming in Arduino. Refer to the ARDUINO section for more detailed instructions. But the default is now set to my name, Kit 107,
and the second line has the meter name and the version of software that the AT328 chip is running which is v10.3C.
Then a second window will come up with the first line showing the current set uSv to CPM conversion rate.
345 CPM=1 uSv/h
Running at 5.24V
The second line refers to the current voltage that your system is running at. This is a 5 volt system. The
3200mAh 3.7v lipo battery is boosted to 5v with a pololu booster. Everytime you start up your GC (geiger
counter) it will show you this so you will always know your current voltage.
The third window will show this:
Alarm Set ?
Now at 500 CPM
At this point, you can push the MOD button to incrementally change the Alarm threshold number. Once
you stop holding down the button and wait, it will be set to the current number shown on the screen and will
stay there until you change it either again restarting and waiting for this part, or by using the included remote
control to change it. You can also choose from units of measurement such as CPM or uSv/h for the Alarm
with the remote.
2. It also acts like a stopwatch starter for the scaler mode. It has two preset times of 1 minute and 10 minute
averaging. You can change this with the remote, or the sketch when connected to pc. Although it is much easier
with the remote obviously. Push the button and the timer starts where the first line is counting down from 60 seconds. The numbers on the left are the current total events during this timed one minute. The numbers on the right
is the seconds counting down from 60 to 0. Same thing goes for the second line, but for 10 minutes.
3. When your alarm goes off you can tap this button to mute the alarm for 30 seconds.
4. After programming your unit with the wireless remote, if you want to reset it to default settings. Hold
down this button while the unit starts up.
BNC
CI-8B
LND7317
+
HV
Measure Pts.
HV Toggle &
Adjustment Pots
USB Power
& Charge
Switch
Audio Out
LCD Contrast
Adjustment Pot
USB Port &
Charge Status LED
B. PWR Power switch controls the power and charging of the GC. Up turns it on the GC with battery power,
Middle turns it off, and Down position is for charging the unit. To charge the GC, push down the USB power
switch on the left side of the GC, as well as have the PWR switch down. When you do this, a RED LED to the
right of the USB port will remain constant RED while charging, and will turn BLUE when charging is complete. If you wish to power the unit with the USB in, and bypass the batteries for extended periods, put the
Power switch in the middle position, and push the USB power switch UP. Always keep the USB power switch
in the middle (OFF) when powering the unit with the batteries.
C. LTS This is the Light switch that controls both the GREEN Event LED and the LCD Backlight. Up turns on
both, Middle turns both off, and Down turns on just the LED, and turns the Backlight off for power saving.
D. ALM The Alarm switch controls the Alarm RED LED and Piezo. Up for both on, Middle for both off, and
Down for LED only on. This makes for a silent visual alarm.
E. SND The Sound switch controls the Event speaker. Up for tone mode, Middle for mute, and Down for
Standard Click Mode. More on Tone Mode later.
F. NULL The black tactile button (located on the side to the right of the SOUND switch) is used in "Tone
Mode" where clicks are replaced by a tone which varies in pitch based on the CPM. When pressed, a new
baseline is created for the pitch so if you are moving to an area with a higher background the pitch will still indicate changes at the new level.
DISPLAY IN DEPTH:
SCALER SCREEN
The top line shows the CPM (updated every 5 sec. by default) and a quick response bar graph (updated
20 times / sec.). The bargraph will be replaced with ALARM if the displayed CPM exceeds the alarm threshold. It is also replaced by Vcc when it drops below 4.2V. The second line shows the dose unit and the calculated
dose. The dose unit and the dose ratio (CPM to dose unit) are settable in the menu (controlled by the wireless
remote or via arduino). Pressing the Select button while in this screen will switch to the Scaler screen . . .
Two scalers are provided, each with its own period. The scaler on the top line is fixed at one minute and
the scaler on the bottom line is set to a programmable period from the menu. Each scaler has two modes counting and ongoing. The screen on left shows both scalers counting. A running total of the counts is displayed, along with the amount of time left for the scaler period. The screen on the left shows that the one
minute scaler finished the counting mode and is now showing the average CPM and dose rate for the period.
These values now become a moving average. The bottom scaler can also be set to "Infinity" in the menu by
setting it below 2. This is a special mode that shows the total accumulated dose since the scaler screen was
first started. Pressing the Select button while in the scaler screen will bring you back to the main screen.
However both scalers will still be accumulating counts, so you can go back and forth between the main
screen and the scaler screen and still see meaningful data.
OTHER SWITCHES, BUTTONS, PORTS, DIALS
A. Just to the right of the NULL button is the LCD contrast dial. As the LCD is used, it might get to a
point for you to readjust the contrast for it. Not a big deal, while the backlight is on, gently take a small screwdriver and turn it to the left or right until it appears to have the best contrast.
B. Located on the left lower side is the audio OUTPUT multi-port used for Geiger Bot (with the included GBot cable) Just plug in the Geiger Bot cable into this with the 3 conductor plug, and the 4 conductor into your
iphone or ipad. It also serves as a mono audio output for silent listening with headphones, or with any 3 conductor to 3 conductor M-M audio cable, you can run sound based data logging software or amplify the clicking.
C. Just to the left of the MOD switch is the USB power and charge control switch. If you want to power the GC
without using the batteries- 1. Turn off the GC battery by switching PWR to middle position. 2. plug in the USB
cable, and other end to any 5v source such as a wall charger, cigarette adapter, pc, mac or laptop usb output. 3.
Flip switch to the Up position. To charge the GC- 1. Push PWR switch down to CHARGE position. 2. Plug into USB
source. 3. Push USB switch to the down position. When you do this, a RED LED comes on to the right of the USB
port and will remain RED till it is done charging, then the RED LED will become BLUE. During normal operation
with battery, keep this switch in the middle position.
D. On the lower right side is the Mini USB FTDI output/input for programming in Arduino. This also is used
to charge the internal Lithium Ion battery (with the power switch in the bottome position.) Or it can be used to
power the GC for extended periods, however when you power it this way, I would advise to turn off the LCD
backlight. But its ok to turn it on once in a while, but I wouldnt leave it on for extended periods. When uploading
any new changes to the program sketch, you will need to have the USB PWR switch in the up position white it
is plugged into your pc with the USB cable. This same USB is used for an output to two different usb based
FREE Radiation Logging softwares. Both are PC based and not available for mac. http://radmon.org/ or
http://radiohobbystore.com/radiation-logger/
E. NEW High voltage toggle switch. Since this meter is equipped with a BNC connector, it also has two
preset high voltage settings. Both of them also have fine tuning pots for each. So they can be adjusted up or
down to increase or lower the high voltage. Left position is preset to 375v and right position is set to 530.
F. NEW High voltage measuring points. The two small holes to the left of the BNC connector on top of the
unit are for measuring high voltage for each of the toggled settings, using the included leads with the aligator
clips attached to your own multimeter. Negative is located nearest the bnc and positive is the other. There is already a 1G ohm resistor inline with the postitive side, so just hook up to your meter and measure.
Select options
Adjust Conversion
factor to your tube:
123 for LND712
175 for SBM-20
360 for LND7317
Select I/O Settings
Ultrafast Rates ON
HARDWARE
1. DIY Geiger counter kit V5.3 by Brohogan, V10.3C
2. Power System by Panasonic, Sparkfun and Pololu (please charge
the unit until the RED light turns BLUE)
A. You can power the Geiger in a couple different ways
1. With internal Lipo battery
2. With PWR switch OFF (middle), USB cable plugged into USB
port on bottom panel of GC then plugged into:
a. Computer or laptop USB
b. Wall charger block- This is the fastest way to charge the battery.
c. Standard 5v USB Cigarette adapter
d. To power and operate the unit this way for long periods, I would
suggest to TURN OFF BACKLIGHT to conserve the life of the LCD.
REPAIRS:
If the unit fails for some reason within 6 months of purchase, I will be
more than happy to do any maintenance you need at no charge except for
parts and shipping.
PACKAGE CONTENTS:
BORG Geiger Counter with BNC, HV toggle, 2 probes- LND7317 and CI8B, Lead Pig w/ Sample, Sony RM-EZ4 Remote Control, (4) Cables: (2)
BNC, Geiger bot 3 to 4 conductor, Mini USB to standard USB2. Wall and
Car chargers. CD with program sketch, photos, documents, Manual,
RAD sticker, and extra faceplate labels. FREE UV keychain flashlight with
batteries while supplies last.
LND 7317
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Gas filling
Ne +Halogen
Cathode material
Stainless Steel
Maximum length (inch/mm)
3.00/76.1
Effective depth (inch/mm)
0.5/12.7
Maximum diameter (inch/mm)
2.11/53.6
Effective diameter (inch/mm)
1.75/44.5
Connector
Grid Cap
Operating temperature range C -40 to +75
WINDOW SPECIFICATIONS
Areal density (mg/cm)
2.0
Effective diameter (inch/mm)
1.75/44.5
Material
Mica
10mm
30mm
16.5mm
80mm
70mm
65mm
mica window
C
S
B
PANCAKE 7317
53000
70000
35
ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS
3
Recommended anode resistor (meg ohm)
4.7
Maximum starting voltage (volts)
425
Recommended operating voltage (volts)
500
Operating voltage range (volts)
475 - 675
Maximum plateau slope (%/100 volts)
10
Minimum dead time (micro sec)
40
Gamma sensitivity Co60 (cps/mr/hr)
60
Tube capacitance (pf)
3
Weight (grams)
125
Maximum background shielded
50mm Pb + 3mm Al (cpm)
30
Minimum anode resistor (meg ohm)
3.3
THE GEIGER KIT IS NOT INTENDED TO GUIDE ACTIONS TO TAKE, OR NOT TO TAKE,
REGARDING EXPOSURE TO RADIATION. THE GEIGER KIT AND IT'S SOFTWARE ARE FOR
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. DO NOT RELY ON THEM IN HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS!
+ _
CI-8B
7317
MOD
PWR
LTS
ALM
SND
NULL
ALARM
SELECT
SCALER
ON
OFF/USB
CHARGE
ON
OFF
LED ON
ON
OFF
LED ON
TONE
OFF
CLICK
TONE
MODE
RESET
PROBE.2
7 (@1/8 distance)
USB
OUT
E TA
X-
PH
RA
Y
AL
GA M M
K107
atomic.dave
RADIATION DETECTOR
3
3v
LI
PO
LIPO
ON
OFF/USB
OFF/
/USB
CHARGE
CHA
ARGE
ALARM
Threshold
Timer
Timer
POW
WER
POWER
SELECT
EEVENT
VENT
LED
2
4
6
1
3
5
ON/ON
OFF
ON/OFF
5v in+
Batt+
CI-8B
375V
LIPO
CHARGER
5v in
HV
LCD Diode
Voltage
Limiter
Voltage
o
Band to left
Batt
300 OHM
RESISTOR
RESISTOR
C
LIGHT
LND
D7317
LND7317
5
25V
525V
AL
ARM
ALARM
LED
300 OHM
RESISTOR
RESISTOR
3.5mm
SSocket
ocket
1K OHM
RESISTOR
RESIST
OR
ALARM
PIEZO
PIEZO
igh Voltage
Voltage
T HHigh
TP
TTest
est P
oints
Points
.1 uF C
ap
Cap
TONE
OFF
CLICK
SOUND
1G ohm Cap
Cap
BN
NC
BNC
.1 uF C
ap
p
Cap
56K OHM
M
RESISTOR
RESIST
OR
R
AP
B C
BNC
onnector For
For
Connector
robes
CI-8B & LND7317 P
Probes
ON/ON
OFF
ON/OFF
ALARM
F
1
TONE
Reset
NULL
13
IR
HV
P
AP
ON
OFF
LED ON
GA M M
K107
E TA
PROBE.2
ALM
LTS
LTS
ON
OFF
LED ON
TONE
OFF
CLICK
SND
CHRG
CHRG
OFF
Pololu 2119
5v Boost REG
Up/Down
EP
IR
IR SENSOR
ON
USB
POWER
USB
TONE
MODE
RESET
NULL
atomic.dav
da
dave
RADIATION DETECTOR
OUT
PWR
ON
OFF/USB
CHARGE
ALARM
SELECT
SCALER
A
MOD
FTDI
BNC
G B C D E R
EEP
TP
PH
RA
Y
X-
AL