Simple Air Sensor

This is a revision from April 08, 2019 21:26. View all revisions

This barebones onboarding kit will help you explore how the particulate sensor used in the closed source #PurpleAir responds to air conditions through a simple colored light readout. NOTE: The colored light is not related to the AQI colors in any way.

For context, this kit aims to grow into a open source project that functions similarly to #PurpleAir so that, over time, people can transfer the expertise they've developed as #PurpleAir users regarding installation, organizing, communication, etc. Conceptually, it's an offramp from a corporately controlled, closed source project that lacks public forums for asking and answering questions, or for organizing around data.

There are other, more complex, open source projects that aim to be similar to #PurpleAir, see:

This barebones sensor circuit uses the same type of particle detector as the #PurpleAir sensor, but only one as compared to #PurpleAir's two; does not have a BME280 temperature, humidity and pressure sensor as the Purple Air does; and instead of logging either to the cloud or to the device itself, it displays a red/yellow/green light based on PM2.5 levels it detects. NOTE: The colored light is not related to the AQI colors in any way.

Quite a few people have built simple open source, Arduino-based devices around the cheap #plantower particulate air sensor datasheet, and this is a bare-bones version that is easy to assemble (no soldering, just push wires into a breadboard), and comes pre-programmed. We also offer it assembled and ready to plug in in the Public Lab Store.

Parts List

1 Arduino
1 RBG LED Light
1 Sensor with cable
1 Breadboard

Uses

to see immediate qualitative differences in air quality at low cost
to use in groups (with 3+ sensors) to plan out placement of a #purple-air or other more expensive sensor, for example with consideration for wind direction

Questions

Title	Author	Updated	Likes	Comments
What do the different colors mean on the Simple Air Sensor?	@stevie	over 5 years ago	2	5
How could we design a group activity around siting air sensors?	@warren	over 5 years ago	1	9
What do I do next, after using a low-cost or DIY air sensor?	@warren	over 5 years ago	1	5
What happens to the simple air sensor when the battery pack runs low?	@stevie	over 5 years ago	1	9
Can someone clarify the colors on the simple air sensor? (turning white when plugged in)	@stevie	over 5 years ago	2	5
Brainstorm on ways to use colored light to show sensor readings	@warren	over 5 years ago	2	7
What are the advantages to using 2 particle sensors at the same time?	@warren	over 5 years ago	1	11
Is there a predictive relationship between the number of PM 2.5 and smaller airborne particulates compared to the mass of the same ug per cubic meter?	@Tomp	over 5 years ago	2	5
What are some activities for using the Simple Air Sensor as part of a broader air quality project?	@warren	over 5 years ago	0	15
Can we log data on an Arduino without an SD card?	@warren	over 5 years ago	0	3
Questions about Plantower sensors from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire	@OrionAllgaier	over 5 years ago	2	5