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Registered Member #1334
Joined: Tue Feb 19 2008, 04:37PM
Location: Nr. London, UK
Posts: 615
I would like to make/DIY a cheap low res thermal imaging camera so I can monitor heat loss from my beehives during winter... indeed, it would help me tell is a colony was still alive without having to open the box (and release heat, possibly killing the bees in the process). "Schroedinger's Bees", perhaps
It therefore needs to be portable. Great accuracy is not required, nor, theoretically is colour, though that'd be nice.
I'm thinking webcam sensor with IR filter removed or similar, plus an Arduino or similar, plus an LCD. Oh, and battery powered for a reasonable amount of time. I'm completely happy with any amount of electronics or embedded control work (programming etc.)...
Rather than random ideas (many of which I've already researched), has any one got practical experience in this or know of a viable solution/approach?
Registered Member #56
Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:02AM
Location: Southern Califorina, USA
Posts: 2445
Have you looked into the new 16x4 element detectors?
I have not had a chance to play with it directly, but its a heck of a lot cheaper than the actual thermal cameras I have used.
As per removing the IR filter from a webcam, unless your bees are at several hundred degrees there will not be any light in the 1um range (limit of a silicon device), you need a sensor which is sensitive to mir or far IR for room temperature applications
Registered Member #2939
Joined: Fri Jun 25 2010, 04:25AM
Location:
Posts: 615
This approach is really the only way to do thermal imaging on the cheap. Forget silicon sensors : longest absorption wavelength for silicon is 1.1um ; thermal imaging operates in the 5um to 14um range.
Cheapest real thermal camera I've seen is about $3k.
Registered Member #2431
Joined: Tue Oct 13 2009, 09:47PM
Location: Chico, CA. USA
Posts: 5639
i think your making this too complicated.
is it possible to put several thermistors at the center of each hive, before its populated? then a ribbon cable and small circuit board with a switch so you can check multiple hives from a safe distance?
Registered Member #1334
Joined: Tue Feb 19 2008, 04:37PM
Location: Nr. London, UK
Posts: 615
... wrote ...
Have you looked into the new 16x4 element detectors?
I have not had a chance to play with it directly, but its a heck of a lot cheaper than the actual thermal cameras I have used.
As per removing the IR filter from a webcam, unless your bees are at several hundred degrees there will not be any light in the 1um range (limit of a silicon device), you need a sensor which is sensitive to mir or far IR for room temperature applications
That's a great find - its Apple-only at the moment - I'm Android-based, but it looks like it would easily do the job I need.
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Need a CHEAP thermal imaging camera...
