neeed help with temp monitor with lcd or 7-segment

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zogthegreat

Joined: 29 Jan 2009
Posts: 1

30 Jan 2009 14:56 neeed help with temp monitor with lcd or 7-segment

Hi everyone,

I am new to building circuits, although I have a good background in computers, programing and tinkering with anything I can get my grubby mitts on.

I am trying to build a custom server case for my file server and am trying to construct a display that will show a temperatures for 5 or more contact style flat thermal sensors, (2 for my cpus, 1 for water temp, 1 for power supply that will be modified and one for ambient case temp). I would also like to add the circuitry to monitor system fan speeds, (there is one fan connected to the radiator, might need a second depending how crazy I go inside).

I really would like the output to go to a programmable LCD, however a 7-segment display would also work fine, (the more pretty lights, the better it looks, right?).

I am not really looking for a step by step, (although after all the searching I have been doing, I might ask for one in the end). What I really would like is just a point in the right direction.

I know I can buy something that will do what I want for about $10.00, but that is not the point. I really do want to make this myself and learn something in the process. Any advice would really be appreciated.

zog

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davidgrm

Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 232
Helped: 21

30 Jan 2009 15:53 Re: neeed help with temp monitor with lcd or 7-segment

If you want to do it yourself.... use a microcontroller such as an Atmel AVR Mega16. It has multiple ADC channels. For the display it is much easier to use an off the shelf 4 x 20 lcd display which usually has an industry standard parallel interface and accepts standard ASCII. Make sure that it is backlit with the color of your choice. The LCD also uses less current the 7 seg LEDS and is much easier to program if you are new at this Smile