SI-29BG mini Arduino

DIY Geiger Counter

by Atomic Dave
Atomic.Dave@yahoo.com
Kit Developer Website:
http://sites.google.com/site/diygeigercounter/
This is a fully programmable arduino geiger counter and
with the free arduino software you can program it anyway
you desire. It has a beautiful blue backlit mini 2x8 LCD, that
can be turned on and off to save battery life. It also has a
SUPER Bright blue LED. The Piezo has a switch for those
stealth radiation scans.
The geiger tube is a Russian SI-29BG which senses Beta
and Gamma, and some say is more sensitive than the popular SBM-20. The tube is mounted at the top of the unit and
is peaking out 1.5 inches for greater sensing of radiation
samples and background.
SI-29BG SPECIFICATIONS
Operating Voltage
Initial Voltage
Recommended Operating Voltage
Plateau Length
Plateau Slope
Inherent counter background
Working range
Cobalt-60 Pulse Gamma Sensitivity
Dead time (U=400V, micro sec))
Detected Gamma radiation energy
Working Temperature Range
Length
Diameter

360 - 440V
250 - 320V
400V
100V
0.125% / 1V
0.5 Pulse/s
0.004 - 40 uR/s
48 pulse/uR
95mks
0.054-1.25 MeV
-600 +700
55mm
11mm

There are two mini usb serial plugs located at the bottom of
the unit. Both can be used to power it but they are differentThe one on the left is for charging the internal Lipo battery,
and the one on the right is for hooking up the unit to your
mac or pc and linking it to Arduino for data logging and customizing the way this unit acts and performs.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3572198/GK%20Build%20Instructions%20v3.pdf

This system comes ready to go with an internal rechargeable 3.7v 2600mah Lithium Polymer battery by Tenergy.
USB charger from Sparkfun. With the backlight on and fully
charged, expect up to 40 hours of use between charges.
The battery is then boosted to 5v by a boost regulator made
by Pololu. For more info on the battery, internal charger,
and regulator go to the links below. Please charge the battery for a few hours before first use.
1. You can power the Geiger a few different ways
a. With internal Lipo battery
b. While charging Lipo battery with USB plugged into
lower LEFT and power switch on (this is only for
charging the Lipo)
c. While uploading to Arduino with USB plugged into
upper RIGHT and power switch OFF.
d. You can also plug the USB into a 5v wall adapter
(not included)
e. You can also plug the USB into a cigarette adapter
(Not included) for mobile powering and scanning
Charger:
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10401
Battery:
http://www.batteryjunction.com/tenergy-37-2200-pcb.html
5v boost regulator:
http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/798
2. Software and Serial-USB connection information:
a. Included is a FTDI-USB serial board to link the
geiger to your mac or pc
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10008
b. Download Arduino and FTDI software
http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm
http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
c. ARDUINO SETTINGS:
1. Board type is Arduino UNO
2. Baud is 9600
d. For more info go to website under Software section
WARNING, IF YOU DO DECIDE TO OPEN UP THE CASE
AND LOOK INSIDE, PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH
ANYTHING WITH THE POWER ON AS YOU WILL SHORT
OUT AND KILL THIS SYSTEM. AND I WILL NOT
WARRANT THIS KIT FOR DAMAGE DONE. I KNOW
CAUSE I FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY. ALSO, THE
REGULATOR SOMETIMES GET A LITTLE HOT SO YOU
RISK BURNING YOURSELF TOO.