Arbelos Geiger Counter K54-LND712

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 John Giametti (username: Brohogan) All information for this kit is available at the developers website. 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. DIY GEIGER COUNTER DEVELOPERS WEBSITE:

http://www.sites.google.com/site/diygeigercounter/ OPERATION 1. LCD DISPLAY: Flip POWER, EVENT, LIGHT, ALARM, switches UP for ON. The LCD backlight display light comes on, you will hear beeping, and you see the words:

Atomic.Dave K54 Arbelos LND712p

This customized first welcome window can easily be changed if you want, by doing a little programming in Arduino. Refer to the DIY site for directions at the SOFTWARE section. The second window will show something like this:

100 CPM to uSv Running at 5.14V

The first line refers to the conversion rate of CPM to uSv/hr for your LND712 tube (100) this can be changed in the program sketch, with Arduino, but it is set so no change is necessary. The second line refers to the current voltage that your system is running at. This is a 5 volt system. The (2) 2600mAh 1.2v nimh batteries are boosted to 5v with a pololu Step up/down booster. Everytime you start up your GC (geiger counter) it will show you this so you will always know your current voltage. After that, the third window will look something like this:

CPM 48 uSv/hr

| | | | | | | | | | 0.48

On the first line is the current CPM and to the right of it is a graphical simulation of by the second CPM representation. On the second line is the converted uSv/hr. (48 divided by 100) if it was a different geiger tube such as the SBM-20, then the conversion rate would be 175 or 48 divided by 175 which would be 0.27. LEDS Right away, you will hear the beeping of the piezo as your LND712 GM tube picks up radiation events. There are two LEDs. The BLUE is for radiation events and coincides with the beeping piezo which can be muted with the mute switch just below it. The RED comes on only when the set threshold is reached. SWITCHES ON the face of the unit (in clockwise order) starting from POWER, then EVENT (mute for piezo beep for all RAD events), ALARM (mute for Alarm piezo) then lastly the LCD display backlight on/off LIGHT switch. On top of the unit is the button as described below. GREEN MENU MODE BUTTON 1. When you first turn on the unit, the third window will prompt you to set the Alarm. If you have not set it yet, it will say Alarm OFF. However if you hold the mode button down the alarm set amount will climb in increments of 10 cpm till it gets to 100, then it climbs in sets of 50 until it reaches a max of 600 cpm, until you let go, and once you let go, that is what the alarm threshold will be until you reset it. As long as you don't reset it, that is the amount it will remain at. I have preset the alarm to 150 CPM. 2. The first display that comes up is the current CPM and below it is the level of uSv/hr. To the right of the CPM is a bar graphic representative of the level of Radiation occuring by the second. The CPM and uSv portion is updated every 4 seconds. 3. Press the mode button and a new display will come up. It is like a stopwatch and as soon as you press it for the first time it will start the timer process where it will give you average counts in a 1 minute and 10 minute period. Until it reaches 1 minute or 10 minutes it will show current total counts. After it reaches those points it will show the uSv conversion on the right column. 4. Press the mode button again and it will go back to the first menu. 3.5MM MULTIPORT At the Top, a little off center, is the output multi-port used for Safecast (with the included Safecast cable), and for Geiger Graph and RAD OSX (with the optional USB/FTDI cable) Just plug in the Safecast cable in with the 3 conductor plug, and the 4 conductor into your iphone or ipad. Or plug the optional FTDI 3.5mm to USB cable into the port, and into a USB on your mac or PC, then follow instructions to run those programs. It also serves as an mono audio output for silent listening with headphones. I have also supplied you with a audio cable that you can use to plug your unit into your mac or pcs mic input, then you can run audio based geiger counter data logging software such as RAD OSX. However the prefered method is to use the optional cable that is listed below. Google FTDI/TTL-232R-3V3-AJ.

ARDUINO Software and Serial-USB connection information: ON the cd you will find the FTDI driver and Arduino program version 1. Install both and restart your mac. Copy the Geiger Sketch folder to the same folder as your Arduino program is and remember where that is as that will be where you go to save your sketch everytime you make a change to it. There will also be a Library folder that will also need to be in the same folder. Just remember that the folder has to be the same exact name as the sketch name is. And also within Arduino, you will have to go to preferences and show Arduino where your default sketch folder is. ARDUINO SETTINGS: 1. Open Arduino 2. Open the saved sketch .ino file, connect your Geiger counter to the USB with power switch off. 3. Verify the file by clicking the little check mark icon. 4. Click TOOLS, and Select Board type as Arduino UNO, and select serial port as the top tty choice. 5. Click Serial Monitor (top right looking glass icon). Set Baud rate to 9600 and you should see the CPM, uSv and geiger counter voltage data coming up once per minute. For more info go to website under Software section on the DIY geiger counter website. Or go to Arduino.cc Safecast SUGGESTED SETTINGS: (You will probably have to play with it to get it just right- and I used to use Geiger Bot, but it seems that Safecast is more stable and works everytime.) https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/safecast/id571167450?mt=8

Select options

Select Geiger Counter

Select LND712 CS137

Adjust Conversion factor to your tube: 123 for LND712 175 for SBM-20 360 for LND7317 Select I/O Settings

Auto Adjust OFF (you may need to play with this setting) RMS Window 1 Delay Window 30 Volume Thresh 20000

Ultrafast Rates ON

RAD OSX free data logging for macs: (although you can use the included 3.5mm male to male 3 conductor to 3 conductor audio cable from the multiport to your PC or Macs MIC input, it works best with the FTDI/TTL USB cable below) http://www.blackcatsystems.com/GM/download.html GEIGER GRAPH FOR PC NETWORKS: http://www.imagesco.com/geiger/geiger-graph.html (cost is around $60. Use the Optional FTDI 3.5mm to USB cable) This is a PC only software. To purchase the optional cable go to: www.mouser.com, and do a search for: FTDI/TTL-232R-3V3-AJ HARDWARE 1. DIY Geiger counter kit V3.0 by Brohogan http://www.sites.google.com/site/diygeigercounter/ 2. LND 712 Geiger Muller Tube 3. Power System by Tenergy and Pololu (please charge the batteries fully before first use) A. You can power the Geiger in a couple different ways 1. With internal nimh batteries 2. With USB cable plugged into data port on RIGHT side of geiger then plugged into: a. Computer or laptop USB b. 5V USB Wall charger block (not included) c. Standard 5v USB Cigarette adapter (not included) d. To power and operate the unit this way make sure POWER SWITCH IS IN OFF POSITION - Its ok to have switch the on for a little while, but DAMAGE MIGHT OCCUR if left this way for long periods- best bet is NOT to do this. e. For long usage of geiger counter (constant on for long periods) the preferred way to power it would be to use the USB cable plugged in right FTDI port and power OFF. POWER and OTHER SYSTEM ITEMS: A. (2) Tenergy Nimh AA battery - 1.2v 2600mAh http://www.batteryjunction.com/1po20aaba.html Full recharge in 3-7 hours, provides approximately 25-40 hour constant use of geiger counter Remove the batteries by unscrewing the battery compartment plate. Place in charger and charge. B. Pololu Step Up/Step Down Voltage Regulator S7V7F5 http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/2119 C. Sparkfun 5V FTDI Basic Breakout https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9716

LND-712 GEIGER MULLER TUBE Installed inside the handmade custom mini probe is a END WINDOW LND 712 which senses Alpha, Beta and Gamma. The tube is secured inside the aluminum tube with a rubber gasket and foam wrapping. Inside the tube is the specified anode resistor for the tube 10M ohm. It is then wired to a BNC connector. You can attach the probe to your unit with either the mini BNC baton connector, or the 2 foot cable. Or any other BNC cable you might want to purchase yourself. One thing to know is that the longer the cable, the less sensitive the unit/tube will be. http://www.lndinc.com/products/711/ ENCLOSURE Hammond 1553 Enclosure, Dimensions: 147mm X 89mm X 24mm http://www.hammondmfg.com/1553.htm REPAIRS: I will be more than happy to do any maintenance or calibration, if you need at no charge except shipping. PACKAGE CONTENTS: In your package you will find: Geiger Counter, Probe with LND712, 2 foot BNC cable, mini BNC baton connector, Lead Pig w/ Samples, (3) Cables: Geiger bot 3 to 4 conductor, Audio 3 to 3 conductor, Mini USB to standard USB2, CD with software and documents, Manual, stickers, and extra faceplate label. LND Manufacturer warranty for 712 tube.

LIGHT
ALPH A
s

TA s BE G

POWER

ARBELOS
PROBE

MA M A

ALARM

EVENT

LND712 LND 712

RADIATION DETECTOR

atomic.dave

Top View of Assembly SECTION A-A (Side View Inside Assembly)

19.50 [.768] (Inner Box Height) Top Cover 69.68 [2.743] (Inlay Width)

A
Detail View of PCB Boss
(Located on Top and Bottom Cover) 4.50 [.177]

(P.C. Board)

147.24 [5.797] [.236] (Top and Bottom Assem Boss P) [.197]

P 5.00

130.68 [5.145] (Inlay Length)

P 6.00

A
58.93 [2.320] (Front Inlay Width)

Bottom Cover

Front Panel

89.00 [3.504] .46 [.018] (PCB dist from end panel)

End View of Assembly B

SECTION B-B (Inside of Bottom Cover)

Enclosures can be Factory Modified ( Milling, Drilling, Printing etc. ) Solid models of this enclosure available in STEP or IGES. Contact Factory mjm@hammondmfg.com NOTE
80.98 [3.188] (Inner Box Width at Center)

Bottom Cover

Front Panel 88.97 [3.503] 59.95 [2.360] P.C. Board (Not Supplied)

.50 [.020] (Inlay Depth)

3.66 [.144] (PCB dist from inner wall) 68.93 [2.714] (Inner Box Width at End)

Enclosure molded from GP ABS (UL94-HB) plastic. Purchased assembly includes top and bottom cover, front plastic panel, battery door, battery spring clips, 9V adapter and 4 cover screws.

PART NUMBERS
140.24 [5.521] (Inner Box Length) P.C. Board Aligned on PCB Bosses

25.00 [.984]

1553D Enclosure Black Enclosure/Grey Over-mold Grey Enclosure/Grey Over-mold ACCESSORIES

P3.20

1553DBKBAT 1553DGYBAT Cover Screws (Pkg 100) [#4 x 5/8" self-tapping oval head (15.9mm)] 1593MS100 (Silver) 1593MS100BK (Black)

Front/Rear Panel (Dashed Line Indicates Viewing Area)

19.77 [.778] 11.49 [.452] 30.14 [1.187]

Maximum P.C. Board Size

45.89 [1.807] [.126]

P.C. Board Screws [#4 x 1/4" self-tapping (6.4mm)] Belt or Pocket Clip
R3.42 [.135] 106.80 [4.205] 5.46 [.215]

68.94 [2.714] (Viewing Area)

1593ATS50 (Pkg 50) 1593ATS100 (Pkg 100) 1599CLIP (Black) 1599CLIPGY (Grey)

67.32 [2.650] 2.50 [.098]

46.04 [1.812]

73.67 62.75 [2.900] [2.470] P.C. Board (Not Supplied)

17.73 [.698]

71.76 [2.825]

(Viewing Area)

22.03 [.867]

1553D-BAT
10.28 [.405]

MULTI-SOFTWARE OUTPUT PORT

.1 uF Cap 56K OHM RESISTOR 3.5mm Socket

ARBELOS
PROBE

ALARM

ALPH A

MOMENTARY SWITCH FOR ALARM OR MENU SELECT

.1 uF Cap
LIGHT

1K OHM RESISTOR

TA s BE G
MA M A

POWER

EVENT

+
R11

39K0 ohm
LED Output

8 9 10 11 12 13 7 6 5 4 3 2 + 10K Pot

LND712 6107

RADIATION DETECTOR

atomic.dave

+
27K ohm
R14

ON/OFF Switch for Event Piezo

14 15 16 17 18 19

1N4148 diode
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 13 15 10 12 14 16

New Haven Adapter board

EVENT LED

270 OHM RESISTOR

MDy 2 x 16 mini LCD

5v Step UP/DN Boost

3V LED
300 OHM RESISTOR

+
SLIDE MUTE ON/OFF SWITCH

ALARM HOOKUP

9V