Radioactive@Home
is a Polish science project using the distributed computing capabilities of the BOINC platform. The main goal of the project is to create a free and continuously updated map of radiation levels available for everyone, by gathering information about gamma radiation using sensors connected to the computers of volunteers willing to participate in the project. Project is completely non-commercial, participating will be free of charge (excluding cost of detector) and the software will be licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
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Radioactive@Home detector assembly manual
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!! WARNING !!
When device is connected to the USB on the right side of the board - from items marked as R22, R23 to the right there is a voltage ~ 400VDC which may be hazardous to your health and even life!
Do not touch the right half of the board during operation!
Since the voltage converter controller is inserted into its socket and the USB connection is plugged in, you take a full responsibility for possible electric shock and/or other injury.
Keep away from small children and pets!
To run the sensor you need:
- a box into which you put the sensor and the GM tube
- two of about 7-10 cm insulated wires with insulated alligator clips
- screwdriver
- USB cable A <-> B (like to the printer/scanner)
For your safety the sensor is supplied with the voltage converter taken out from its socket.
To run the sensor, you must unscrew the display and take it out. Under the display in a black sponge a controller of the voltage converter is placed. It should be put down in the socket on the right side in such a position, that a small dot (circular depression) located on the chassis of controller found on the right side, bottom (with the letters IC3). Then mount the display back.
Remove the black sponge from goldpin connector.
The next step is to connect the GM tube which is a part of our radiation detection. Two wires (preferably in different colors or with alligator clips in different colors to distinguish them) must be connected to the blue screw connector marked CON3 (and the words of "GM-Tube"). The end of the tube marked '(+)' to be connected to the cable going to the ends also the marked '+', by analogy with the tip of the tube without any indication to the second cable.
Sensor should be placed in the current non-conductive, preferably a transparent box (so you can see the display) so that the GM tube does not touch the board, and the whole does not move freely inside the box.
Connect the USB cable and have in your mind about not touching the right side of the device!