Mindboards

Go to the downloads page to get the block. The DI temp sensors are also just thermistors (like the RCX temp sensors), so they are read using the NXT ADC, not I2C.

That means that you could even read them with a touch sensor block (using the RAW wire of the block). However, if you read it using RAW values, you will have to use some math to calculate the temperature in a desirable unit.

I don't think the block for the Dexter Industries dTemp could be made any simpler than it is. All it does is read the temperature This is what the block looks like:


C = Celcius
F = Fahrenheit
K = Kelvin
R = Raw
not sure why the last thingy is there but it doesn't matter. As you can see, it'd be pretty easy to use

Just make sure you download the right one for your version of NXT-G. If you have NXT-G 1.0, you need to download this one: [LINK] and if you have NXT-G 2.0, you need to download this one: [LINK].

- Xander

tomaldis wrote:my girlfriend wants me to build her a coffee-making robot

You should check out the 'RoButler' - one of the Black NXT projects, created by Mike Brandl. It can be built with a single NXT 1.0 set and the program is written in NXT-G. For your convenience, I have attatched the PDF building instructions and the NXT-G program.

Attachment:
RoButler.zip

mightor wrote: not sure why the last thingy is there but it doesn't matter. As you can see, it'd be pretty easy to use

I think it's the "raw" value -- straight form the ADC
Tell me if I'm wrong.

I'll find out for you and get back later

- Xander

Hey Folks,
Yes, the last output on the block, the "1010101" is raw, A/D output. The sensor is an analog sensor that's read by the NXT's A/D converter.
C- Celsius
F - Faren.
K - Kelvin
R - Rankine (kind of a joke, no one really uses it but we were feeling pretty thorough when we wrote the block)
1010 - Raw output number of 0 - 1023

Best,

John

Haha, kudos to Mike Brandl on the RoButler - thanks for going to the trouble of bringing it to my attention, StudBrickMaster.

The design confirms something I've been thinking about the last day or so - that I don't need a temperature sensor at all. Instead, I can get the robot to flip the kettle switch, then wait for five minutes, until the water is boiled, rather than sensing for a temperature to determine when the water is ready to use.

Which is a shame, since I managed to find a copy of the Lego education software this morning while walking to work. Yep. It fell right out of the sky and landed at my feet.

This has brought up some interesting thoughts though on what the most unusual sensors that you can get working with the Mindstorms kit might be. I've seen the solar panels on the Lego website - that's pretty good (even better if I lived in a sunny country - it would save a fortune on batteries!). What else is available, if you know the right places to look? A toxicity sensor, perhaps? That, combined with the solar panels, and you've got an eco-warrior robot!

tomaldis wrote:...What else is available, if you know the right places to look?...

Just about anything you could want has been made. As far as what's available to buy, still a ton of devices.

HiTechnic has almost everything certified by Lego, so it is in nice housings (with a bigger price tag).
Mindsensors has a lot of good sensors and interfaces, and has been around since the days of the RCX.
Dexter Industries seems to be fairly new. They have some really geeky things.
Techno-Stuff has been around since the RCX days as well, but have never really fully converted to NXT.

There are several other companies (or individuals) that sell custom stuff, but the first three I listed are the main ones.

tomaldis wrote: A toxicity sensor, perhaps? !

Try the Vernier sensor adapter They sell a lot of things like that!

Thanks to all for the help, advice and assistance on this temp. sensor issue.

Some of the Vernier sensors look especially interesting!

Until next time...