Close
0%
0%

Pocket Geiger Detector

A simple, compact geiger detector with rechargeable lithium battery

adam-oakleyAdam Oakley
Following
Liked Like project

Just one more thing

To make the experience fit your profile, pick a username and tell us what interests you.

Pick an awesome username
hackaday.io/
Your profile's URL: hackaday.io/username. Max 25 alphanumeric characters.
Pick a few interests
Projects that share your interests
People that share your interests

We found and based on your interests.

Choose more interests.

OK, I'm done! Skip
Similar projects worth following
558 views
3 comments
7 followers
View Gallery
When I discovered that decent geiger tubes could be purchased on ebay for only $20 CAD, I knew I had to make a geiger detector. I researched some high-voltage power supply designs and built my own regulated supply. I experimented with a few different configurations to find the solution that consumed the least amount of power.

In the end I settled on a design that is mostly made with inexpensive, common parts. The current consumption is 29mA at 4.2V, approximately 130mW. This is very reasonable and allows the 18650 lithium battery to power the device for a few days.

The operation of the device is very basic. Each event detected by the geiger tube is indicated by a click of a speaker and a flash of an LED.

Enjoy this project?

Share

Discussions

Tony wrote 05/27/2019 at 17:13 • point

do you have a list of components?

  Are you sure? yes | no

logan1691987 wrote 12/06/2016 at 09:03 • point

Hello Adam, 

Could you detect radon with your device?

  Are you sure? yes | no

Adam Oakley wrote 01/04/2017 at 21:10 • point

Sorry for the late reply - I never got a notification about your message.

I don't think this device could be used to detect radon for a couple reasons. The geiger tube I used (STS-5) is mostly sensitive to high energy gamma and beta radiation, not alpha radiation which is what radon produces. Alpha radiation is also unable to penetrate the metal casing of my device. 

Another issue with the sensitivity of the geiger tube I use is that the count rate from background radiation is about 20 counts per minute. If you were to put the device in a higher radiation field giving 30 counts per minute, it would be hard to notice the difference just by ear. This device is better for directly measuring stronger radiation sources. 

Of course, this circuit could be used with a superior geiger tube in which case you could measure weaker fields more accurately. 

  Are you sure? yes | no

Similar Projects

The Station Edition series is a compact Lora device with 3W high power PA.
Project Owner Contributor

Meshtastic Mesh Device Station Edition G1

neil-haoNeil Hao

A product that should never have existed. But it's kinda cool. What to do with its guts?!?
Project Owner Contributor

The ChugPlug!

dan-julioDan Julio

Solar Power to low consumption devices
Project Owner Contributor

Solar UPS Power Supply

gabor-futoGabor Futo

What if you could charge your power bank by just putting standard AA batteries in it?
Project Owner Contributor

AA Powerbank

bigbatbigbat

Does this project spark your interest?

Become a member to follow this project and never miss any updates

Going up?

About Us Contact Hackaday.io Give Feedback Terms of Use Privacy Policy Hackaday API

© 2024 Hackaday

Yes, delete it Cancel

Report project as inappropriate

You are about to report the project "Pocket Geiger Detector", please tell us the reason.

Send message

Your application has been submitted.

Remove Member

Are you sure you want to remove yourself as a member for this project?

Project owner will be notified upon removal.