K63-SI-29BGx2 HIRO+plus Geiger Counter 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 JohnGiametti (username: Brohogan) I have been building his DIY Geiger counters for over two years having built and soldaround 70 of them. All information for this kit is available at the developers website. As I have said before, this is more of akit for someone who knows a little bit about electronics but doesnt have the time or patience to build it, or would rathersomeone else do all the dirty work. Having been built by me, of course there will be some imperfections, although as mini-mal as possible. This particular one is a culmination of all of its predecessors. It is certainly one of my more advanced kitshaving more options then all accept the Cadillac, and I will do my best to explain how to use it. Once you have used it acouple times, it will be a piece of cake.

OPERATIONFour Triple Pole switches- ALL OFF IN CENTER POSITION.

SELECT POWER LIGHT ALARM SOUND NULLUP ALARM ON ON/ON ON/ON TONE TONE

CENTER SCALER OFF/PC OFF OFF OFF RESETDOWN CHARGE ON/OFF ON/OFF CLICK

A. SELECT switch does 2 things. When you first power on the unit, you will see first Atomic.Dave K63 HIRO+plus V10.1

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. But the default is now set to my name, Kit 62, and the sec-ond line is the Geiger Counter name, and the version of software that the AT328 chip is running V10.1.

The second window will show this:175 CPM=1 uSv/h Running at 5.24V

The first line refers to the conversion rate of CPM to uSv/hr for your SI-29BG tube (175) this can be changed in theprogram sketch, with Arduino. The second line refers to the current voltage that your system is running at. This is a 5 voltsystem. The 3000mAh 3.7v lipo battery is boosted to 5v with a pololu booster. Everytime you start up your GC (geigercounter) it will show you this so you will always know your current voltage.

The third window will show something like this:Alarm Set ?Now at 200 CPM

At this point, you can hit the Select button to incrementally change the Alarm threshold number. Once you stop hittingthe button and wait, it will be set to the current number shown on the screen and will stay there until you change it eitheragain restarting and waiting for this part. You can also chose from units of measurement such as CPM or uSv/h for the Alarm.B. POWER switch controls the power and charging of the unit. Up turns on the unit, Middle turns if off, and Down is forwhen you charge the unit. When the unit is charging, the RED LED on the lower left side will remain constant RED whilecharging, and when charging is complete, it will turn off. If you wish to power the unit with the USB in, and bypass the bat-teries for extended periods. Switch this power button to the middle position, and flip up the switch next to the USB port.This will allow you to power the unit with the USB power and bypass the battery for long periods I suggest using this powersource. But you might just find that using the internal battery is enough. C. LIGHT switch controls the Event LED (BLUE) and the LCD Backlight. Up turns on both, Middle turns both off, andDown turns the LED on, and the Backlight off. D. ALARM switch controls the Alarm LED and Piezo. Up for both on, Middle for both off, and Down for LED only on. Thismakes for a silent visual alarm.E. SOUND switch controls the Event speaker. Up for tone mode, Middle for mute, and Down for Standard Click Mode.More on Tone Mode later. F. NULL This button is used when running the sound in Tone mode. Its basically like a distance sensitive mode where thecloser you get to the radiation source, the higher the pitch of the beep will be. Then once you are at a chosen distance,then you can push this button to reset the distance back to zero, and it will then restart a its lowest tone and as it getscloser, again it will raise in pitch.

LEDSAt startup, you will hear the beeping of the piezo as your 2 SI-29BG GM tubes picks up radiation events. There are threeLEDs below the LCD. The Left one is GREEN and is a system status light which comes on when starting up, and whensending data back and forth to your PC. Its basically a system OK light. If the green light ever freezes up, just restart theGC, and it will reset itself. The middle is BLUE which is for radiation events and coincides with the beeping piezo whichcan be muted with the mute switch. The Right one is RED for the Alarm which will only light up when a set alarm thresholdis reached.

OTHER SWITCHES, BUTTONS, PORTS, DIALSNEW- Added 1 new switch to the right side of the unit next to the USB port. LEAVE THIS OFF WHEN NOT USINGUSB power to run the unit and this MUST be off in order to charge the battery. Flip this up to turn it on. Downwhen not powering the unit with the USB.

A. Starting on the left side top of the GC is the LCD contrast dial. As the LCD is used, it might get to a point for you toreadjust the contrast for it. Not a big deal, while the backlight is on, gently take a small screwdriver and turn it to the left orright until it appears to have the best contrast.

B. Below the contrast pot on the same side is the output multi-port used for Geiger Bot (with the included G-Bot

cable), and for Geiger Graph and RAD OSX (with the optional USB/FTDI cable) Just plug in the Geiger Bot cable into thiswith the 3 conductor plug, and the 4 conductor into your iphone or ipad. Or plug the optional 3.5mm to USB cable into theport, and into a USB on your mac or PC, then follow instructions to run those programs. It also serves as an mono audiooutput for silent listening with headphones, or with the included 3 conductor to 3 conductor M-M audio cable, you can runsound based data logging software.

C. On the right side of the GC is the Mini USB FTDI output/input for programming in Arduino. This also is used tocharge the internal Lithium Ion battery (with the power switch in the bottom position.) Or it can be used to power the GCfor extended periods, however when you power it this way, I would advise to turn off the LCD backlight. But its ok to turn iton once in a while, but I wouldnt leave it on for extended periods.

DISPLAY BAR GRAPH: The display has a new bar graph style with placeholders and is much more responsive. It now updates 20 times per

second. The tone is also updated at this rate when used. Auto-precision - decimals are dropped from the displayed dose rate as it gets larger. Beginning with v10.1 the LOG PERIOD can now be set to intervals of less than 1 minute. Valid settings are OFF, 2s, 3s,

4s, 5s, 6s, 10s, 12s, 15s, 20s, 30s, and 1 minute intervals up to 720 minutes.

ABOUT DOSE UNITS:The menu allows you select the name of the dose unit that appears on the display. However, to be clear, there is no

built in conversion between them. Instead the CPM->[DOSE] RATIO is adjusted depending on the name of the DOSEUNIT selected. For example, 175.43 is the default set for the SBM-20 with uSv as the dose unit. Suppose you pick "mR"as the dose unit name, and want to measure in milirems. ("mR" more correctly abbreviates as milliroentgens but is used tosave display space.) The rem is defined as .01 seivert. Therefore, to use the same ratio that was designed for the tube,you would multiply that ratio by 10. You would enter a CPM->[DOSE] RATIO as 175.43 x 10 or 1754.3. Likewise if youwanted microrems ("uR") you would divide the ratio by 10 and enter 17.54.

If you do want to use roentgens (used in older instruments) this source states that they are .96 rem in soft tissue. Sothe CPM->[DOSE] RATIO for actual mR would be 175.43 x 10 x .96 or 1684.1. (for uR it would be 16.84)

PLEASE REFER TO THE DIY GEIGER COUNTER DEVELOPERS WEBSITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:http://www.sites.google.com/site/diygeigercounter/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 GeigerSketch folder to the same folder as your Arduino program is and remember where that is as that will be where you go tosave your sketch everytime you make a change to it. There will also be a Library folder that will also need to be in thesame 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: Brohogan Software system version 10.11. Open Arduino2. 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 countervoltage 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

GEIGER BOT SUGGESTED SETTINGS: (You may have to play with it to get it just right) GO TO: https://sites.google.com/site/geigerbot/

OTHER SOFTWARE LINKS:http://www.blackcatsystems.com/GM/download.htmlhttp://www.imagesco.com/geiger/geiger-graph.html

GEIGER GRAPH FOR PC NETWORKS: (cost is around $60. Use the OPTIONAL FTDI 3.5mm to USB cable) This is a PC only software.

Select options Select Geiger Counter Select LND712 CS137 Adjust Conversion factor to your tube:

123 for LND712175 for SBM-20

360 for LND7317Select I/O Settings

Auto Adjust OFF(you may need to play

with this setting) RMS Window 1

Delay Window 30Volume Thresh 20000

Ultrafast Rates ON

HARDWARE1. DIY Geiger counter kit V5.1 by Brohogan, Running operating system 10.12. (2) SBM-20 Geiger Muller Tubes3. Power System by Seeeduino, Sparkfun and Pololu (please charge the unit until the RED light goes out)

A. You can power the Geiger in a couple different ways 1. With internal Lipo battery (Power switch in UP position)2. With PWR switch OFF (middle), USB cable plugged into USB port on RIGHT side of geiger, USB PWR switch on right

side of unit switched UP, then plug USB cable into:a. Computer or laptop USBb. Wall charger block (included)c. Standard 5v USB Cigarette adapter d. To power and operate the unit this way for long periods, TURN OFF BACKLIGHT

POWER and OTHER SYSTEM ITEMS: This system is capable of producing 900+ volts, so be careful or you may getzapped when handling the system while it is powered on.

A. Seeeduino Lithium Ion battery - 3.7v 3000mAh http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/lithium-ion-polymer-battery-pack-3a-p-588.html?cPath=178_183 Full recharge in 3 hours, provides approximately 40 hour constant use of geiger counter with backlight off. Charge with PC/USB will take about 5 hours or more.

B. USB Lithium Polymer battery charger https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10401

C. Pololu 5V Step-Up/Step-Down Voltage Regulator S7V7F5 http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/2119

D. Sparkfun 5V FTDI Basic Breakout https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9716

ENCLOSUREDimensions: New Age Enclosure - S784114 - 7.8" x 4.1" x 1.4" (not including handle or feet)http://www.newageenclosures.com/files/784114_r5_2.pdf

REPAIRS:If the unit fails for some reason with six months from purchase, I will be more than happy to do any maintenance you need at no charge except shipping.

PACKAGE CONTENTS:In your package you will find: Geiger Counter, (3) Cables: Geiger bot 3 to 4 conductor, Audio 3 to 3 conductor, Mini USB to standard USB2 with wall charger. CDwith software and documents, Manual, RAD sticker, and extra faceplate labels. Rad samples upon request provided in micro lead pig.

SI-29BG unit is for use in the professional radiation meters. The SI-29BG is superior to well known SBM-20 radiation meter in many respects.Below are general specification of SI-29BG and SBM-20

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS SI-29BG SBM-20Operating Voltage 360 - 440V 350 - 475VInitial Voltage 250 - 320V 260 - 320VRecommended Operating Voltage 400V 400VPlateau Length 100V 100VPlateau Slope 0.125% / 1V %/100V 10Inherent counter background 0.5 Pulse/s 1.0 Pulse/s (2 times better)Working range 0.004 - 40 uR/s 0.004 - 40 uR/sCobalt-60 Pulse Gamma Sensitivity 48 pulse/uR 78 Pulses/mkR (1.6 times better)Dead time (U=400V, micro sec)) 95mks 190mks (2 times better)Detected Gamma radiation energy 0.054-1.25 MeVWorking Temperature Range -60 +70 -60 +70 Length 55mm 108mmDiameter 11mm 11mm

SI-29BGHARD BETA and GAMMA GM DETECTORSpecifications

SI-29BGx2

atomic.daveRADIATION DETECTOR

HIRO+plus

BE

TA

s GA

MMA s ULTRA

SEN

SIT

IVE

POWERON/PCOFF

CHARGE

SELECTALARMSCALER

LIGHTON/ONOFF

ON/OFF

SOUNDTONEOFFCLICK

NULLTONERESET

ALARMON/ONOFF

ON/OFF

89

7

6

4

3

2

5

+

+

14

17

18

19

16

15

12

5V B

oost

IN

LIPO

Chr

g 5V

Out

OPE

N

BRD

FTD

I 5V

FTD

I 5V

LIPO

Chr

g U

SB P

OS

2 4 6

12

34

56

12

34

56

LCD

Jum

p R

LCD

Jum

p L

OPE

N

Blue

LED

PO

S

LED

BR

D P

OS

Blue

LED

PO

S

12

34

56

Boar

d Pi

n 12

Piez

o Ju

mp

A

Piez

o Ju

mp

B

OPE

N

OPE

N

OPE

N

12

34

56

Alar

m P

iezo

PO

S

BRD

Pin

15

OPE

N

Red

LED

PO

S

BRD

Pin

15

Red

LED

PO

S

12

34

56

1 3 5

POWER

PWR

/CH

GO

N/P

C

OFF

CH

ARG

E

BLIGH

TLE

D/B

KLT

ON

/ON

OFF

ON

/OFFC

ALAR

MLE

D/S

ND

ON

/ON

OFF

ON

/OFFD

SOUN

DSP

EAKE

RTO

NE

OFF

CL

ICKE

+_

EVEN

TLE

DA

LARM LE

D

STAT

US

LED

In

A

LR

B

Out

2 4 6

2 4 6

1 3 5

1 3 5

NULL

SELECT

AL

ARM

Thre

shol

dTi

mer

TO

NE

Res

et

AF

12

12

10

11

5V U

p/D

own

BOO

ST

LIPO

CHAR

GER

ALA

RMPIEZO

FTDI

LIPO

+_

LCD

Dio

deVo

ltage

Lim

iter

Band

to le

ft

1K O

HM

RESI

STO

R

56K

OH

MRE

SIST

OR

3.5m

mSo

cket

USB

Pow

er

ON

OFF

MU

LTI-S

OFT

WA

REO

UTP

UT

PORT

.1 u

F Ca

p

.1 u

F Ca

p

270

OH

MRE

SIST

OR

680

OH

MRE

SIST

OR

300

OH

MRE

SIST

OR

13

HIR

O+p

lus

POWER

ON/PC

OFF

CHAR

GE

SELECT

ALAR

MSCALER

LIGH

TON

/ON

OFF

ON/OFF

SOUN

DTONE

OFF

CLICK

NULL

TONE

RESET

ALAR

MON

/ON

OFF

ON/OFF

FTD

I 5V

BRD

FTD

I 5V

1 342

LIPO

Chr

g 5V

Out

5V B

oost

IN

1 342

LED

BR

D P

OS

Blue

LED

PO

S

LCD

Jum

p L

LCD

Jum

p R

BRD

Pin

15

Red

LED

PO

S

1 342

5

S

BRD

Pin

15

Alar

m P

iezo

PO

S

1 342

OPE

N

OPE

N

Jum

Pi

ezo

Boar

d Pi

n

mp

A

n

12

LIPO

Chr

g U

SB P

OS

CO

O

PPA imerT

Thre

shol

dAL

ARM

SELECT 2

1

56

OPE

N

21CH

ARG

EO

FF

ON

/PC

PW

R/C

HG

POWERB

LEVE

NE

2

56

Blue

LED

PO

S

ON

/OFF

OFF

ON

/ON

TLE

D/B

KLLT

LIGH

TC

EDNT

1O

RRE

SIST

270

OH

M

OPE

NR

ed L

ED P

OS

LED

ARM

AL

OR

RESI

ST30

0 O

HM

56

SO

PEN

ON

/OFF

OFF

ON

/ON

LED

/SN

D

ALAR

MD

+2

1ALA

RM

56

OPE

NPi

ezo

Jum

1CLIC

KO

FF

TON

ESP

EAKE

R

SOUN

DE 2

m

p B

F ResetTONENULL 2

1

65

43

64

53

Band

to le

ftol

tage

Lim

iter

VLC

D D

iode

_

64

53O

PIEZ

ALA

RM

53

64

SELECT

plus

POWER

LIGH

TSO

UND

ALAR

M

HIR

+

NULL

CHAR

GER

CHA

LIPO

LIP

LIPO

FTDI

O

ON

USB

OU

T

MU

LLT

etoc

kS3.

5mm

RESI

S56

K O

OR

RESI

ST1K

OH

M.1

uF

TPU

T PO

RTARE

WWA

TI-S

OFT

OR

ST OH

Map

.1 u

F C

ap

F C

O

OFF

rew

PoUSB

utO

In

BOO

STw

n5V

Up/

Do

LED

TUS

AATSTT

A

+

A13

10

_ +

LED

RESI

680

OR

ST OH

M

+