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3.1.8 Overheat Monitor(MCP3008)

Note

_images/mcp3008_and_adc0834.jpg

Depending on your kit version, please identify whether you have ADC0834 or MCP3008 and proceed with the matching section.

Introduction

You may want to make an overheat monitoring device that applies to various situations, ex., in the factory, if we want to have an alarm and the timely automatic turning off of the machine when there is a circuit overheating. In this project, we will use thermistor, joystick, buzzer, LED and LCD to make an smart temperature monitoring device whose threshold is adjustable.

Required Components

In this project, we need the following components.

_images/list2_Overheat_Monitor.png

Schematic Diagram

T-Board Name

physical

wiringPi

BCM

SPICE0

Pin 24

10

8

SPIMOSI

Pin 19

12

10

SPIMISO

Pin 21

13

9

SPISCLK

Pin 23

14

11

GPIO22

Pin15

3

22

GPIO23

Pin16

4

23

GPIO24

Pin18

5

24

SDA1

Pin 3

SCL1

Pin 5

_images/Schematic_three_one8.png

Experimental Procedures

Step 1: Build the circuit.

_images/july24_3.1.8_overheat_monitor_mcp3008.png

For C Language Users

Step 2: Go to the folder of the code.

cd ~/davinci-kit-for-raspberry-pi/c/3.1.8-2/

Step 3: Compile the code.

gcc 3.1.8_OverheatMonitor.c -lm -lwiringPi

Step 4: Run the executable file.

sudo ./a.out

As the code runs, the current temperature and the high-temperature threshold 40 are displayed on I2C LCD1602. If the current temperature is larger than the threshold, the buzzer and LED are started to alarm you.

Joystick here is for your pressing to adjust the high-temperature threshold. Toggling the Joystick in the direction of X-axis and Y-axis can adjust (turn up or down) the current high-temperature threshold. Press the Joystick once again to reset the threshold to initial value.

Note

  • If there is an error prompt wiringPi.h: No such file or directory, please refer to Install and Check the WiringPi.

  • If you get Unable to open I2C device: No such file or directory error, you need to refer to I²C Configuration to enable I2C and check if the wiring is correct.

  • If the code and wiring are fine, but the LCD still does not display content, you can turn the potentiometer on the back to increase the contrast.

Code

#include <wiringPi.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <wiringPiI2C.h>
#include <wiringPiSPI.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <math.h>

typedef unsigned char uchar;
typedef unsigned int  uint;

#define Joy_BtnPin 3      // GPIO22 -> WiringPi 3
#define buzzPin    4      // GPIO23 -> WiringPi 4
#define LedPin     5      // GPIO24 -> WiringPi 5
#define SPI_CHANNEL 0
#define SPI_SPEED   1000000

int LCDAddr    = 0x27;
int BLEN       = 1;
int fd;
int upperTem   = 40;

// Global variable to store the last joystick change
int lastJoystickChange = 0;

int read_ADC(int channel) {
    if (channel < 0 || channel > 7) return -1;
    unsigned char buffer[3];
    buffer[0] = 1;
    buffer[1] = (8 + channel) << 4;
    buffer[2] = 0;
    wiringPiSPIDataRW(SPI_CHANNEL, buffer, 3);
    return ((buffer[1] & 0x03) << 8) | buffer[2];
}

void write_word(int data){
    int temp = data;
    if (BLEN)      temp |= 0x08;
    else           temp &= 0xF7;
    wiringPiI2CWrite(fd, temp);
}

void send_command(int comm){
    int buf = comm & 0xF0;
    buf |= 0x04; write_word(buf); delay(2); buf &= 0xFB; write_word(buf);
    buf = (comm & 0x0F) << 4;
    buf |= 0x04; write_word(buf); delay(2); buf &= 0xFB; write_word(buf);
}

void send_data(int data){
    int buf = data & 0xF0;
    buf |= 0x05; write_word(buf); delay(2); buf &= 0xFB; write_word(buf);
    buf = (data & 0x0F) << 4;
    buf |= 0x05; write_word(buf); delay(2); buf &= 0xFB; write_word(buf);
}

void lcd_init(){
    send_command(0x33); delay(5);
    send_command(0x32); delay(5);
    send_command(0x28); delay(5);
    send_command(0x0C); delay(5);
    send_command(0x01); wiringPiI2CWrite(fd, 0x08);
}

void lcd_clear(){
    send_command(0x01);
}

void write_lcd(int x, int y, const char data[]){
    int addr = 0x80 + 0x40 * y + x;
    send_command(addr);
    for (int i = 0; i < (int)strlen(data); i++)
        send_data(data[i]);
}

int get_joystick_value(){
    int x = read_ADC(1);
    int y = read_ADC(2);

    // Dead-band filtering to reduce small fluctuations
    if (x > 900)      return  1;   //    else if (x < 100) return -1;   //     else if (y > 900) return -10;  //     else if (y < 100) return  10;  //    else              return   0;
}

void upper_tem_setting(){
    write_lcd(0,0, "Upper Adjust:");

    int change = get_joystick_value();

    // Only respond to actual direction change
    if (change != 0 && change != lastJoystickChange) {
        upperTem += change;
        lastJoystickChange = change;
    }
    else if (change == 0) {
        // Allow next change after returning to center
        lastJoystickChange = 0;
    }

    // Display current upperTem
    char str[6];
    snprintf(str, sizeof(str), "%d", upperTem);
    write_lcd(0,1, str);
    // Clear remaining LCD characters
    write_lcd(strlen(str),1, "            ");

    delay(100);
}

double temperature(){
    int raw = read_ADC(0);
    double Vr = 3.3 * ((double)raw / 1023.0);
    double Rt = 10000.0 * Vr / (3.3 - Vr);
    double tempK = 1.0 / ((log(Rt/10000.0)/3950.0) + 1.0/(273.15+25.0));
    return tempK - 273.15;
}

void monitoring_temp(){
    char str[6];
    double cel = temperature();
    snprintf(str, sizeof(str), "%.2f", cel);
    write_lcd(0,0, "Temp: ");
    write_lcd(6,0, str);

    snprintf(str, sizeof(str), "%d", upperTem);
    write_lcd(0,1, "Upper: ");
    write_lcd(7,1, str);
    delay(100);

    if (cel >= upperTem) {
        digitalWrite(buzzPin, HIGH);
        digitalWrite(LedPin,  HIGH);
    } else {
        digitalWrite(buzzPin, LOW);
        digitalWrite(LedPin,  LOW);
    }
}

void setup_all(){
    fd = wiringPiI2CSetup(LCDAddr);
    lcd_init();
    if (wiringPiSetup() == -1 ||
        wiringPiSPISetup(SPI_CHANNEL, SPI_SPEED) == -1) {
        printf("Setup failed!\n");
        return;
    }
    pinMode(Joy_BtnPin, INPUT);
    pullUpDnControl(Joy_BtnPin, PUD_UP);
    pinMode(buzzPin, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(LedPin,  OUTPUT);
}

int main(void){
    setup_all();

    int lastBtnState = HIGH;
    int stage = 0;

    while (1) {
        int curBtn = digitalRead(Joy_BtnPin);
        // Switch mode when button changes from LOW to HIGH (button released)
        if (curBtn == HIGH && lastBtnState == LOW) {
            stage = (stage + 1) % 2;
            lastJoystickChange = 0;  // Clear debounce status
            delay(100);
            lcd_clear();
        }
        lastBtnState = curBtn;

        if (stage == 1)
            upper_tem_setting();
        else
            monitoring_temp();
    }

    return 0;
}

Code Explanation

int read_ADC(int channel) {
    if (channel < 0 || channel > 7) return -1;
    unsigned char buffer[3];
    buffer[0] = 1;
    buffer[1] = (8 + channel) << 4;
    buffer[2] = 0;
    wiringPiSPIDataRW(SPI_CHANNEL, buffer, 3);
    return ((buffer[1] & 0x03) << 8) | buffer[2];
}

Reads a 10-bit analog value from MCP3008 channel (CH0–CH7) using SPI and returns an integer from 0 to 1023.

int get_joystick_value() {
    int x = read_ADC(1);
    int y = read_ADC(2);

    if (x > 900)      return 1;   // Right
    else if (x < 100) return -1;  // Left
    else if (y > 900) return -10; // Up
    else if (y < 100) return 10;  // Down
    else              return 0;
}

Reads joystick X and Y analog values from CH1 and CH2. Returns an integer indicating movement direction based on thresholds.

void upper_tem_setting() {
    write_lcd(0,0, "Upper Adjust:");

    int change = get_joystick_value();

    if (change != 0 && change != lastJoystickChange) {
        upperTem += change;
        lastJoystickChange = change;
    }
    else if (change == 0) {
        lastJoystickChange = 0;
    }

    char str[6];
    snprintf(str, sizeof(str), "%d", upperTem);
    write_lcd(0,1, str);
    write_lcd(strlen(str),1, "            ");

    delay(100);
}

Allows user to adjust the upper temperature threshold using the joystick. Prevents repeated changes if direction is held.

double temperature() {
    int raw = read_ADC(0);
    double Vr = 3.3 * ((double)raw / 1023.0);
    double Rt = 10000.0 * Vr / (3.3 - Vr);
    double tempK = 1.0 / ((log(Rt/10000.0)/3950.0) + 1.0/(273.15+25.0));
    return tempK - 273.15;
}

Reads analog value from CH0 connected to the thermistor. Uses the Steinhart–Hart equation to calculate Celsius temperature.

void monitoring_temp() {
    char str[6];
    double cel = temperature();
    snprintf(str, sizeof(str), "%.2f", cel);
    write_lcd(0,0, "Temp: ");
    write_lcd(6,0, str);

    snprintf(str, sizeof(str), "%d", upperTem);
    write_lcd(0,1, "Upper: ");
    write_lcd(7,1, str);
    delay(100);

    if (cel >= upperTem) {
        digitalWrite(buzzPin, HIGH);
        digitalWrite(LedPin,  HIGH);
    } else {
        digitalWrite(buzzPin, LOW);
        digitalWrite(LedPin,  LOW);
    }
}

Continuously reads the current temperature and displays it along with the threshold. If the temperature exceeds the threshold, the buzzer and LED are activated.

void setup_all() {
    fd = wiringPiI2CSetup(LCDAddr);
    lcd_init();
    if (wiringPiSetup() == -1 || wiringPiSPISetup(SPI_CHANNEL, SPI_SPEED) == -1) {
        printf("Setup failed!\n");
        return;
    }
    pinMode(Joy_BtnPin, INPUT);
    pullUpDnControl(Joy_BtnPin, PUD_UP);
    pinMode(buzzPin, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(LedPin,  OUTPUT);
}

Initializes LCD, SPI, GPIO pins for joystick button, buzzer, and LED. Also sets pull-up for the joystick button.

int main(void) {
    setup_all();

    int lastBtnState = HIGH;
    int stage = 0;

    while (1) {
        int curBtn = digitalRead(Joy_BtnPin);
        if (curBtn == HIGH && lastBtnState == LOW) {
            stage = (stage + 1) % 2;
            lastJoystickChange = 0;
            delay(100);
            lcd_clear();
        }
        lastBtnState = curBtn;

        if (stage == 1)
            upper_tem_setting();
        else
            monitoring_temp();
    }

    return 0;
}

Main loop switches between two modes:

  1. Temperature monitoring.

  2. Upper limit adjustment using the joystick.

The mode switches when the joystick button is released (rising edge trigger).

For Python Language Users

Step 2: Set up the SPI interface and install the spidev library (see SPI Configuration for detailed instructions). If you have already completed these steps, you can skip this.

Step 3: Go to the folder of the code.

cd ~/davinci-kit-for-raspberry-pi/python

Step 4: Run the executable file.

sudo python3 3.1.8-2_OverheatMonitor.py

As the code runs, the current temperature and the high-temperature threshold 40 are displayed on I2C LCD1602. If the current temperature is larger than the threshold, the buzzer and LED are started to alarm you.

Joystick here is for your pressing to adjust the high-temperature threshold. Toggling the Joystick in the direction of X-axis and Y-axis can adjust (turn up or down) the current high-temperature threshold. Press the Joystick once again to reset the threshold to initial value.

Note

  • If you get the error FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/dev/i2c-1', you need to refer to I²C Configuration to enable the I2C.

  • If you get ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'smbus2' error, please run sudo apt install python3-smbus2.

  • If the error OSError: [Errno 121] Remote I/O error appears, it means the module is miswired or the module is broken.

  • If the code and wiring are fine, but the LCD still does not display content, you can turn the potentiometer on the back to increase the contrast.

Warning

If there is an error prompt RuntimeError: Cannot determine SOC peripheral base address, please refer to If gpiozero doesn’t work.

Code

Note

You can Modify/Reset/Copy/Run/Stop the code below. But before that, you need to go to source code path like davinci-kit-for-raspberry-pi/python. After modifying the code, you can run it directly to see the effect.

#!/usr/bin/env python3

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import spidev
import time
import math
import LCD1602

# GPIO pin definitions
JOY_BTN_PIN = 22  # Button pin
BUZZER_PIN = 23   # Buzzer pin
LED_PIN = 24      # LED pin

# Initialize GPIO
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)
GPIO.setup(JOY_BTN_PIN, GPIO.IN, pull_up_down=GPIO.PUD_UP)
GPIO.setup(BUZZER_PIN, GPIO.OUT)
GPIO.setup(LED_PIN, GPIO.OUT)

# Set initial upper temperature threshold
upperTem = 40

# Initialize SPI for MCP3008
spi = spidev.SpiDev()
spi.open(0, 0)
spi.max_speed_hz = 1000000  # 1 MHz

# Initialize LCD1602
LCD1602.init(0x27, 1)

def read_adc(channel):
    """
    Read analog value from MCP3008 (0–7)
    """
    if channel < 0 or channel > 7:
        return -1
    adc = spi.xfer2([1, (8 + channel) << 4, 0])
    value = ((adc[1] & 0x03) << 8) | adc[2]
    return value

def get_joystick_value():
    """
    Reads the joystick values and returns a change value based on the joystick's position.
    """
    x_val = read_adc(1)
    y_val = read_adc(2)
    if x_val > 800:
        return 1
    elif x_val < 200:
        return -1
    elif y_val > 800:
        return -10
    elif y_val < 200:
        return 10
    else:
        return 0

def upper_tem_setting():
    """
    Adjusts and displays the upper temperature threshold on the LCD.
    """
    global upperTem
    LCD1602.write(0, 0, 'Upper Adjust: ')
    change = int(get_joystick_value())
    upperTem += change
    strUpperTem = str(upperTem)
    LCD1602.write(0, 1, strUpperTem)
    LCD1602.write(len(strUpperTem), 1, '              ')
    time.sleep(0.1)

def temperature():
    """
    Reads the current temperature from the sensor and returns it in Celsius.
    """
    analogVal = read_adc(0)
    Vr = 3.3 * analogVal / 1023.0
    if Vr == 0:
        return 0
    Rt = 10000.0 * (3.3 - Vr) / Vr
    tempK = 1.0 / (((math.log(Rt / 10000.0)) / 3950.0) + (1.0 / (273.15 + 25.0)))
    Cel = tempK - 273.15
    return round(Cel, 2)

def monitoring_temp():
    """
    Monitors and displays the current temperature and upper temperature threshold.
    Activates buzzer and LED if the temperature exceeds the upper limit.
    """
    global upperTem
    Cel = temperature()
    LCD1602.write(0, 0, 'Temp: ')
    LCD1602.write(0, 1, 'Upper: ')
    LCD1602.write(6, 0, str(Cel))
    LCD1602.write(7, 1, str(upperTem))
    time.sleep(0.1)
    if Cel >= upperTem:
        GPIO.output(BUZZER_PIN, GPIO.HIGH)
        GPIO.output(LED_PIN, GPIO.HIGH)
    else:
        GPIO.output(BUZZER_PIN, GPIO.LOW)
        GPIO.output(LED_PIN, GPIO.LOW)

# Main loop
try:
    lastState = GPIO.input(JOY_BTN_PIN)
    stage = 0
    while True:
        currentState = GPIO.input(JOY_BTN_PIN)
        if currentState == GPIO.HIGH and lastState == GPIO.LOW:
            stage = (stage + 1) % 2
            time.sleep(0.1)
            LCD1602.clear()
        lastState = currentState

        if stage == 1:
            upper_tem_setting()
        else:
            monitoring_temp()

except KeyboardInterrupt:
    pass

finally:
    LCD1602.clear()
    GPIO.cleanup()
    spi.close()

Code Explanation

  1. Import Libraries

    This section loads the required libraries for GPIO, SPI, LCD display, time delays, and math operations.

    #!/usr/bin/env python3
    import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
    import spidev
    import time
    import math
    import LCD1602
    
  2. GPIO and Device Setup

    Define GPIO pin numbers for the joystick button, buzzer, and LED, and configure GPIO modes.

    JOY_BTN_PIN = 22  # Button pin
    BUZZER_PIN = 23   # Buzzer pin
    LED_PIN = 24      # LED pin
    
    GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)
    GPIO.setup(JOY_BTN_PIN, GPIO.IN, pull_up_down=GPIO.PUD_UP)
    GPIO.setup(BUZZER_PIN, GPIO.OUT)
    GPIO.setup(LED_PIN, GPIO.OUT)
    
  3. SPI and LCD Initialization

    Start the SPI interface for MCP3008 and initialize the LCD1602 screen with I2C address 0x27.

    upperTem = 40
    spi = spidev.SpiDev()
    spi.open(0, 0)
    spi.max_speed_hz = 1000000
    
    LCD1602.init(0x27, 1)
    
  4. Read ADC Value

    Reads analog data from MCP3008 ADC via SPI. Channel should be in range 0–7.

    def read_adc(channel):
        if channel < 0 or channel > 7:
            return -1
        adc = spi.xfer2([1, (8 + channel) << 4, 0])
        value = ((adc[1] & 0x03) << 8) | adc[2]
        return value
    
  5. Joystick Movement Detection

    Checks X/Y axis values from the joystick and returns how much to change the threshold.

    def get_joystick_value():
        x_val = read_adc(1)
        y_val = read_adc(2)
        if x_val > 800:
            return 1
        elif x_val < 200:
            return -1
        elif y_val > 800:
            return -10
        elif y_val < 200:
            return 10
        else:
            return 0
    
  6. Adjust Upper Temperature Threshold

    Displays “Upper Adjust” on the LCD and adjusts the threshold using joystick input.

    def upper_tem_setting():
        global upperTem
        LCD1602.write(0, 0, 'Upper Adjust: ')
        change = int(get_joystick_value())
        upperTem += change
        strUpperTem = str(upperTem)
        LCD1602.write(0, 1, strUpperTem)
        LCD1602.write(len(strUpperTem), 1, '              ')
        time.sleep(0.1)
    
  7. Temperature Calculation

    Converts analog sensor reading to voltage, resistance, and finally temperature (Celsius) using Steinhart–Hart approximation.

    def temperature():
        analogVal = read_adc(0)
        Vr = 3.3 * analogVal / 1023.0
        if Vr == 0:
            return 0
        Rt = 10000.0 * (3.3 - Vr) / Vr
        tempK = 1.0 / (((math.log(Rt / 10000.0)) / 3950.0) + (1.0 / (273.15 + 25.0)))
        Cel = tempK - 273.15
        return round(Cel, 2)
    
  8. Temperature Monitoring

    Continuously checks and displays temperature and upper limit. Turns on buzzer and LED if temperature exceeds the threshold.

    def monitoring_temp():
        global upperTem
        Cel = temperature()
        LCD1602.write(0, 0, 'Temp: ')
        LCD1602.write(0, 1, 'Upper: ')
        LCD1602.write(6, 0, str(Cel))
        LCD1602.write(7, 1, str(upperTem))
        time.sleep(0.1)
        if Cel >= upperTem:
            GPIO.output(BUZZER_PIN, GPIO.HIGH)
            GPIO.output(LED_PIN, GPIO.HIGH)
        else:
            GPIO.output(BUZZER_PIN, GPIO.LOW)
            GPIO.output(LED_PIN, GPIO.LOW)
    
  9. Main Program Logic

    Toggles between temperature monitoring and threshold setting modes when the joystick button is pressed.

    try:
        lastState = GPIO.input(JOY_BTN_PIN)
        stage = 0
        while True:
            currentState = GPIO.input(JOY_BTN_PIN)
            if currentState == GPIO.HIGH and lastState == GPIO.LOW:
                stage = (stage + 1) % 2
                time.sleep(0.1)
                LCD1602.clear()
            lastState = currentState
    
            if stage == 1:
                upper_tem_setting()
            else:
                monitoring_temp()
    
  10. Cleanup on Exit

    Ensures proper shutdown of GPIO and SPI resources when Ctrl+C is pressed.

    except KeyboardInterrupt:
        pass
    finally:
        LCD1602.clear()
        GPIO.cleanup()
        spi.close()