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Show HN: I wanted to measure CO2 in my office, so I build a C++ WebServer/App

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Re: Show HN: I wanted to measure CO2 in my office, so I build a C++ WebServer/App

#61
Shameless plug: I wanted to measure PM10 and PM2.5 pollution level in my neighbourhood, so I built the ESP8266-based sensor using instructions from Luftdaten [1] and since the original interface is pretty ugly, I created my own UI:

http://smog.rekawek.eu/ https://github.com/trekawek/air-quality-info

(I know, it's PHP, but can be hosted virtually anywhere!)

[1] https://luftdaten.info/feinstaubsensor-bauen/

Re: Show HN: I wanted to measure CO2 in my office, so I build a C++ WebServer/App

#62

I would have just had the CO2 level read via a $8 I2C device connected to an Esp8266/Esp32 running Arduino. I would post the result to a web service in this fashion from the Esp8266: https://techtutorialsx.com/2016/07/21/esp8266-post-requests/ Then just setup a nice Graphana+Prometheus as a service, graphana.com is nice and can expose a Prometheus end point over basic http auth - easy to post to. Then you can setup a…

Would you be able to share where you might get such a cheap CO2 sensor/the name of it? I've had trouble finding them for less than £60 in the UK and would like to set one up.

Adafruit sell a 1-60,000 ppm equivalent-CO2 sensor for £15. https://www.adafruit.com/product/3709

Re: Show HN: I wanted to measure CO2 in my office, so I build a C++ WebServer/App

#64
post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would you be able to share where you might get such a cheap CO2 sensor/the name of it? I've had trouble finding them for less than £60 in the UK and would like to set one up.

Adafruit sell a 1-60,000 ppm equivalent-CO2 sensor for £15. https://www.adafruit.com/product/3709

This doesn't measure CO2 levels. It measures volatile organic compounds and calculates the amount of CO2 that would cause the same greenhouse effect.

>The SGP30 does have built in calibration capabilities, note that eCO2 is calculated based on H2 concentration, it is not a 'true' CO2 sensor for laboratory use.

Re: Show HN: I wanted to measure CO2 in my office, so I build a C++ WebServer/App

#65
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Higher ppm decreases cognitive function even at pretty low levels, so being alerted to open your window might improve your work / study. There's at least this study: https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1510037 And this video has the quote "At 1000ppm there is a 15% decrease in cognitive function". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nh_vxpycEA

"At 1000ppm there is a 15% decrease in cognitive function" In a century or so we could be looking at similar CO2 levels in the atmosphere if we don’t significantly cut emissions. Will our decencents be made stupider by higher CO2 levels? Or will they be able to adapt?

My wife is a respiratory therapist. When asked, she said higher-than-average CO2 is seen in COPD patients, and is compensated through an increase in metabolic bicarbonate production, countering the acidic properties of CO2. We are still entering unknown territories with such large populations getting exposed to higher CO2 levels, but she thinks we'll be fine.

Re: Show HN: I wanted to measure CO2 in my office, so I build a C++ WebServer/App

#66
post #4

Unrelated to the project, but your CO2 levels are far to high. The maximum should be around 600ppm.

Yes, I agree. I've already ordered a bunch of plants :) Sadly my building is quite old and ventilation is poor.

In most places ventilation standards are set by building code. Point this out to your landlord, if they are not responsive notify the relevant local authority.

Re: Show HN: I wanted to measure CO2 in my office, so I build a C++ WebServer/App

#67
post #59

I would have just had the CO2 level read via a $8 I2C device connected to an Esp8266/Esp32 running Arduino. I would post the result to a web service in this fashion from the Esp8266: https://techtutorialsx.com/2016/07/21/esp8266-post-requests/ Then just setup a nice Graphana+Prometheus as a service, graphana.com is nice and can expose a Prometheus end point over basic http auth - easy to post to. Then you can setup a…

Slight aside, anyone know why all the supposedly iot-oriented small arduino devices are IPv4-only? Is everyone deploying them in some kind of NATs + port forwards / upnp system or tunneled overlay IPv4 network using external gateway devices?

Genuine question: are Arduino's really for IOT or for prototyping? Not an expert, just read a lot about startups starting with a RaspPI or Arduino prototype for the Kickstarter or something and then getting "real" dedicated hardware for production.

Re: Show HN: I wanted to measure CO2 in my office, so I build a C++ WebServer/App

#68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Its not that I'm afraid to die here :) Its more about improving the quality of the air. And the body is pretty bad at recognizing higher than norm CO2 level unless it gets to life threatening levels. ( https://youtu.be/1Nh_vxpycEA?t=45 )

On top of everything else, try putting a plant in your room too. Works wonders for air quality and is fun to take care of.

How much CO2 does a plant really turn into O2? I can't imagine that a few plants make much of a difference, or do they?

Re: Show HN: I wanted to measure CO2 in my office, so I build a C++ WebServer/App

#69
post #8

Installed a CO2 monitor in my home two days ago. Already changed my life. It warns me when I need additional ventilation and even beeps if CO2 levels raise too high. It sounds silly but it's scary how quickly levels rise when the windows are closed.

Which monitor did you install?

Re: Show HN: I wanted to measure CO2 in my office, so I build a C++ WebServer/App

#70
post #8

Installed a CO2 monitor in my home two days ago. Already changed my life. It warns me when I need additional ventilation and even beeps if CO2 levels raise too high. It sounds silly but it's scary how quickly levels rise when the windows are closed.

For those who are wondering about 'changed my life': Tom Scott uploaded a video about CO2 and its influences a few days ago. it's a good palce to start research: https://youtu.be/1Nh_vxpycEA

Also DHH presenting about this at Basecamp from a few months ago:

https://youtu.be/MRqh8oLY7Ik

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