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Oxygen Analyzer — Parallax Forums

Oxygen Analyzer

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2001-01-24 03:54 in General Discussion
Hey there everybody:

I am interested in building an online analyzer to continuously monitor the
amount of oxygen in an exhaust pipe. Therefore I am looking at high
temperatures and pressures would be near atmospheric. I have the power
source, ADC, and stamp. All I need now is a sensor that can be inserted into
the side of the pipe and I suspect that it would then have to traverse the
entire diameter through the center of the pipe.

Anybody know where I can get a cheap sensor that would put out either a
proportional voltage or current to the amount of oxygen? I know you can
monitor oxygen content with items such as magnetic fields and zirconium
crystals but these arrangements tend to be bulky, complex and pricey.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks and regards,

Gerry Shand
gwshand@c...
res@c...

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-01-23 19:27
    "Shand, Gerry W., Celanese/CA" wrote:

    > Hey there everybody:
    >
    > I am interested in building an online analyzer to continuously monitor the
    > amount of oxygen in an exhaust pipe. Therefore I am looking at high
    > temperatures and pressures would be near atmospheric. I have the power
    > source, ADC, and stamp. All I need now is a sensor that can be inserted into
    > the side of the pipe and I suspect that it would then have to traverse the
    > entire diameter through the center of the pipe.
    >
    > Anybody know where I can get a cheap sensor that would put out either a
    > proportional voltage or current to the amount of oxygen? I know you can
    > monitor oxygen content with items such as magnetic fields and zirconium
    > crystals but these arrangements tend to be bulky, complex and pricey.
    >
    > Any help would be appreciated.
    >
    > Thanks and regards,
    >
    > Gerry Shand
    > gwshand@c...
    > res@c...

    I did this for our race car. I used a 4 wire ( Dodge supplied ) o2 sensor. Weld
    a bung into the exhaust, hopefully within a foot or so to the port. The sensors
    must be above 300f to read correctly and although the 4 wire variety are self
    heating, mounted far down the pipe will yield readings that are not as accurate
    as could be. The sensors are set to output .5v at a 14.7:1 air/fuel ratio. Get
    away from the 14:7:1 ratio either way and the sensor will max out. It's range
    is from 0v ( leaner than 14.7:1 ) to 1.0v ( richer than 14.7:1 ) For
    performance engines, a reading of around .800 to .900 are usually the norm for
    NA engines.

    Hope this helps. If more info is needed, feel free to ask.

    Dale Harwood
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-01-23 21:07
    What's wrong with a standard automotive (Bosch) O2 sensor -- it does just
    that, but they have some interesting characteristics you need to be aware
    of.

    Rob Weinstock
    _________________________________________________________________
    Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-01-23 23:15
    Oxygen sensors are installed on every automobile made now. They all
    pretty much work the same. There's the solution. FWIW, this device is also
    available commercially from speed suppliers.

    Original Message
    From: Shand, Gerry W., Celanese/CA <gwshand@c...>
    To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
    Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2001 11:26 AM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Oxygen Analyzer


    > Hey there everybody:
    >
    > I am interested in building an online analyzer to continuously monitor the
    > amount of oxygen in an exhaust pipe. Therefore I am looking at high
    > temperatures and pressures would be near atmospheric. I have the power
    > source, ADC, and stamp. All I need now is a sensor that can be inserted
    into
    > the side of the pipe and I suspect that it would then have to traverse the
    > entire diameter through the center of the pipe.
    >
    > Anybody know where I can get a cheap sensor that would put out either a
    > proportional voltage or current to the amount of oxygen? I know you can
    > monitor oxygen content with items such as magnetic fields and zirconium
    > crystals but these arrangements tend to be bulky, complex and pricey.
    >
    > Any help would be appreciated.
    >
    > Thanks and regards,
    >
    > Gerry Shand
    > gwshand@c...
    > res@c...
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-01-24 00:43
    Everyone else is right, I believe almost any car with fuel injection already
    has one, and they are stardized, since the ECU's diagnostic systems are
    standardized too.

    Although, the stock oxygen sensors are not the most accurate sensors, since
    on most cars, they don't need to be. If you are putting a turbo in your
    engine, or something where precise air/fuel readings are needed, then I
    would suggest an aftermarket sensor. Off hand, I forget the name of the
    manufacturer. If you want to know though, just email me and I'll look it
    up.

    To test your design without taking our your oxygen sensor and toying with
    it, an auto parts store might have one, but the best bet would be your car
    dealer's parts department. They would have the specific one that fits your
    car.

    Ken

    Original Message
    From: "Shand, Gerry W., Celanese/CA" <gwshand@c...>
    To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
    Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2001 11:26 AM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Oxygen Analyzer


    > Hey there everybody:
    >
    > I am interested in building an online analyzer to continuously monitor the
    > amount of oxygen in an exhaust pipe. Therefore I am looking at high
    > temperatures and pressures would be near atmospheric. I have the power
    > source, ADC, and stamp. All I need now is a sensor that can be inserted
    into
    > the side of the pipe and I suspect that it would then have to traverse the
    > entire diameter through the center of the pipe.
    >
    > Anybody know where I can get a cheap sensor that would put out either a
    > proportional voltage or current to the amount of oxygen? I know you can
    > monitor oxygen content with items such as magnetic fields and zirconium
    > crystals but these arrangements tend to be bulky, complex and pricey.
    >
    > Any help would be appreciated.
    >
    > Thanks and regards,
    >
    > Gerry Shand
    > gwshand@c...
    > res@c...
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-01-24 03:54
    Hi Gerry,

    Per automotive O2 sensors - The garden variety sensor is
    a very high-Z bang-bang device which tells you which side
    of stoichiometric you are on, rich or lean.
    So-called wide-range sensors found on late model Hondas
    supposedly have a range of 11:1 to 20:1, at the expense
    of a somewhat complex interface. This stuff was pricey
    last time I looked, but that was a while ago.
    Bob Blick has an O2 sensor page on his site, somewhere.

    regards, Jack

    Shand, Gerry W., Celanese/CA wrote:
    >
    > Hey there everybody:
    >
    > I am interested in building an online analyzer to continuously monitor the
    > amount of oxygen in an exhaust pipe. Therefore I am looking at high
    > temperatures and pressures would be near atmospheric. I have the power
    > source, ADC, and stamp. All I need now is a sensor that can be inserted into
    > the side of the pipe and I suspect that it would then have to traverse the
    > entire diameter through the center of the pipe.
    >
    > Anybody know where I can get a cheap sensor that would put out either a
    > proportional voltage or current to the amount of oxygen? I know you can
    > monitor oxygen content with items such as magnetic fields and zirconium
    > crystals but these arrangements tend to be bulky, complex and pricey.
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