Purpose

The GGreg20_V3 radioactive particle detector is an electronic sensor module for building a personal Geiger counter and determining the level of ionizing radiation. For this purpose, the detector includes an impulse counting output to a host controller. Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP8266, ESP32 and others can be used as a host controller.

The radiation level is indicated by light and sound signals. The user can mute sounds (jumper J1 – buzzer on/off).

GGreg20_V3 is an inexpensive and useful device for checking the “purity” of

• mushrooms,
• berries,
• vegetables,
• firewood, etc.

This module is useful for creating smart measurement devices for determining the power of ionizing radiation indoors or outdoors and is available in both portable/pocket style and stationary mode.

The only thing you need to start measuring ionizing radiation with the GGreg20 is any microcontroller that can count the number of pulses per unit time on GPIO.

Specifications

• Module dimensions – 30 x 126 x 12 mm. Weight 30 g.
• Power supply:

• a rechargeable battery or a battery:
  • 1-cell Li (3.7V) battery;
  • 2-cell Ni (2.4V) battery;
  • 3-cell 4.5V battery connected to the “Bat” port.
• a 5 Volt charger.

• Power supply of the SBM-20 tube is a built-in adjustable high voltage DC-DC converter. The target voltage level of 400 V is regulated by a potentiometer. The module is fine-tuned and ready for use.
• The module also works with the J305 tube, and it is possible to choose a configuration with this tube when ordering.

Warning! From September 1, 2022 the high voltage regulation function has been removed. The hardware fixes the voltage level at 400 volts.
At the same time, if you need a module with increased voltage regulation for your project, pay attention to the DCDC_3V3_4000V_V1 module: високовольтний перетворювач напруги

Update: February 2023 The feedback we receive from customers about the planned implementation of the changes has led us to the decision not to rush to fix the voltage level on the module, as this limits the possibility of using other tubes compatible with the module. Therefore, we have decided not to make any changes at all and are supplying the module in its original configuration.

• Consumption current – 18 mA at 5V or 30 mA at 3.7V via Li-Ion.
• GGreg20_v3 is compatible with the ESP8266/ESP32 logic signal levels (3V3 ACTIVE-LOW: 3 to 3.3V HIGH and about 0.7V LOW), and will work even with the 5V logic input.

Dimensions and Pin assignments

GGreg20_V3 module pin assignments are as follows:

• BAT – Power supply input 2.2 V – 5.5 V;
• ON. / OFF. – Main switch on/off; / OFF. – switching on / off the main switch;
• OUT – Pulse output, active-low;
• BUZ – Buzzer enable jumper.

The dimensions of the GGreg20_V3 module are as follows:

• X: 126 mm;
• Y: 30 mm;
• Z: 12 mm.

Differences and compatibility with previous versions of GGreg20

^{Note 1} GThe GGreg20_V2 module version has not been included in the comparison because it was developed for other design solutions (and did not provide space for the SBM-20 tube on the module board).

^{Note 2} The module board has a default protection diode against erroneous pole reversal when connecting the battery. Such protection will be appropriate despite the fact that it slightly narrows the voltage range of the input power supply which will be 3-5.5 volts. This narrows the voltage range of the input power supply: 3 – 5.5 volts.

^{Note 3} If you want to power the GGreg20_V3 from a 2.4 Volt source, you need to short the Schottky diode shown in the figure below with a wire or replace it with a 0 Ohm resistor. Note, however, that such a correction will disable the module’s reverse polarity protection.

Fig. GGreg20_V3 Reverse Polarity Protection Diode Manual Replacement Example

Switching-on and measurements

This module is ready for use. The GGreg20_V3 modules are adjusted, configured, and tested for compliance with the declared technical data before being shipped. Any adjustments or settings made by the customer may damage the module or introduce technical inconsistencies.

Connect the power input from the selected power source.

Turn on the power supply. After 10-15 seconds, you will hear a sound and see light signals when the active particles enter the tube.

At normal background radiation, the tube registers and generates 20-30 pulses per minute. The number of pulses can vary depending on weather or cosmic radiation.

Consider the average number of signals per minute.

If you receive more than 60 signals per minute, be careful: your detector has “felt” a dangerous level of ionizing radiation from the environment or food, mushrooms, wood, etc Your detector has “felt” the effects of ionizing radiation emissions from the ambient environment or food, mushrooms, or wood, etc.

In short, the formula is simple: you need to accumulate the number of ingoing GPIO pulses per minute and then multiply by a factor. Like this:

microsieverts per hour = (pulses per minute) * 0.0092

where 0.0092 is a coefficient obtained from the tube manufacturer’s documentation.

Tubes can vary (+ -20%), so we recommend using a conversion factor of 0.0054 to 0.0092 and calibrating the calculations with a trusted (certified) device.

Note: The differences between the tubes are: conversion factor for J305 is 0.00812, deadtime: 180 microseconds. Drivers and examples for SBM20 are compatible, but require replacement of the specified coefficients. It is recommended to operate the tube in a casing, as its bulb is transparent and measurements may be affected by photons of sunlight and similar factors.

Product kit sets:

1. GGreg20_V3 basic

• GGreg20_V3 Module — 1 pc

2. GGreg20_V3 basic + Connectors (installed) and cables

• GGreg20_V3 Module — 1 pc
• Connector JST XH 2P male straight — 2 pcs installed on the module board;
• Pulse output cable, 15 cm, with connectors — 1 pc:
  1. JST XH 2P female on the one hand Dupont 2x1P female on the other hand
  2. Dupont 2x1P female on the other side
• Power supply input cable, 15 cm, with JST XH 2P female connector on one side — 1 pc

3. GGreg20_V3 basic + SBM-20 tube

• GGreg20_V3 Module — 1 pc
• SBM-20 tube — 1 pc

4. GGreg20_V3 basic + SBM-20 tube + Connectors (installed) and cables

• GGreg20_V3 Module — 1 pc
• SBM-20 tube — 1 pc
• Connector JST XH 2P male straight — 2 pcs installed on the module board;
• Pulse output cable, 15 cm, with connectors — 1 pc:
  1. JST XH 2P female on one side and
  2. Dupont 2x1P female on the other side

• Power supply input cable, 15 cm, with JST XH 2P female connector on one side — 1 pc

5. GGreg20_V3 basic + Tube SBM-20 + Connectors (installed) and cables + Case(3d printing)

• GGreg20_V3 Module — 1 pc
• SBM-20 tube — 1 pc
• Connector JST XH 2P male straight — 2 pcs installed on the module board;
• Pulse output cable, 15 cm, with connectors — 1 pc:
  1. JST XH 2P female on one side and
  2. Dupont 2x1P female on the other side

• Power supply input cable, 15 cm, with JST XH 2P female connector on one side — 1 pc
• Case – 3D printed – 1 pc

6. GGreg20_V3 basic + J305 tube

• GGreg20_V3 Module — 1 pc
• J305 tube — 1 pc

7. GGreg20_V3 basic + J305 tube + Connectors (installed) and cables

• GGreg20_V3 Module — 1 pc
• J305 tube — 1 pc
• Connector JST XH 2P male straight — 2 pcs installed on the module board;
• Pulse output cable, 15 cm, with connectors — 1 pc:
  1. JST XH 2P female on one side and
  2. Dupont 2x1P female on the other side

• Power supply input cable, 15 cm, with JST XH 2P female connector on one side — 1 pc

8. GGreg20_V3 basic + J305 tube + Connectors (installed) and cables + Case(3d printing)

• GGreg20_V3 Module — 1 pc
• J305 tube — 1 pc
• Connector JST XH 2P male straight — 2 pcs installed on the module board;
• Pulse output cable, 15 cm, with connectors — 1 pc:
  1. JST XH 2P female on one side and
  2. Dupont 2x1P female on the other side

• Power supply input cable, 15 cm, with JST XH 2P female connector on one side — 1 pc
• Case – 3D printed – 1 pc

Technical description: GGreg20_V3 Datasheet ENG , GGreg20_V3 Datasheet UKR

References

Manufacturer’s notice

Dear Reader! Thank you for your interest in our products. We hope that you enjoy this device. “IoT-devices” has been made possible thanks to the support of our Customers, as well as our experience and love for Electronics.

Designed and manufactured by IoT-devices with freedom and wisdom in Ukraine in 2021. All rights reserved.