The MQ7 Gas Sensor module is useful for gas leakage detection. They are used in gas leakage detecting equipments in home and industry, are suitable for detecting of Carbon Monoxide. Due to its high sensitivity and response time, measurements can be taken as soon as possible.
The MQ-7 can detect Carbon Monoxide concentrations anywhere from 20 to 2000ppm.
The sensitivity of the sensor can be adjusted by using the potentiometer.
FEATURES
* High sensitivity to Carbon monoxide
* Fast response .
* Stable and long life
* Simple drive circuit
Parts List
I recommend you try and get a kit of all the MQ sensors, you can buy these individually but you can also get a kit for about $9
Here are the parts I used
Name | Links | |
Wemos Mini | ||
MQ sensors | ||
Connecting cables |
Connection
here are the connections for my sensor
Wemos | Gas Sensor |
---|---|
3v3 | VCC |
GND | GND |
NC | DO |
Analog A0 | AO |
Code
void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); } void loop() { float sensorVoltage; float sensorValue; sensorValue = analogRead(A0); sensorVoltage = sensorValue/1024*5.0; Serial.print("sensor voltage = "); Serial.print(sensorVoltage); Serial.println(" V"); delay(1000); }
Results
Again look at the serial monitor, you need to let the sensor stabilise. Remember it consists of a heating element, so you effectively have to let the sensor ‘heat up’.
sensor voltage = 1.54 V
sensor voltage = 1.51 V
sensor voltage = 1.50 V
sensor voltage = 1.47 V
sensor voltage = 1.46 V
sensor voltage = 1.44 V
sensor voltage = 1.43 V
sensor voltage = 1.41 V
sensor voltage = 1.39 V
sensor voltage = 1.38 V
about 4 minutes of readings here – 1 per second
sensor voltage = 0.71 V
sensor voltage = 0.71 V
sensor voltage = 0.71 V
sensor voltage = 0.71 V
sensor voltage = 0.71 V
sensor voltage = 0.71 V
sensor voltage = 0.70 V
sensor voltage = 0.70 V
sensor voltage = 0.71 V
sensor voltage = 0.70 V
This is not the right way to use this sensor.
According to the datasheet, it needs to heat for a minute, then you turn heater off and can measure CO for 90 sec and you need to repeat the cycle.
Agreed – http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-CO-Monitor-Using-MQ-7-Sensor/ actually has a good flow for how to use the sensor. The proper code is way more advanced as well its not a case of just reading the analog value in