Air Quality Sensor - User Guide

Quick Start

Follow these steps to get started with your air quality sensor:


  • Unbox your air quality sensor. You'll find the sensor module and the sensor board.
  • Connect the sensor module to the board
  • Connect the USB cable to power the board.
    • Once you've completed these steps, your air quality sensor should be up and running.

    Physical Mount on the Wall

    To mount the device on the wall, we strongly recommend using the T-screw provided in the accessory bag.



    A lanyard can also be used as an alternative mounting method.

    The connector between the board and the sensor module is delicate. Handle with care during mounting and prevent accidental falls. A fall could damage the connector and compromise the device's functionality.

    While the T-screw (or nail/lanyard) serves as the primary mounting method, the double-sided adhesive patch provided in the accessory bag is offered only to prevent wobbling - it should not be used as the primary mounting solution.

    Understanding Your Air Quality Sensor

    Behavior

  • The dial on the Air Quality Sensor shows the current AQI level, sampled 10 times every hour by default.
  • Simply tap the center button to see the current air quality level.
  • If the air quality reaches above 50 on the AQI scale, you'll be notified by a subtle animation. Tap to dismiss it.

    • Learning from Your Sensor

    You can use the sensor to understand how your actions affect the health of your local environment:

    • Observe how activities like cooking, burning wood, or lighting candles affect air quality.
    • Monitor external factors such as lack of wind, traffic, or wildfires that may degrade air quality.
    • Use this information to decide when to close windows or turn on an air purifier.

    Saving Data on an SD Card

    To collect data over time using an SD card, you need to set up the SD card with two key elements: the WiFi configuration file and the web interface.


    To get started insert the SD Card into your computer using the provided adapter if needed.

    Config File Generation

    • Use the form below to generate a WiFi configuration file named "wifi_credentials.txt".
    • Create a folder named "config" in the root directory of the SD card.
    • Place the "wifi_credentials.txt" file in the "config" folder.

    Note: This data is kept local and is never transmitted to the internet.





    No special characters allowed

    Web Interface download

    1. Download the default template for the web interface here.
    2. Add the folder 'webinterface' to the root of your SD card.

    Once you've completed these steps,The SD Card should have the following structure and files:



    Now you are ready to insert the SD card into your sensor. Connect the sensor to power, and it will connect to the local network via WiFi.

    To access the web interface, go to: airqualitysensor.local



    Here is a screencapture of the process to prepare the SD card:

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I change the frequency at which the sensor is reading?

    Yes, you can. Go into the web interface, click on the info button in the top right, and reveal the settings to adjust the frequency.

    Which SD cards are compatible with the Air Quality Sensor?

    SDSC and SDHC cards are compatible, but SDXC cards are not. We recommend using SanDisk or Transcend SD cards for best performance.

    What is the coin cell battery bay on the board for?

    The coin cell battery bay is for cases where the sensor can't access the internet to get the time. In such cases, the time must be set manually. When generating the WiFi configuration file, a timestamp is added, at startup, if no internet is detected, the sensor sets its internal time based on this timestamp. The coin cell battery keeps the sensor's clock running during power shutdowns so it doesn't need to be set manually again.

    Where can I find the open-source code for the sensor?

    You can find the code here:
    https://github.com/studioluff/airqualitysensor/

    Which power adapter should I use?

    The Air Quality Sensor is designed to be versatile in terms of power supply. Virtually any standard power adapter should work effectively. During testing, the sensor has been successfully operated when connected directly to a computer's USB port, as well as when plugged into standard wall outlets using a USB-C connection.

    I cannot access the web interface. What should I do?

    There are multiple reasons why you might not be able to access the web interface. You can run a diagnostic on your Air Quality Sensor by long-pressing for up to 10 seconds; three LEDs will light up. Here’s what they indicate:

  • The first LED (12 o'clock) shows SD card recognition.
  • The second LED (3 o'clock) indicates WiFi connection.
  • The third LED (6 o'clock) shows internet connection.
    • If all LEDs are green, ensure the device name matches the URL you're using. For example, if the device name is airqualitysensor_kitchen, the correct URL would be http://airqualitysensor_kitchen.local.

    Can I remove the blue wrapping from the sensor module?

    Yes, you can.

    The connector between the Air Quality board and the sensor module broke, what should I do?

    This is unfortunate, but you should be able to fix your Air Quality Sensor easily. You should find a spare connector to solder on the board in the accessory pouch.
    If you don't have a soldering iron, drop us an email.

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