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Image by John Sekutowski

Time to build your own Tempura!

First, these are the things you'll need

Main components

Rest of the items

Components

  • MicroSD card

  • Breadboard

  • 4.7 k Ohm Resistor

  • Multiple and various connection cables

  • Powerbank 

  • Waterproof box (e.g lunchbox)

  • Washing sponges

  • Buoy (e.g plastic bottle)

  • Velcro strap

  • Colored wrapping plastic

Tools

  • PC, display, keyboard & mouse or a laptop

  • Drilling machine (just for one hole)

  • Glue 

Part I: Setting up the Raspberry Pi

  1. Insert SD-card to a computer other than the Raspberry Pi

  2. Go to the official Raspberry Pi website

  3. Follow the official tutorial to install the Raspberry Pi OS on the SD card. If you're inexperienced choose the operative system that's recommended.

  4. When the software is installed insert the SD card into the Raspberry Pi.

  5. Plug the Raspberry Pi to a power source, monitor, mouse and keyboard.

  6. Follow the official guide to finish the setup of the Raspberry Pi.

Part II: Adding  temperature sensor, GPS & display

1. Connect the display and temperature sensor by connecting cables from them to the breadboard   and the Raspberry Pi according to the circuit diagram down below. Note that the display should be able to move freely. This is done by letting the cables connect directly to the pins on the display in the same column as in the diagram. Also note that the order of the temperature sensor wires matter, follow the colors in diagram.

2. Plug in the GPS to one of the USB slots on the Raspberry Pi.

3. Open the terminal on the Raspberry Pi.

4. Write the following commands, one at a time, in the terminal to activate the temperature sensor. sudo modprobe w1-gpio

sudo modprobe w1-therm

5. Now write the next commands, one at a time, in the terminal to setup the GPS.

sudo apt-get install gpsd gpsd-clients

sudo systemctl stop gpsd.socket 

sudo systemctl disable gpsd.socket 

sudo killall gpsd

sudo gpsd/dev/ttyACMO -F/var/run/gpsd.socket

Part III: Adding  the Tempura software

1. Copy the python code from our page temp.py into a python file and name it "temp.py" on the Raspberry Pi. This file will handle the data logging and display.

2. Create a file named “temp.csv” on the Raspberry Pi. This is where the data will be stored.

3. In order to run the program continuously while the Raspberry Pi is on, a service must be created. Start by opening the terminal on the Raspberry Pi and write the command:

sudo nano /lib/systemd/system/temp.service

4. In the file that comes up write the following:

[Unit]

Description=temp

After=multi-user.target

 

[Service]

Type=idle

User=pi

ExecStart=/usr/bin/python /home/pi/temp.py

Restart=no

 

[Install]

WantedBy=multi-user.target

5. Save the file with ctrl + S and exit with ctrl + X

6. In the terminal on the Raspberry Pi write the following commands:

sudo chmod 644 /etc/systemd/system/temp.service

sudo systemctl daemon-reload

sudo systemctl enable temp.service

7. Now the python script will be running continuously after startup.

8. If you want to stop running the script type in the terminal:

sudo systemctl disable temp.service

Part IV: Adding  the enclosure

  1. ​Place the electronics in a waterproof box to decide the layout.

  2. Empty the box.

  3. Wrap the box in a colored wrapping plastic.

  4. Drill a hole for the temperature sensor cable.

  5. Pull the temperature cable through leaving enough length within the box to connect it to the breadboard. 

  6. Waterproof the cable opening with hot melt adhesive.

  7. Glue a velcro strap to one side of the box. The cable bundle will be attached here.

  8. Measure a length of 3 meters from the tip of the temperature sensor and zip-tie a plastic bottle at this place. 

  9. Place the electronics in the box as before. Fill empty spaces with washing sponges.

  10. Close the lid and congratulations, your Tempura sensor is done!

​

We showcase the step-by-step process of assembling our sensor in the exciting video below!

Part V: Testing it for the first time

Congratulations on successfully building the sensor! It's time to head down to the sea for its first test. Simply follow the easy steps demonstrated in the video below to learn how to prepare the sensor for use and properly turn it off when you're done. Let's dive in and make the most of this exciting experience!

Part VI: Submitting data

Currently the data transfer is done by emailing the "temp.csv" file, along with a picture of your own Tempura, to us after your fishing trip. Until we have the software and infrastructure to handle this automatically, which is of highest priority, we see this as the best solution to transfer and verify the data. To do this:

1. Connect your Raspberry Pi to a desktop. 

2. Email directly from the Raspberry Pi or first transfer the file to your other computer and then email from there.

3. Include a picture of your Tempura! We really want to see what you've come up with and also verify that your now part of the Tempura community

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