NEW Lightning detector I built

[Elliott]

So I got the idea to buy some used 1980's Escort radar detectors, gut the radar circuitry, and use the enclosure, meter and speaker to house a lightning detector circuit I'm building. Here are pics of what I got done today. NW Skywarn has "dibbs" on this one.





Rear of front panel


Rear jack desoldered from board and remounted in rear panel.


Starting to wire in the detector board

[Elliott]

This is how I determined how to scale my meter; the schematic is for a 100 uA (microamp) meter, but the Escort meter takes 200 uA, so I replaced the 5.1K series resistor with a 3 K and 2K trimpot. This pic shows the needle at full scale and associative current.


Interestingly, the original bulb socket for the amber alert light has internal threads that happen to match the outer threads of my chrome LED holder that I'm putting a white LED in to indicate strikes. I had to modify the socket slightly, hence the grey epoxy.




More to follow.

[dmartin]

Way too cool!

[strmchser]

great work, how reliable are lightning detectors?

[Elliott]

They work like an AM radio, and can detect long before you hear thunder or see lightning. It isn't directional, but picks up the electrical noise generated and creates signal pulses that can flash an LED, drive a meter, or speaker (crackle sound). It can warn you when to get indoors if need be, but is up the discretion of the user.

[NW-SKYWARN]

Nice, very nice.... just think .... thats going into the GUARDIAN.... I cant wait Great job Elliot.... and thanks.... I cant wait to try her out when we have our next thunderstorm.....

[Elliott]

Well, I have to come up with MUTE, POWER and STRIKE labels, but here it is....just waiting for some lightning to test it.





I had to build a custom plate to mount the UHF CB type antenna jack on the rear, and cover the large opening from the original radar horn antenna.

[Elliott]

To mechanically stabilize the circuit board, I cut some perfboard to fit the slots within the chassis. Then I used a Dremel tool with a cutting wheel to cut out a section to inlay the smaller circuit I had built before knowing the mounting options. I soldered legs around the perimeter to attach the boards.









Rear jacks for power, inside vehicle antenna (1/8") and outside antenna (UHF SO-239)

[Elliott]

New unit next to another Escort unit. Escort logos have been removed from my unit.

[KF6NFW]

If you could provide a schematic, and parts list, this would be a fun project.

I have very solid skills in such work, and am always looking for new toys.