LM35 Sensor? Answered

\/*LM35 Thermometer
*
*LM35 simply connected to:      5+
*         0V
*         Analog Pin 0
*/

int potPin = 0;         //input read pin for LM35 is Analog Pin 0
float temperature = 0;       //variable which will be calculated in process

void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("LM35 Thermometer    ");  //Print "LM35 Thermometer" once at start
}

void  printTenths( int value){
   // prints a value of  123 as 12.3
Serial.print(value / 10);
Serial.print(".");
Serial.println( value % 10);
}

void loop ()
{
  int span = 20;
  int aRead = 0;
  for (int i = 0; i < span; i++) {   //loop to get average of 20 readings
    aRead = aRead + analogRead(potPin);
}
  aRead = aRead / span;

  temperature = (5.220*aRead*100/1024);      //convert voltage to temperature
  Serial.print ("Analog in reading: ");
  Serial.print (long(aRead));  //print temperature value on serial screen
    Serial.print (" - Calculated Temp: ");
    printTenths(long(temperature));

  delay(500);
}

Be careful if you copy/paste to look for wrapped lines.

The Arduno's resolution is pretty crappy though - the sensivity will be horrible.

decent if it's what you have and don't need uber precision...

Would you not be able to trade precision for range? By altering the aRef from 5 down to 2.5 your readings would go from 0-100 to 0-50, with twice the voltage steps detected/degree.

Still agree, not a great sensor. I'd prefer something with an internal adc and i2c

Yes, tweaking the Vref to something lower would be a good plan - though these on-board ADCs are very noisy.

The LM35 is pretty accurate though, certainly compared to the +/- 2 deg "precision" sensors with digital interfaces, like Maxim make.. I ask you , how the heck can 2 deg C be "precision" ????

All you need is a cheap opamp to boost the signal, with a gain of 10 and practically no AC gain, and you're there.

repeatability answers that question. if repeatable, then it can be calibrated. It doesn't output discrete steps.