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I've had a bit of experience with DHT11/DHT22 sensors in a greenhouse environment, and believe that when they get wet they stop working altogether.

Are there any low cost humidity sensors that I can hook up to an Arduino that don't suffer from this problem, or is there a way to protect these sensors from damage when near water? (I'm not talking about immersing them in water - but do expect condensation to get sprayed with water and/or get condensation on them from time-to-time).

Am I correct that the SHTxx sensors are able to withstand this kind of abuse, and that these sensors are about 5-10 times the cost of DHT sensors? (I did not want to spend that much, but if it's the only possibility I might consider it).

dda
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davidgo
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1 Answers1

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2022 UPDATE: After ~5 years since I wrote this answer, I'd like to mention that I don't like BME280 anymore, because of its (1) inaccuracy and (2) requirement to make some non-trivial computations to get real values from sensor's data. If you already got a BME280 and your project requires only approximate values of temperature/humidity, it will work, go ahead. Otherwise, consider using SHT3x!

See also this, this, and especially this one.

Original answer:

I'd consider using Bosch BME280 digital sensor. Although it's a bit expensive, it has very good sensitivity, precision and amazingly fast response for humidity changes (for ex. in my project it detects dry human hand lying in 2" away within a 1-2 seconds).

So its features make possible to put it into an enclosure to avoid direct water contact with water spays and it'll still be very responsive for greenhouse needs, I suppose. Datasheet warns:

Liquids shall not come into direct contact with the device.

Also, I'd use electronic-friendly protective acrylic lacquer (Plasticote 70 for instance) and put two layers to sensor's PCB, avoiding small black tiny vent hole on the chip itself: BME280

UPD: Here's DHT11 with cover removed: DHT11 inside

It might be the easiest and cheapest solution to cover all internal contacts and IC (avoiding humidity sensor's stripes) of DHT11 with Plasticote 70.

finnan
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