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Simple Lux Meter - DIY Light Intensity Meter

168

2025-05-27 | By Ron Cutts

License: General Public License Displays Light Arduino

 

Download Visuino Project file


Step 1: What You Will Need

What You Will Need

What You Will Need

What You Will Need

What You Will Need

What You Will Need

What You Will Need

  1. Arduino UNO or any other Arduino board

  2. Breadboard

  3. LCD I2C 16

  4. BH1750 Ambient Light Sensor (I2C)

  5. Jumper wires

  6. Visuino software: Download here

Step 2: The Circuit

The Circuit

  1. Connect Light Sensor pin [SCL] to Arduino pin [SCL]

  2. Connect Light Sensor pin [SDA] to Arduino pin [SDA]

  3. Connect Light Sensor pin [VCC] to Arduino pin [5v]

  4. Connect Light Sensor pin [GND] to Arduino pin [GND]

  1. Connect LCD pin [SCL] to Arduino pin [SCL]

  2. Connect LCD Sensor pin [SDA] to Arduino pin [SDA]

  3. Connect LCD Sensor pin [VCC] to Arduino pin [5v]

  4. Connect LCD Sensor pin [GND] to Arduino pin [GND]

Step 3: Start Visuino, and Select the Arduino UNO Board Type

Start Visuino, and Select the Arduino UNO Board Type

Start Visuino, and Select the Arduino UNO Board Type

The Visuino: https://www.visuino.com also needs to be installed. Download the free version or register for a Free Trial.

Start Visuino as shown in the first picture Click on the "Tools" button on the Arduino component (Picture 1) in Visuino When the dialog appears, select "Arduino UNO" as shown in Picture 2

Step 4: In Visuino Add, Set & Connect Components

In Visuino Add, Set & Connect Components

In Visuino Add, Set & Connect Components

In Visuino Add, Set & Connect Components

In Visuino Add, Set & Connect Components

In Visuino Add, Set & Connect Components

In Visuino Add, Set & Connect Components

In Visuino Add, Set & Connect Components

In Visuino Add, Set & Connect Components

  1. Add "ROHM BH1750 Ambient Light Sensor (I2C)" component

  2. Add "Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) - I2C" component

  1. Double click on the "LiquidCrystalDisplay1" and in the Elements window drag "Text Field" to the left side and in the properties window set "Column" to 2, "Initial Value" to LIGHT METER

  2. In the Elements window, drag another "Text Field" to the left side and in the properties window set "Column" to 3, "Row" to 1, "Width" to 5

  3. In the Elements window, drag another "Text Field" to the left side and in the properties window set "Column" to 9, "Row" to 1, "Width" to 8, "Initial Value" to LUX

  4. Close the Elements window

  1. Connect "LightSensor1" pin I2C Control to Arduino I2C In

  2. Connect "LiquidCrystalDisplay1" pin I2C Control to Arduino I2C In

Step 5: Generate, Compile, and Upload the Arduino Code

Generate, Compile, and Upload the Arduino Code

In Visuino, at the bottom, click on the "Build" Tab, make sure the correct port is selected, then click on the "Compile/Build and Upload" button.

Step 6: Play

If you power the Arduino module, the LCD will start to show the Light Intensity value in LUX.

Congratulations! You have completed your project with Visuino. Also attached is the Visuino project that I created. You can download it and open it in Visuino: https://www.visuino.com

Have questions or comments? Continue the conversation on TechForum, DigiKey's online community and technical resource.