Engine Temperature Monitoring

Introduction

Monitoring the temperature of your engine is crucial to ensuring its longevity and performance, especially in challenging environments. In this blog, we will guide you through setting up a temperature monitoring system for your engine using the versatile ESP32 microprocessor. While there are many off-the-shelf Zigbee temperature sensors, they cannot handle the extreme temperatures near an engine. Instead, we will use the DS18b20 one-wire sensor, which can handle temperatures up to 125°C and is relatively waterproof. You can easily purchase a pack of five of these sensors for less than $15 on Aliexpress. Let’s dive into the details of this exciting project.

Setting Up the Temperature Monitoring System

For this project, we will use the ESP32 microprocessor as a remote hub. The ESP32 is equipped with numerous ports, allowing you to connect a wide variety of sensors. If you haven’t set up an ESP32 before, don’t worry; I have a separate video guide dedicated to providing a quick and easy setup.

On my boat, I have installed four temperature sensors around the engine to monitor the coolant temperature, temperature near the thermostat, the raw water elbow temperature, and the alternator temperature. This setup allows me to receive early warnings well before the engine reaches a critical state. For example, the temperature at the raw water elbow for my boat is normally between 38°C and 40°C. I have set an alert if it rises to 42°C. This would indicate an abnormal situation, such as a worn impeller, intake blockage, or no water flow at all. Speaking of alerts, the alternator temperature sensor is particularly useful now that we are starting to use lithium batteries, which have the ability to work your alternator harder.

Furthermore, you have the ability to review historical data on engine temperature and oil pressure trends. This feature allows you to track and analyze how these parameters fluctuate over time, providing valuable insights into the performance and health of your boat’s engine.

Conclusion

By implementing this engine temperature monitoring system using the ESP32 microprocessor and DS18b20 sensors, you can ensure early detection of potential issues and maintain the optimal performance of your engine. This setup not only provides real-time alerts but also allows you to analyze historical data, giving you a comprehensive understanding of your engine’s health. Whether you are a boating enthusiast or simply looking to enhance your engine’s reliability, this project is a practical and valuable addition to your toolkit. Happy monitoring!