Any ideas on how to use a MLX90614

[Stephen2615]

There is a lot of discussion about the MLX90614 (MLX) but rarely do I see a practical way of using it for a cloud sensor. The sensor has to be open to the elements, so it can't have any Perspex covering it.

Eg, you can drill an eight mm hole in some plastic case and put the sensor through it and then run the "leads" to your microcontroller (ESP32 or whatever). I am interested in finding out what solutions the MLX users have to keep the bits under the MLX waterproof. There has to be some method of forcing the MLX into the hole to stop any moisture leaking down the sides of the MLX into the case below. The various pictures I see on the net just don't give any indication of what is keeping the MLX in place and waterproof.

Any ideas and especially pictures would be very welcome.

TIA!

Stephen

[Alex-developer]

Stephen

I solved this problem by rotating the sensor thru 90 degrees and reflecting the sky using tin foil !

When I am back at my pc I'll try and do a simple drawing of how I did this

My mlx has been running for about 3 years like this

Cheers

Alex