Simple Lux Meter - DIY Light Intensity Meter

Ron.Cutts Mar 26.2025

0 14 Easy

Learn how to build a Simple Lux Meter to measure light intensity using a BH1750 sensor, Arduino UNO, and Visuino! This easy DIY project is perfect for beginners.

Watch the video!

STEP 1

What You Will Need

Arduino UNO or any other Arduino boardBreadboardLCD I2C 16BH1750 Ambient Light Sensor (I2C)Jumper wiresVisuino software: Download here

STEP 2

The Circuit

Connect Light Sensor pin [SCL] to Arduino pin [SCL]Connect Light Sensor pin [SDA] to Arduino pin [SDA]Connect Light Sensor pin [VCC] to Arduino pin [5v]Connect Light Sensor pin [GND] to Arduino pin [GND]

Connect LCD pin [SCL] to Arduino pin [SCL]Connect LCD Sensor pin [SDA] to Arduino pin [SDA]Connect LCD Sensor pin [VCC] to Arduino pin [5v]Connect LCD Sensor pin [GND] to Arduino pin [GND]

STEP 3

Start Visuino, and Select the Arduino UNO Board Type

The Visuino: https://www.visuino.com also needs to be installed. Download 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 on Picture 2

STEP 4

In Visuino Add, Set & Connect Components

Add "ROHM BH1750 Ambient Light Sensor (I2C)" componentAdd "Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) - I2C" component

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 METERIn 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 5In 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 LUXClose the Elements window

Connect "LightSensor1" pin I2C Control to Arduino I2C InConnect "LiquidCrystalDisplay1" pin I2C Control to Arduino I2C In

STEP 5

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 for this Instructable, you can download it and open it in Visuino: https://www.visuino.com

LuxMeter.zip 1KB Download(0)

License

All Rights

Reserved

Ron.Cutts Dec 09.2023

609 M-point

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