Pocket thermal viewer

What you will work towards

See a coarse heat map of objects around the workshop.

CAIBI’s proposed addition: Design a sensor window and grip, check temperature scaling and document resolution limits.

Guide version 1.0. AI can help explain, adapt and debug; you still measure, assemble and test the physical result.

Start with the original

Tutorial foundation

• How To Electronics · open source material ↗

Tutorial located; parts, current dependencies and physical results have not been tested by CAIBI.

See the original source for its photos and demonstrations. We have not copied imagery without confirmed reuse rights. A source prototype is not a photo of this proposed CAIBI build.

Parts to confirm before buying

• ESP32 board and MLX90640 breakout compatible with the source
• Source web display on a phone or computer
• Protected low-voltage supply and suitable short sensor wiring
• Measured grip or tabletop case with an unobstructed sensor view

Use the source wiring and bill of materials as the starting point. Confirm exact variants, availability, tools and complete cost before ordering.

The completion route

1. Reproduce the source heat map before adding any controls or enclosure.
2. Add a visible temperature scale, fixed/automatic range choice and missing-frame indication.
3. Compare ordinary room-temperature objects; record distance and surface differences that affect interpretation.
4. Design a case that does not cover the sensor with ordinary window material and retest after assembly.

Prompts to move it forward

Copy a prompt into your AI tool with the source material and your actual parts. Work through one small step at a time and check the output before using it. Choose an AI tool or practise the skills first.

Extend the linked MLX90640 web viewer with a labelled scale, frame-age indicator, bounded sensor retries and a choice of fixed or automatic temperature range. Ask for board/core/library versions. Clearly distinguish interpolation from native sensor resolution and avoid medical or electrical-safety conclusions.

Source: https://how2electronics.com/diy-esp32-mlx90640-ir-thermal-camera-with-live-web-display/

Ask for the exact sensor breakout, field of view and measured PCB dimensions. Design a grip or stand with an unobstructed sensor aperture, cable strain relief and ventilation. Do not put an unverified transparent cover over the thermal sensor.

Source: https://how2electronics.com/diy-esp32-mlx90640-ir-thermal-camera-with-live-web-display/

Create a test log for Pocket thermal viewer. Intended outcome: See a coarse heat map of objects around the workshop. Separate expected behaviour from observed results. Include power restart, disconnected inputs, communication failure and the actual physical use. Ask me to provide results, firmware versions, changes, photos and unresolved problems. Never mark a test passed without my evidence.

Source: https://how2electronics.com/diy-esp32-mlx90640-ir-thermal-camera-with-live-web-display/

What to test and record

• Disconnect the sensor and verify that a frozen frame is labelled.
• Compare fixed and automatic colour scales on the same scene.
• Record distance, surface and ambient conditions with a sample capture.
• Compare the open board and enclosed device and check for self-heating effects.

Keep photos, exact parts and software versions with the test log. Failed or incomplete attempts are useful evidence too.

A possible next version

Add saved images and annotations after the live viewer has reliable scaling and error handling.