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As a sort of weird side project, I'd like to make an oven timer that has selectable food stuffs and associated timing information. Now while this device would be simple to make I would like to stick it on the oven which means it would have to deal with some significant but not ridiculous temperatures (gas oven, metal structure). Has anyone has any experience heat proofing things like HD44780 LCDs, AVRs and other delicate components or do I have to go and get hold of those military grade parts?

flag	asked Jan 28 at 2:53 penjuin♦ 1,337●1●8

unknown (google) · Answer 1 · 2010-01-29 15:46:18Z UTC

Typical ovens with electronics use a back panel to place the electronic components on. Putting an additional panel above or to the side of this panel will provide the best location. Mark has a good point though test the temp experienced at the location you plan to put the project before you start to build. Each component you use should have a rating given by the manufacture of the max heat the component should be exposed to. You may also consider using an old pc fan to place in the enclosure to aid in keeping everything cool.

Mark B · Answer 2 · 2010-01-28 20:12:18Z UTC

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Do you really need to put the electronics in that environment? Couldn't you simply use high temperature wire for the sensors and such, then mount the electronics in a slightly cooler location? Not trying to be mister obvious here just asking to understand. An oven is a rather dangerous appliance to automate, not that it can't be done safely, just that you need to make sure you have proper fail safes and such. I have built some very large kilns that were gas fired so I do understand some of the challenges with dealing with the heat. I always tried to remove any electronics to a temperature friendly zone.

answered Jan 28 at 20:12

Mark B
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	When I read the OP I thought he was saying that he wanted a timer, with selectable food stuffs/weights which could be stuck on the oven, not that he wanted to automate the oven controls. In other words just a timer (with a buzzer etc) stuck on the outside. But I could be wrong. – Amos♦ Jan 28 at 22:05
	Amos is correct and I understand that you could move the electronics but I figured it would be an interesting question to get some answers to. Thanks. – penjuin♦ Jan 29 at 7:20
	I guess the proper question then is what temperatures are you expecting to see at the electronics? Maybe some testing with a cooking thermometer in the location you plan to place the electronics is in order. That way we know what our target ambient rating needs to be. – Mark B Jan 29 at 14:56

Jason S · Answer 3 · 2010-01-29 15:01:26Z UTC

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why not use some insulation between the electronics and the thing that sticks to the oven? e.g. take a square potholder, affix electronics to one side and an applicance magnet to the other side.

answered Jan 29 at 15:01

Jason S♦
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I think he wants to put the electronics in the oven. For that, you'd probably need an asbestos potholder. – sheepsimulator Feb 2 at 15:45

unknown (google) · Answer 4 · 2010-01-29 15:47:26Z UTC

There's always and only three ways for heat to transfer: radiation, conduction and convection. Account for all three by shielding, isolating, and "mitigating".

That said, sticking electronics (of any kind) in an oven is not a great idea; out-gassing could occur with the plastic parts and thermal cycling is a great way to check the reliability of parts and their interconnects.

For temperatures above the 'normal' industrial range (say 70C), it's not just the military grade parts you'll need, but (perhaps) the ceramic PCBs, the heavy traces and bomb-proof assembly. It's why they're so expensive.

Much, much cheaper is what Mark B said, get the electronics outside, and just sense the temperature.

Dealing with excess heat

4 Answers