This is a pre-wired and waterproof DS18B20 sensor crafted with a PTFE wire cable. It's super handy for measuring temperatures in distant or wet areas. Unlike our other waterproof version with a PVC cable, this one can handle temperatures up to 125°C, which is the sensor's limit. However, it's not suitable for salt-water or corrosive environments as the stainless steel may rust over time. Since the sensor signal is digital, there's no signal degradation even over long distances. These 1-wire digital temperature sensors are quite precise (±0.5°C over most of the range) and can offer up to 12 bits of precision from the onboard digital-to-analog converter. They work well with any microcontroller using a single digital pin, and you can connect multiple sensors to the same pin as each has a unique 64-bit ID. They're compatible with 3.0 - 5.0V systems. The only drawback is that they use the somewhat complex Dallas 1-Wire protocol, which needs some code to handle the communication. If you want something simpler and have an analog input pin, the TMP36 is a better choice. We also include a 4.7k resistor, which is necessary as a pullup from the DATA to VCC line when using the sensor. You can start using the sensor with the Dallas Temperature Control Arduino library, which also requires the OneWire Library.
Using this DS18B20 digital temperature sensor is quite straightforward. First, connect it to your microcontroller using a single digital pin. Make sure to attach the 4.7k resistor we provided as a pullup from the DATA to VCC line. You can then use the Dallas Temperature Control Arduino library (which also needs the OneWire Library) to start getting temperature readings. You can even connect multiple sensors to the same pin as each has a unique ID. When using the sensor, keep in mind that it's not suitable for salt - water or corrosive environments as the stainless steel part may rust. Also, since it uses the Dallas 1 - Wire protocol, there's a bit of code involved to handle the communication. For maintenance, store the sensor in a dry place when not in use. If it gets dirty, you can gently clean it with a soft, dry cloth.
