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Comment by jvanderbot | Hacker News Reader

I did a similar thing -- set up AQ sensors in the house.

I used the sps30 from sparkfun, CAD'd up a panel mount, 3d printed it, built a wooden box for it + a pi, set up all the networking and hosting, and packaged my utils for debian.

Anyway, the AQ is fine, HEPA filters work when in-line with the A/C, and there's nothing much to monitor even when AQ is mod/bad outside. Boring, but nice to know, and fun to learn all those new skills.

Just don't burn incense.

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That has been my experience too - unless you put your monitor in your kitchen, in which case frying or baking will usually cause a pretty significant spike...

Or standard paraffin candles! The soot (even when they burn normally/"clean") is killer.

I have some beeswax ones coming soon which are supposed to be better; my PM25 meter is standing by for their arrival.

I bought some electric candles. They can go months on a AA nimh battery, and if you pay enough for them, they are actually good / realistic enough for the wife's relaxation. Great for power outages as well.

I like fire, and I like dripping wax, and I have really nice sterling candelabras that look quite spiffy on my big table bedecked with a half dozen long black taper candles.

I feel the same way. Electrics are neat, though - especially if you make your own: https://cpldcpu.wordpress.com/2016/01/05/reverse-engineering...

But I just like the 'ambiance' too much. There are always different levels of risk adverseness: if I was considering candles a pollution health hazard I should also stop riding motorcycles, vaping various things, and stop eating like I do...

Is there a particular "expensive" model you would recommend for realism?

These work really well, and seem to actually be made of wax so the candle looks quite good. Note the "wick" is sunk in an inch or two so there's nothing to really suspend disbelief.

Also they have an optional 24-hour timer so they'll remember to turn on the same time you turned them on yesterday.

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/flameless-outdoor-candl...

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