What you're getting into?
Please understand that the internet is fraught with pitfalls for new hobbyists. There are countless videos showing LEDs connected without resistors and websites suggesting you can haphazardly connect 5V logic to 3.3V devices. Regarding the specific sensor you have that failed, while general search results might claim it operates at 3.3V, the datasheet reveals that 3.7V is the absolute minimum voltage required. This is because the internal heating element cannot draw sufficient power at 3.3V to function correctly.
Normally, the heating element will heat up to a target temperature and then blink on and off to maintain that level. However, at 3.3V, it effectively gets stuck in an "on" state because it never reaches the temperature required to cycle off. This causes the element to burn out; it might take a month, or it might take two minutes, but it is dying while being operated below 3.7V. Furthermore, the datasheet indicates that even if it runs, operating at this voltage reduces the sensor's lifespan by 70% to 85%, meaning a part meant to last three years may only last six months.
Until you learn to interpret the limitations of your hardware, you will continue to damage components. You must avoid general internet summaries and rely on raw datasheets. You need to find the datasheet for the sensor board, identify the specific Integrated Circuit (IC) on that board, and then read the datasheet for that IC to find the real electrical values required.
Normally, the heating element will heat up to a target temperature and then blink on and off to maintain that level. However, at 3.3V, it effectively gets stuck in an "on" state because it never reaches the temperature required to cycle off. This causes the element to burn out; it might take a month, or it might take two minutes, but it is dying while being operated below 3.7V. Furthermore, the datasheet indicates that even if it runs, operating at this voltage reduces the sensor's lifespan by 70% to 85%, meaning a part meant to last three years may only last six months.
Until you learn to interpret the limitations of your hardware, you will continue to damage components. You must avoid general internet summaries and rely on raw datasheets. You need to find the datasheet for the sensor board, identify the specific Integrated Circuit (IC) on that board, and then read the datasheet for that IC to find the real electrical values required.
