Projects – Page 2

October 13, 2018October 15, 2018

Creepy Halloween Doll

In time for Halloween, an Arduino controlled, WiFi-enabled, creepy animated doll. The doll can be controlled manually using a mobile device or set to 1 of 3 automatic modes in order to surprise your friends! Enjoy the video below for now, more details to follow here shortly…

For now, the 3D printable parts to enable control of the eyes can be found here:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3152317

The micro servos required to control movement of the head and eyes can be purchased here:

https://www.banggood.com/TowerPro-SG90-Mini-Gear-Micro-Servo-9g-For-RC-Airplane-Helicopter-p-1009914.html?p=KF2715792233201409DJ

September 16, 2018September 16, 2018

New Project – Creepy Halloween Doll

This weekends project, turn a creepy looking doll into an interactive Halloween prop!

First step, remove the head and attach a motor.

Two options were considered, a stepper (above) and a servo. I wanted the head to be able to turn 360 degrees but the stepper motor was too slow. Even though the servo can only rotate 180 degrees, the speed is good and it was also easier to attach so this is what I decided upon.

With the head back in the dolls body (thanks to a lot of hot glue!) it’s time to test, next up will be programming some sort of routine and maybe add some additional theatrics…

Adding a strobe using a transistor and animating specific moves…

August 10, 2018

Arduino Garden

So I started work on my next project today, an automatic garden watering system and monitor based built using Arduino. My plan is to create a system that can:

Monitor basic parameters such as temperature and humidity
Detect when soil moisture is low and water automatically from a tap or reservoir
Be accessible and controllable via the internet
Alert when reservoir is low, excess temperature etc.

With the following additional features depending on how much success I have:

Collect excess water and recycle back to reservoir
Be powered using batteries recharged from a small solar panel

I started out using an Arduino Uno and a cheap 5V motor in order to determine if it could be powered from the USB alone and provide sufficient power to pump water over a distance of approximately 1m. I connected as follows:

Once this was successfully pumping water, I attached an ESP-01 and configured it to connect with Blynk to enable remote control.

The 5V motor

Pumping water

ESP-01

Wiring

This enabled me to start the pump from my phone but unfortunately Blynk would then suddenly disconnect and I would have to recycle power to the ESP-01 to get it going again. So thinking this may be due to the fact the ESP devices are very sensitive to their supply I am attempting to isolate it from both the Arduino and the pump using an external power supply and a relay switch.

I’ll let you know how I get on…

August 9, 2018

UPDATE – Solar Shed

So the solar shed has been up and running for a few months now, decided it was finally time to ditch the breadboard based data transmitter and tidy things up a little.

Before:

After:

April 11, 2018April 11, 2018

Blind Controller Version 2 is here

The original blind controller has been redesigned to incorporate a ‘snap fit’ gear cover for quicker installation/removal, improved mounting points and an overall more efficient/error free design. Download it now via Thingiverse

April 10, 2018April 11, 2018

Making screw free joints for Blind Controller

To allow for quicker installation as well as improved asthetics of my automated blind controller I am redesigning the gear surround and cover to enable them to be joined to one another without screws.

Attempt 1.

For my first attempt I tried a push pin type connector, the resulting design snapped together but broke when I then tried to separate the two parts.

Attempt 2.

For my second attempt I am trying a dovetail join and have cropped the print such that I can test the joint before printing the piece entirely (should have thought of this the first time round!).

Success!

February 20, 2018February 20, 2018

Automatic Blind Controller Alexa Demonstration

A demonstration of my automatic blind controller using Alexa via the remote. All parts were designed and 3D printed. Control is via an Arduino nano and RF switch. See my other videos for assembly. Further details and 3D printable parts available via thingiverse:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2631414

As well as the 3D printed parts, you will need the following items:

1 x L298N 2 Channel DC Motor Driver
https://www.banggood.com/Dual-Channel-L298N-DC-Motor-Driver-Board-PWM-Speed-Dual-H-Bridge-Stepper-Module-p-1162946.html?p=KF2715792233201409DJ

1 x DC 12V Worm Gear and Motor (10-50 rpm)
https://www.banggood.com/DC-12V-356065110220rpm-Worm-Gear-Box-Reduction-Motor-p-1197020.html?p=KF2715792233201409DJ

1 x Arduino Nano
https://www.banggood.com/ATmega328P-Nano-V3-Controller-Board-Compatible-Arduino-p-940937.html?p=KF2715792233201409DJ

2 x DC Female Jacks
https://www.banggood.com/10pcs-5_5-x-2_1mm-DC-Power-Supply-Female-Jack-Socket-p-1062018.html?p=KF2715792233201409DJ

1 x IC2262 RF Transmitter/Reciever (433/315MHz depending on country)
https://www.banggood.com/IC2262-2272-M4-4-Channel-Wireless-Remote-Lock-Receiving-Board-With-Remote-Control-p-1031857.html?p=KF2715792233201409DJ

1 x Small PCB Board
https://www.banggood.com/40pcs-FR-4-Double-Side-Prototype-PCB-Printed-Circuit-Board-p-995732.html?p=KF2715792233201409DJ

1 x 12V DC PSU
Various M3 Bolts
Ribbon Cables and Dupont Connectors
1 x Yellow LED
1 x Green LED
2 x Plastic Square Buttons
6/7 Resistors
1 x Photo Resistor (Optional)