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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:

sketch1-1024x919.jpg

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.

DSC00376

I’ll let you know how I get on…

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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:

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Blynk with ESP32

In this tutorial I will show you how to configure an ESP32 device within the Arduino IDE and connect it to the Blynk mobile App tp monitor/interact with a variety of projects, in this example a temperature and humidity monitor for a mini greenhouse.

The ESP32 device used in this tutorial can be purchased here:

https://www.banggood.com/ESP32-Development-Board-WiFiBluetooth-Ultra-Low-Power-Consumption-Dual-Cores-ESP-32-ESP-32S-Board-p-1109512.html?p=KF2715792233201409DJ

You’ll also need an DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor:

https://www.banggood.com/KY-015-DHT11-Temperature-Humidity-Sensor-Module-For-Arduino-p-916173.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CN

The Arduino code for this tutorial is available here:

http://medfizz.com/cabuu/Arduino_Scripts/BlynkWithESP32.ino

 

 

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How to configure Amazon Echo to control RF devices using the Broadlink RM Pro

Cheap Radio-Frequeny (RF) devices may be easily controlled using Amazon Echo and the Broadlink RM Pro. This short tutorial demonstrates how to configure new devices in the Intelligent Home Centre App and enable the Broadlink skill in the Amazon Echo app to control them.

The RM Pro is available at the link below:

https://www.banggood.com/Broadlink-RM-Pro-Smart-Home-Automation-Phone-Wireless-Remote-Universal-Controller-p-942667.html?p=KF2715792233201409DJ

Details of my 3D printed Blind Controller may be found at thingiverse:

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

 

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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.

SnapDesign1.jpg

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!).

SnapDesign2.jpg

Success!

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How To: Smooth PLA Prints

In this brief article I will show you how I smooth PLA after printing.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Step 1. Rough Sand using a dremel

Get rid of any excess support material and major defects using coarse sandpaper or a dremel multitool. Wet and dry using warm soapy water.

Step 2. Fill holes with plastic putty

Cover rough surfaces with plastic putty and spread using fingers, leave some excess as we will be sanding this away after. I use, Masilla, it works great! Allow to dry for 2 hours.

Step 3: Sand excess putty

Using 400-600 grade sand paper, remove any excess putty leaving a flat, relatively smooth surface.  Clean and dry prior to next step.

Step 4: Prime

Prime part using numerous light coats of primer. Allow 30 minutes between coats.

Step 5: Final Sand

Once the part is fully primed, sand using 800 grade, clean and dry and sand again using 1000 grade. Finally repeat the process with 1500 grade. Clean and dry and the part should be perfectly smooth ready for painting.

Step 6: Paint!