Daniel Andrade, on his website, has discussed how to program a binary clock with limited equipment in the easiest manner. To make this device, he has only used Arduino, LEDs, resistors, breadboard and buttons. The circuit is also quite simple and he has explained its working and the process of assembling them through videos and diagrams.The LEDs placed on the breadboard, which is on, are needed to sum together and then it will give the current time. In order to assemble the circuit, firstly the resistors and LEDs are connected together, and then both of them are hooked together from the pin 1 to 13. As the bigger leg of the LED is positive, it is connected to Arduino output pin while the other leg remains on the ground.
Building Affordable Photodiode Spectrometer
With a goal to develop an inexpensive spectrometer, bhickman on his website has designed and explained the process of making an affordable spectrometer. The resolution of the same is comparable to lower end commercially available spectrometers. Further, approximately 0.6 nm wavelength resolution is being provided by the current design and around 12-bit intensity resolution.Generally, spectrometer should operate in the 400-900 nm wavelength range but to get the exact wavelengths, some changes are needed because of the discrepancies between the theoretical and actual design. Hence, a halogen bulb has been used as the light source and the design is accordingly modified to handle the heat generated. Further, some thoughts are required to find the way to eliminate higher order light interference.
Pi Juice for Portable Pi Projects
The history of Raspberry Pi dates back to 2012 when the need for the hardware and physical computing capability along with the ability to write code to do things in real life became a reality. It provides a platform for invention and connects people worldwide. With yet another advancement, Aaron Shaw in a blog has discussed the role played by pi juice and how it can be used as portable power for the pi projects.The idea of creating this project was the difficulty in developing portable or remote projects. With this Pi juice, a single platform is opened to make a safe and portable power solution for the Raspberry Pi, which not only allows people to experience exciting things with their Pi but also saves a lot of time and effort in the process.
Designing Weatherproof Raspberry Pi Camera Case
If you are worried about your backyard because you want to protect your freshly sprouted seeds from animals, then Tinkerer can help you to militarize your backyard. They have been involved in developing a Raspberry Pi based Squirrel recognition device, where they programmed Raspberry Pi A+ with OpenCV that results in capturing the face of any person trespassing the backyard in the mail.After failing in an attempt to find a suitable Pi case in the market, which is not only compact but also weatherproof and has elegant look, they decided to design a compact case to monitor the backyard garden and get alerts. They designed a rough sketch accordingly and gained some information about designing plastic parts from tutorials on YouTube.
Re-using ADM3A with Raspberry Pi
ADM3A is a dumb terminal with discreet logic chips and no major integrated circuits. In this post, an anonymous blogger has made an attempt to put this terminal online to snag a picture of it on retro.hackaday.com but unfortunately, it didn’t work out. After sneaking parsley to the parts of this device, he discovered that a big clunking mechanical power switch has failed to work. The 37-year-old electronics switch had gotten dirty and corroded, therefore, he cleaned it out and luckily, now it is working again.He made MAX232 serial adapter for a raspberry pi and then hooked the Pi up to the terminal. The adopted serial adapter here is just a typical MAX232 circuit and one can purchase them online. After figuring out that the header for the Pi can be put right on the board to replace the headache of making an adapter cable, he concentrated to hook up the tx and rx lines.
DIY Palm Arduino kit
There are times, when you stay away from your projects and if you get some idea of prototyping, nothing could be done as your Arduino stuffs are not available at hand. In such case, you miss out some important ideas or techniques. This article by Do-It-Yourself, aims to solve your problem.To avoid missing important derivatives, you can carry a Palm Arduino Kit, which includes a DIY palm size Arduino compatible board, a mini breadboard, a DIY 5V Portable Voltage Regulator, a MOD FTDI cable, a MOD 2″ Long Antistatic IC Container and a Plastic Box to adjust all of the above.
Building Arduino based LED dice
The advantage of having a techie at home is a blessing in disguise, especially when we get stuck with electric mishaps. Whether it’s a special occasion or an effort to introduce something innovative in the house, they are always at the rescue. This article by Brandon Cannaday, has aimed to make an LED dice roller using an Arduino. Inspired from the game of monopoly, where dice rolling is a pretty integral part of the game, has made the game more interesting and also provided an opportunity to bring together your friends and family to play a game. The amended dice is made up of seven LEDs, a button, and an Arduino Uno and when a button is pushed, the dice automatically “rolls” for a while and then lands on a random number.
Arduino based Logo Version 1.3 Flame Detector Module
One of the Henry’s Bench tutorial has tried to explain the characteristics of the Logo Version 1.3 Flame Detector module. It represents all those similar devices which are specially designed to interface with microcontrollers. The device also consists of op-amp circuitry, an IR detector, an LED indicator, and sensitivity adjustment.The most important portion is the IR detector, which is sensitive to light wavelengths and hence typical of flames. It means that when a flame is presented, the red LED of the module is turned on and its output low is accordingly set.
Creating Arduino Based Capacitive Switches
Among various experiments, Davies-Barnard, in one of his blogs, has dealt in Arduino Capacitive Switches, where he has used his first outside library to add Capacitive Sensing to the Arduino. In this project, the technique used is same as by most of the modern touch screen like the iPad and iPhone and is demonstrated on YouTube.The project starts with installing the CapSense library, which can be downloaded from the playground. Make sure to place them into a folder called libraries inside your Arduino Sketchbook as one need to restart the Arduino IDE. Once downloaded, open up your ongoing project is and then use the sketch.
Connecting RF24Networkand Wireless Sensor Network
Maniacbug, in their blog, have tried to establish a connection between RF24Network and wireless sensor networking by managing different nodes running on a single network. From building RF24Network-compatible hardware to assembling voltage and temperature sensors for deploying the result is the part of this project. RF24Network is a series of network layer that runs on Arduino-compatible hardware for Nordic nRF24L01+ radios. Its objective is to work as an alternative to Xbee radios, which is helpful in communication between Arduino units.
DIY Gatorade Bottle
John Keefe, in his blog, has discussed a conductivity and temperature sensor, which text data from inside a Gatorade bottle.This gadget comprises of Riffle, a Fona cell-phone board, and a bottle. Riffle is an Arduino-like board, majorly designed to fit through the mouth of a water bottle. The plan is to deploy some sensors in the river.One of its major component, Riffle, is the brain of this project and closely resembles the brain of an Arduino Uno. Hence, all adjustments are done with a standard Uno except for the fitting this in a bottle. It is fitted out with a USB port and is used for uploading code just like with an Arduino. A Mac laptop users cannot detect it on the USB port and therefore special drivers need to be installed for the USB chip Riffle uses.
DIY Arduino Based Mobile Phone
If you are bored with same monotonous android phones and iPhone, then you have got an option to build a new Arduino mobile phone. The add-on feature of the Arduino that is the GSM Shield can actually make it very easy to build a mobile phone. Further, it is also data equipped with a Telefonica SIM which is included in the package.For a powerful embedded processor, Arduino is comparatively easy to use. As it contains many I/O, it can also be used to instrument all sort of custom programmable hardware devices. Now, with new add on feature, it is easy to add GSM Shield.
DIY Arduino Based Garduino Phone
Gardening is fascinating but it requires proper attention at regular basis. But, continuous work pressure and other distractions, destroys our intention to have healthy and beautiful backyard. We tend to be negligent, when we are asked to perform our duty to those living objects and unfortunately, they generally counts last in our “to do” list. Jarod Reyes, in his blog, has found an innovative way to take care of your plants. His endeavor resulted in little “Garduino Phone”, which was put inside to an old rotary telephone.
Measure PWM Current with a Modified Moving Average
As a techie, we do understand the role of Pulse with modulation (PWM) in our daily life as well as in scientific life. From controlling lights to setting speed of motors to the advanced generation of analog reference voltages, their usage is diverse but accompanies a special challenge while measuring the voltage or current of a PWM signal. James Lewis, through this tutorial, has perfectly explained how to measure PWM current with a modified moving average (MMA) while including INA219 current sensor on the LED power supply. The current sensor used in this project is fast and precise and works by measuring the voltage drop across a precision shunt resistor that the load current flows through.
How to make a Mini Raspberry Pi Handheld Notebook
Adafruit has introduced a Raspberry Pi notebook, where a 3D Printed enclosure fits the Pi 2 and a 3.5” PiTFT into a small retro mini laptop. The tinyChiclet keyboard is wireless and characterizes a track pad as well as touch screen on the PiTFT. Further, the device is rechargeable through the Power Boost 1000C and the 2000mAh battery adjusts between the screen and the Raspberry Pi. Additionally, 3D Printed pivots to the enclosure, which makes this as a tiny portable computer.The device can be used for observing and controlling prints, inspecting the webcams, streaming music or even play text adventures games like Zork. The equipment required for this project are Power boost 1000C, Mini Metal Speaker, Raspberry Pi 2, 3.5″ PiTFT, Miniature Keyboard, 3D Printer, Filament, etc.
DIY Motion Deactivated Loading Wheel
Instructables, in this tutorial, has made a cool wearable device that activate lights when you stop moving and assoon as you move, the lights turn off. So basically, this project brings Loading Wheel to real-life. For this project, all you need is access to a laser cutter, Acrylic Clear, 1/8 “Acrylic Black, NeoPixel Ring from Adafruit, or individually addressable RGB LED, Accelerometer, analog, Gemma or any small Micro controller with at least 1 Digital Pin and 1 Analog Pin, Small Lipo Battery and some wires and screws.Here the front Disk acts as Black Arctic and for light diffuser, 1/4″ Clear Acrylic is required and same for neopixel Ring Holder. For Electronic Housing, we need two 1/4” Clear Acrylic and for Back Cover, a Black Arctic is required. Assure that the NeoPixel Ring fits tightly. Now, take a sandpaper or a sandblaster to blast the surface of light diffuser.
The DIY Judd Treat Machine
The Judd Treat Machine from the NYC CNC Machining & Prototype Shop is a Raspberry Pi based dog-treat-dispensing machine that let people to remotely allot doggie treats from anywhere with an internet connection. It dishes out the goodies whenever the pet gets an email. This do-it-yourself device is similar to the Pintofeed remote pet feeder, where the pet owners were able to feed their pet via smartphone. Further, it’s a combination of various skillsets like CAD, machining, fabrication, powder coating, Raspberry Pi, electrical engineering and programming. The device is named after the inventor’s dog name. Whenever Judd receives an email, he becomes a recipient of the goodies dispensed by the machine.
DIY Glowing 3D Printed Buttons
If you want to make spark buttons for your apparel, then you can add these Adafruit 3D printed NeoPixel coat buttons for better visibility at night. All you need is Gemma, NeoPixels, conductive thread, scissors, and other simple tools. You can also customize your buttons design in Autodesk’s 123D Design in whatever pattern you want. The desktop app can be downloaded for free from Autodesk. The downloaded file contains parts that have built up the design and can be changed esp. Base Shell, Base Bottom, Cover Shell and Cover Bottom can be resized.Adafruit has used coat buttons of diameter 25mm. The front of the coat has a cover piece while the base piece is 2mm smaller than the cover piece. The size can be changed depending on the needs and the parts are to be combined and subtracted. In the end, you will be left with two pieces which are arranged perpendicularly. It is saved as a copy in the computer and Export STL.
DIY Solar Charging Handbag
Charging your gadgets now and then because of drained battery especially when you are not at home or office, is a problem faced by almost all of us. To solve this problem, Adafruit has come out another tutorial showing how to make a solar battery charger first and then attaching it to your handbag or backpack.This soldering project can be really helpful for your weekend plan, where you can simultaneously charge your battery under the sun and also enjoy your trip or take photos without any pressure of draining battery. The equipment required for this project are USB/DC/Solar Lithium Ion/Polymer charger kit, MintyBoost kit, Altoids mints sized tin, A large solar panel or a medium solar panel, A large lithium polymer battery or a smaller one, 2.1mm DC Barrel Plug, Double sided tape, Adhesive Velcro tape and A sturdy handbag or backpack.
DIY Solar Battery
Adafruit has come out with an updated version of solar charging handbag to solar battery charger in the form of a backup, where the battery is rechargeable with the sun.The previous handbag project had attached solar battery but this project provides you a battery as a backup that can be carried anywhere.It is suggested to read the following two links for better understanding of this project -USB, DC & Solar Lipoly Charger and Adafruit Power Boost 500 Basic. The equipment required for this project are USB/DC/Solar Lithium Ion/Polymer charger kit, Power Boost 500 Basic, 3D printer with filament, A large solar panel or a medium solar panel, 2000mAh lithium polymer battery, 2.1mm DC Barrel Plug, slide switch, A sturdy handbag or backpack, soldering tools and supplies and #4-40 3/8 flat Phillips machine screws.