Category Archives: sensors

Cheap Thermal Camera with RPi

Posted on March 14, 2019 by robertwilkie

Rather simple build once the author figured out how to get the RPi to talk to the camera. The camera is a MLX90640 made by Melexis. but you want the one with a controller board GY-MCU90640. Which runs for $80. … Continue reading →

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Interesting distance sensor build to wake up a system

Posted on April 23, 2018 by robertwilkie

Author built a simple distance sensor system to wake up another device is something got close enough. http://www.instructables.com/id/IOT123-SR04-DISTANCE-TRIGGER-BRICK/

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Another switch with a clothspin

Posted on July 5, 2017 by robertwilkie

Seen these before, but this one is a bit different as its used in a water alarm, where the asprin disolves it will close the circuit and trigger an alarm. https://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-High-Water-Alarm/

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Make a water alarm system

Posted on September 20, 2016 by robertwilkie

Not too fond of the music in the build video.  But interesting build for a large flood area.  Like you are overfilling your pool or tub.  Cheap build too. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Water-Alarm-System-DIY-Project-5/

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Interesting build for a remote pool temperature monitor

Posted on September 20, 2016 by robertwilkie

Its a cheap build too.  Using an ESP8266 (these have been showing up in alot of projects lately).  The build itself is pretty simple but I wonder if the sensor should be somewhere else in the pool instead of inline … Continue reading →

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OpenGarage…interesting, but how secure?

Posted on March 18, 2016 by robertwilkie

Interesting project.  But…not so sure how secure it is.  Its using Blynk for the Phone App. http://rayshobby.net/introducing-opengarage/

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Simple vibration sensor

Posted on March 11, 2016 by robertwilkie

This is on my list to do.  A simple circuit where the “vibration will move the wired spring to touch the resistor.  Thus closing the circuit (triggering an event).  Pretty simple build and easier to do than using other sensors. … Continue reading →

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Heck look, folks still using the Wink

Posted on January 11, 2016 by robertwilkie

I was worried they died off.  Anyways, looks like someone has started on opensource project to replace existing Wink Firmware with something more open.  This is nice cause Wink has several different antennas on it so it could support many … Continue reading →

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Use a small CD Motor for Rotary Input

Posted on November 12, 2015 by robertwilkie

As the author points out, light based encoders work but they are not cheap (think $20 each).  So an alternative is to take an cheap small DC motor an voltage divider and the analog input on an arduino to determine … Continue reading →

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Tutorial on the NRF24L01 2.4 Ghz transmitter

Posted on July 14, 2015 by robertwilkie

I wanted to bookmark this write-up cause these boards are cheap, and a good way to add wireless comm’s to an arduino project.  BUT…not alot of good info out there about them. http://www.instructables.com/id/Wireless-Remote-Using-24-Ghz-NRF24L01-Simple-Tutor/

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