Category Archives: sensors

automatic vent shutoffs with arduino (ish)

Posted on September 8, 2014 by robertwilkie

A father/daughter team basically built a system that is like NEST but for your heat vents.  So it will shut off/open vents as needed, thus saving the costs of heating/cooling your entire house.  Its using some arduino like clone for … Continue reading →

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Using a pressure sensor on an arduino

Posted on August 13, 2014 by robertwilkie

Actually a pcduino, but this could apply to regular arduinos.  Its a write-up and sample code on how to use a basic pressure sensor.  Worth looking at if you are starting out with the stuff. http://www.instructables.com/id/Use-pressure-sensor-on-pcduino/

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Poor man’s 3D scanner

Posted on June 3, 2014 by robertwilkie

I had to laugh at this one, the author converted a bike wheel to spin the image around while the camera takes pictures.  Good idea, and simple (thought I would put a motor on the wheel and tie the camera … Continue reading →

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Simple garage door open signal

Posted on May 22, 2014 by robertwilkie

I like this project mostly cause the light indicator is built into the light switch panel, hiding the electronics.  Now I don’t think I would include the buzzer, that would just be too annoying.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZqPcMN7284 http://www.instructables.com/id/Smart-Garage-Door-Open-Indicator/

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Text messaging sump pump alert

Posted on March 24, 2014 by robertwilkie

I like this solution, thought I am not so sure I would dedicate a RPi to it.  The author basically uses a 9-volt battery connector to test if the water has gone up too high (it shorts the connection).  And … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, RaspberryPi, sensors | Comments Off on Text messaging sump pump alert

Interesting wireless Proximity Sensor

Posted on December 4, 2013 by robertwilkie

Interesting prox sensor build.  It uses an atiny, prox sensor, and RFM12B RF transmitter for the build.  The article figures the cost for each one to be around $15.  How I don’t know (atiny board $10, transmitter $5, sensor $3, … Continue reading →

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Heat Gun + arduino + 2 motors = Thermal Imaging Camera

Posted on December 3, 2013 by robertwilkie

Looks like for $100 in parts the author build a thermal imaging camera.  Its slow since it has too scan each x/y area, but it does the job. http://hackaday.com/2013/12/01/diy-thermal-imaging-camera/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hackaday%2FLgoM+%28Hack+a+Day%29 http://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/diy-scanning-thermal-camera/

Posted in Cheap, sensors, Tinkering | Comments Off on Heat Gun + arduino + 2 motors = Thermal Imaging Camera

Nuts, I sponsored another kickstarter like project

Posted on December 3, 2013 by robertwilkie

Its a bluetooth arduino for 20-25 dollars with low power consumption.  It sounds promising. and for the cheap price (cheaper than some arduino bluetooth shields) its worth a shot.  Oh its more of an ATiny though. https://launch.punchthrough.com/

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DIY Laser Tripwire Alarm

Posted on November 13, 2013 by robertwilkie

Interesting build.  I don’t think I would do it (seems like it would be pretty costly). http://makezine.com/video/diy-hacks-how-tos-laser-tripwire-alarm/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=%24{feed}&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+%24{makezineonline}+%28%24{MAKE}%29&utm_content=%24{GoogleReader}

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build a dog repellent for your couch

Posted on October 28, 2013 by robertwilkie

Good write-up on basically building an alarm for furniture to keep dogs off of it via noise (or vibrate at night).  The author uses a Picaxe for the processor, but this could be easily adapted to arduino. http://www.instructables.com/id/Dog-get-off-the-couch/

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