Automatic Window Blinds Controller (PICAXE)

Step 6 Drill Holes In The Project Box

You will need to drill several holes in the project box for the various wires to go through. You will need a hole on the bottom of the box for the two wires that go to the motor. Another hole on one end will be used to mount the 3.5mm Stereo Jack. You will need another hole on top of the box near one end for the for the battery snap wires. Yet another hole will be needed on the back of the box near the bottom for the LDR. I drill my holes by spinning and pushing an exacto knife through the project box with my fingers. The plastic is very easy to drill using this method. Every time I have tried using an electric drill the bit hung in the plastic and nearly tore my fingers off. I usually finish the holes with rubber grommets to make them look a little neater.

Put the wires through their respective holes in the project box and solder them to their proper place on the proto board.

NOTE: Don't solder the motor wires to until you have everything else installed and ready to go. Just use jumpers to connect the motor to the controller during the testing and tweaking steps. This will make it easier to reverse the motor wires if the motor runs the wrong direction and tries to open the blinds when it should be closing them.