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Step 2Gather Materials
Here's the list of things you'll need:
1. DB9 Female DSUB Solder Connector
This should plug into the serial port on your computer. There are a number of different types of these connectors but the cheap variety that you can get at your local electronics store should be sufficient. They even make non solder varieties if you want (but I would recommend just learning how to solder).
2. Magnetic Contact Switch
The easiest way to get one of these is to use one that's meant for windows in a home security system. It is important to get one that is "normally closed" so that when you bring a magnet nearby it "closes" and allows current to flow between the screws. Note that they have versions that do both "normally closed" and "normally open" (as mine below) which will have three screws.
Please don't take one off your house. In general I found I had to go to an electronics store like Fry's Electronics to find these. They didn't have them at the Home Depot I checked. These are also available online at http://www.smarthome.com/7113.html.
3. Magnets
You'll need a magnet to set off the contact switch every time the wheel goes around. Two magnets are ideal since you can put them on other side of the wheel and secure them without any glue or tape (better for the hamster). I used hard drive magnets because they're strong (neodymium rare earth metal magnets) and I happened to have a few laying around.
4. Switch Mounting Supplies
I used zip ties a pen (with the ink removed of course) and hot glue to fasten the switch securly and out of reach of the hamster. More details on this in later steps.
1. DB9 Female DSUB Solder Connector
This should plug into the serial port on your computer. There are a number of different types of these connectors but the cheap variety that you can get at your local electronics store should be sufficient. They even make non solder varieties if you want (but I would recommend just learning how to solder).
2. Magnetic Contact Switch
The easiest way to get one of these is to use one that's meant for windows in a home security system. It is important to get one that is "normally closed" so that when you bring a magnet nearby it "closes" and allows current to flow between the screws. Note that they have versions that do both "normally closed" and "normally open" (as mine below) which will have three screws.
Please don't take one off your house. In general I found I had to go to an electronics store like Fry's Electronics to find these. They didn't have them at the Home Depot I checked. These are also available online at http://www.smarthome.com/7113.html.
3. Magnets
You'll need a magnet to set off the contact switch every time the wheel goes around. Two magnets are ideal since you can put them on other side of the wheel and secure them without any glue or tape (better for the hamster). I used hard drive magnets because they're strong (neodymium rare earth metal magnets) and I happened to have a few laying around.
4. Switch Mounting Supplies
I used zip ties a pen (with the ink removed of course) and hot glue to fasten the switch securly and out of reach of the hamster. More details on this in later steps.
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Jul 29, 2010. 4:47 PMharry88
says:
could the magnets kill your hamster
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Mar 25, 2011. 12:36 PMsbreed
says:
No, magnets will not hurt a hamster. The fields used for MRI use magnetic fields that are much larger, and are used routinely in hospitals.
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2
Feb 6, 2011. 9:29 AMsci4me
says:
that makes me wonder about this project... hmm...
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