Introduction: Distinguishing Pet Bowl
This pet bowl opens when the animal with the receiver approaches it and stays closed for all other animals.
Step 1: Circuitry Used
I was asked to make a "special" pet bowl by a friend. She has two cats. one is over weight and eats anything left out and the other is too thin and would eat more if the food was available all the time. So, I made a bowl that will only open for the skinny cat.
This is a luggage alarm. You're supposed to put the little fob in your luggage and keep the big receiver. The receiver will vibrate and beep if your luggage gets a certain distance away from you
Step 2: Circuity Used
Since this system uses about an amp it needs to be plugged in instead of battery use. So, there's a 6V regulator. Two SPDT relays are also used as seen in the diagram.
And, since batteries aren't used it's a perfect spot to put the luggage receiver so I can get tothe sensitvity adjustmen without taking the bowl apart.
Step 3: Schematic
24 Comments
Question 5 years ago
Do you have any updates for this hack. Maybe make it more appealing looking. Those wires are just waiting to be chewed on.
5 years ago
Do you have a patent on it?
7 years ago
Brilliant! How about putting the un-modified bowl on something tall so the fat cat can't get to it and has motivation to keep exercising? HAHA
11 years ago on Introduction
Nice! I was about to start one of these with rfid when I came across this one. How do you find the tag, does it still work if it gets wet? That was my main reason for wanting rfid as well as the fact there easy to replace if they get lost. Does anyone know how these luggage alarms work, does each unit have a unique code or frequency?
I see there's 2 relays in there, are they 5v? Are they set to normally open or normally closed?
Sorry I'm new to all this so I'm probably missing something, but why do we need the dc regulator, the bowl is powered by 6v dc (4 AA battery's) and the dc regulator is outputting 6v dc?
11 years ago on Step 3
How long do the batteries last in the little tag?
12 years ago on Introduction
Hi - great project. Is there an easy way to reverse the effect? meaning, have the dish close when the sensor gets close? And did the luggage alarm allow you to change the distance to which the lid triggered? Thanks!
12 years ago on Introduction
Has anyone got this to work? I have followed the instructions, using the same type if luggage finders and have no luck.
Please help.
13 years ago on Introduction
I have three cats, one seems to be eating everything and gaining to much weight. I would need to make three of these, if I use the lugggage alarm will they all read the same? Can an RFID kit be used instead?
14 years ago on Introduction
Can the lid be forced open or lifted manually? My kittie is to smart forher own good. She opens all the doors in our house. Luckily except thefront door. But only because she cant do the dead bolt lol. She evenopens the door into the garage, waits for the other animals to go in,then cries at the door so someone notices its open. Then the humancloses it locking her poor victim in the garage. Luckily we've learnedher schemes.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Yes! They *can* be forced open. Thankfully, our "smart" cat is the one who has access. We're hoping the other one doesn't figure it out!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
how does your cat open the doors? are they handeled doors, or knobs?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Most are handled doors but once in a while she does get lucky with the knobs. but never got to see how she does it lol. she guards her secret of the knobs well.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
if the cat is getting into places you dont want it to, i bet if you get some of those 3 year old-prevention knob covers, i bet the cat wont be able to go places it its not wanted
14 years ago on Introduction
Would like to know what are the markings on the the wire that is negative when lid is closed, and what are the markings on the hot wire. On the luggage alarm is the positive motor/vibrator buzzer lead the only wire on the circuit board
14 years ago on Introduction
Question. All the luggage alarm receivers I have found, including the one you have in step 1, operate on one "AAA" battery. That's 1.5 volts. Your schematic has the alarm receiver hooked up to 6 volts. Won't that smoke it?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
You are correct. The one I used also takes one AAA battery. Just hook it up to 6V and it will be fine. It has a built in "step up regulator" that takes whatever voltage is applied and makes it into 6V. Pretty much anything that only takes one battery does this.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for the info. I'm going to build one of these for my daughter. Any idea where I can get a schematic for the bowl and the luggage alarm? Having these would make building a LOT easier! Thanks again DENNIS
14 years ago on Introduction
what if that one cant was near the bowl and it opens and another cat drinks from it
14 years ago on Introduction
Hi Peter -- Did your thin cat ever become comfortable with this new dish? Our cats are initially freaked out by the sound of the lid opening/closing, but am hoping this is something they will become accustomed to? Getting ready to start the electronics hacking, but figured I would wait until I'm sure the thin cat will actually use the dish!
14 years ago on Introduction
Hey -- very clever! Thanks for this! I have been trying to come up with an easy way to build a selective pet feeder for some time now (same issue -- we have one fat cat and one very slow, picky eater), and this looks perfect. I will give it a go, and let you know how it turns out...