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- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
Sorry, Paul, but nothing comes to mind- will let you know if I have any ideasdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster Chimes
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
There may be a problem when using the newer IDE versionSee if you can find IDE version 1.8.13 and try thatGood luck!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Arduino WiFi Set Clock With Analog HandsView Instructable »
That is good information - thanks!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Thunder & Lightning AnimationView Instructable »
Try changing the "0" to a "1" in the last line of this DO loopchange: do { buttn = digitalRead(buttonPin); // pins closest to power pins } while (buttn == 0); to: do { buttn = digitalRead(buttonPin); // pins closest to power pins } while (buttn == 1);
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Thunder & Lightning Animation
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
Witold - I just took a quick look at the code (haven't touched it in many moons!) and believe you would make a change in the getTime() routine - I don't have time right now to experiment and test but I am sure you can figure it out - that is part of the fun!enjoy & good luck!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
That is great news! Well doneAs to rotating digits, I didn't see anything obvious in the code - sorry, but you may need to do some experimention to find the trick within the code.Good hunting!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
Interesting problem - I just tried to compile the code and got the same error - there must be some change in the libraries or board setup ----I changed this linelong epoch = round(curEpoch + 3600 * (utcOffset + summerTime) + 86400L) % 86400L;into these two lines and it compileslong epoch = round(curEpoch + 3600 * (utcOffset + summerTime) + 86400L);epoch = epoch % 86400L;That got it to compile - hopefully it still does the correct time!Let me know if that helps you outdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Thunder & Lightning AnimationView Instructable »
That is great news, Orlando - I am please that you enjoyed it ! ! !Thanks for taking the time to let us know.dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Alexa Controlled ServoView Instructable »
I didn't know that would work but it makes sense - I could have set the laptop to never blank the screen, too, but wanted it to sleep when I wasn't in my office.thanks for the infodave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Thunder & Lightning AnimationView Instructable »
Thanks for the tip. Will check it out. Dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Alexa Controlled ServoView Instructable »
As I noted all I had to do was say "Alexa discover devices" and "keyboard" was found - not sure what may up with your implementation.Keep at it and I am sure you will get it!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Thunder & Lightning AnimationView Instructable »
That is super news - thanks for letting me knowdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Thunder & Lightning AnimationView Instructable »
That is certainly worth a try - good luck!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Thunder & Lightning Animation
Not sure what the issue may be - have you checked pin # 12 to see if it is going on/off with the sound? You can check that with an oscilloscope, a logic probe or even a volt meter.Also, have you pulled pin 12 high to see if that lights the LEDs?dave
View Instructable »If you disconnect pin 12 from the Arduino and connect it to +5 volts the LEDs should lightdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Thunder & Lightning AnimationView Instructable »
Good day - I believe that you could interface the ultrasonic sensor as you describe. There are sure to be samples on the Internet that can help.I will leave the actual coding and hardware changes to you as I do not have time to devote to your ideas right now.Good luck and have fun!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Thunder & Lightning AnimationView Instructable »
I believe you have it right - the source goes to ground, the drain to the LED and the gate to the Arduinodave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Thunder & Lightning AnimationView Instructable »
Joe - the only thing that I can think of is that you have not installed the library - The only library ( #include ) that is used can be downloaded here: https://github.com/DFRobot/DFPlayer-Mini-mp3/blob...If you have not give that a try.If you are not familar with adding libraries just Google arduino library install for helpGood luck!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable An Inexpensive Smoke / Fog GeneratorView Instructable »
All but the very bottom of the heating unit needs to be exposed. Only the small holes or wick (depending on the vendor design) needs to be in contact with the juice.dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
That is all good information, Don - thanks for passing it along.I have not seen an issue with the A0 pin but it would be wise to keep it down to 3.2 volts - thanks!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
Sorry, Don, but I have not had the problem you describe - I have not tried using the D1Mini lite.dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
Take a look under Step 6 Arduino Code above.... If that is not what you are looking for let me knowdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
Interesting code - thanks for sharing!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
That is good to hear - please let us know when you post the instructionsthanksdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Alexa Controlled ServoView Instructable »
This Instructablehttps://www.instructables.com/Wemos-ESP8266-Get...should help with the libraries - if you have never installed libraries with the Arduino see:https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Libraries Hope that helpsdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Alexa Controlled ServoView Instructable »
That is great news - thanks for letting me knowdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Alexa Controlled ServoView Instructable »
Sorry for any confusion - to use the files first download the ZIP file and extract it to some convenient place on your PCYou should see a set of files that looks like the attached photoWhen you open the Wemos-Servo-keyboard.inofile you should see the associated files displayed at the top as tapshope that helpsdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
I do not have a good solution, Umberto - for now I just changed the value of SummerTime and uploaded the software - there is talk about going to DST year round so the issue may not be around much longerLet me know if you have a better solutionthanksdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
Thanks for the code, Umberto - I'll give it a try.dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
Umberto - you may be right about the code you found - I am not the author of that set of routines as I used code that I found on YouTube. If you come up with a fix please let me know.thanksdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Alexa Controlled ServoView Instructable »
Nothing comes to mind that could be causing the problem - does the same thing happen if you use the original code without your ON/OFF & push button?dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
That is excellent, Umberto - Thanks for posting a photo of your projectenjoy!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Alexa Controlled ServoView Instructable »
No particular reason - the sketch should work on any of the other GPIO pinsdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Arduino WiFi Set Clock With Analog HandsView Instructable »
It is good to hear that you enjoyed the project, Umberto - The reference to pin A2 and 12 can be ignored as this is left over code that is no longer needed - I just commented it out with the "//" symbol.It should compile and work just as I have it.You can also see the same project on my web page herehttp://www.trainelectronics.com/Arduino/Clock_step...enjoy!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Arduino WiFi Set Clock With Analog Hands
Please let me know how it goes - thanks!dave
View Instructable »Nice software solution, Peter - thanks!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Arduino WiFi Set Clock With Analog Hands
Jon - it is good to hear that you enjoyed the project- it was great fun putting it together (lots of work, too!)dave
Nicely done - I like the 12 LED disk for hours & Star Wars is a great ideathanksdave
I do own a laser cutter (two, actually) and find it to be one of the best investments that I have ever made - love the speed and accuracy.dave
View Instructable »That certainly could be done but the stepper motors that I used are very low on torque and running both hands from one motor might have caused issues.dave
- davebodnar's instructable Arduino WiFi Set Clock With Analog Hands's weekly stats:
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Alexa Controlled ServoView Instructable »
Absolutely, but no where near as much fun!dave
- davebodnar entered Alexa Controlled Servo in the Arduino Contest 2017 contest
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
Sorry, but I did not design the routines that generate the fonts - As with many Arduino projects I used the work of others to help to develop my design.I did a Google search and found this link that may helphttps://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=110227.0Good luck!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
That is wonderful news - great job adding the temperature function.Thanks for letting me know that it worked well for youdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
The symbol that points down (an arrow or triangle) indicates a connection to ground (the negative terminal of the power supply) - so, you connect all such symbols together then to minus power.dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
That is a common error - I have done it myself!Great news that you have things working - enjoy!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
That is good news - let me know if you get the DFPlayer workingenjoy!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
I am using IDE version 1.8.4The ESP8266 version is 2.3.0 I added a link to the DFPlayer library I am using herehttp://www.trainelectronics.com/Arduino/LED_Matrix...Let me know how it goes dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster Chimes
Try connecting an LED to the TX pin and ground (with a 1000 ohm resistor in series with the LED) and see if it blinks when it is supposed to be sending data - That is if you don't have an oscilloscope or logic analyzer!dave
View Instructable »First I would check to see if you have power to the DFPlayer (check voltage between VCC and GND) -It is also easy to have the DFPlayer installed backwards - the notch in the player is between VCC and BUSYAlso, check the sound files - they must be in a subdirectory on the SD card called mp3 I would also try a different SD cardHope that helpsdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
Loren - sorry to hear that you are having issues with the DFPlayer - I put a link to the DFPlayer library that I am using on my web page herehttp://www.trainelectronics.com/Arduino/LED_Matrix...It is a ZIP file - give it a try and see if that helpsGood luck!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Fidget Spinner to Brushless MotorView Instructable »
I responded to this earlier but it must have gotten lost in the Ether!First of all, good deal on making the motor!Things that you can try to change the speed:1. Use a higher voltage - take care not to get the coil too hot2. Use stronger magnets3. Use more wire in the coil4. Move the coil closer to the magnets5. make sure there is no binding or wobbling in the spinner6. Get a spinner with better bearings.Let us know how it goes!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster Chimes
Ruddy - I agree that the sound files are not wonderful - if you (or anyone) finds a better set of sounds please let us know.thanksdave
View Instructable »Good plan to start simple - there are a number of examples (Click File / Examples and look for Examples for Wemos) that you can try first.Good luck experimenting!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster Chimes
Hello (another) Dave - Not sure what may be up with your installation - have you added the ESP8266 support ( See: https://www.instructables.com/Programming-the-W...Have you selected the "Wemos D1 R2 & mini" under boards?Do you have all three files (that are in the ZIP file) to the program folder?I just loaded the file and compiled it with IDE version 1.8.4 without errors.dave
View Instructable »I just double checked and there is an error in the schematic - the TX pin on the Wemos goes to the RX pin on the DFPlayer through a 1K resistor. I'll change the schematic to reflect this. Thanks for the good eyes - I am not sure how that got in there! dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable WiFi Connected Clock With Westminster ChimesView Instructable »
Gertjan- Something else may be going on with your system as those are the libraries that I have been using and they do compile - what kind of error are you getting?dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Fidget Spinner to Brushless Motor
Your project and video are SUPER! Thanks for letting us know of your adaptation. Keep up the good work!thanksdave
View Instructable »I just checked out your web page, too.http://wvs-k.weebly.com/fidget-spinner.htmlAlso very well done.... Thanks!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Making a Moving, Wirelessly Controlled LED DisplayView Instructable »
That is terrific news, Oliver - thanks for taking the time to let us know that it worked for you.Do you plan on a G-scale installation?thanks againdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Making a Moving, Wirelessly Controlled LED DisplayView Instructable »
David - you could use DCC to deliver new messages but it would require some custom programming as there is nothing in the DCC specification that supports sending text strings. I have been experimenting with an open source DCC system that runs on an Arduino - it is called DCC++ and can be seen herehttps://sites.google.com/site/dccppsite/dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Making a Moving, Wirelessly Controlled LED Display
A good find - you can also find such power pickup trucks that are meant for lighted passenger cars.thanksdave
View Instructable »I considered writing my own app but the Bluetooth Serial app does such a nice job and spares users from downloading yet another custom app that I decided to go with that method of message programming.thanksdave
- davebodnar followed Andreas Spiess
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Fidget Spinner to Brushless MotorView Instructable »
I have never heard that expression - thanks for the infodave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Fidget Spinner to Brushless Motor
Thanks, Yoda!dave
View Instructable »Good day - I did not 3D print any of the parts - several of the supports were done with a laser cutter but could just as easily be cut from acrylic or wood with a hand saw and a drill.The parts that I used are described in detail within the Instructable - you should be able to easily identify what you need.Please let us know how your experiments go with the spinner!thanksdave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Fidget Spinner to Brushless Motor
I suppose that doing useful work could be one definition of "motor" but this is what is generally referred to as a demonstration motor - If you want it to do "work" you could add a turbine or vanes to the spinner and make it a fan!Hope that makes sensedave
View Instructable »What a wonderful comment, ,Mike - you are quite welcome & I bet you would have had in my science classes, too!enjoydave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Fidget Spinner to Brushless MotorView Instructable »
That is wonderful! I appreciate your taking the time to show us what you have done and how you used it with your daughter.Keep up the good work!thanks!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Fidget Spinner to Brushless MotorView Instructable »
Jimmy - those two resistors pull the terminals they are connected to a high state (5-12 volts). If they are omitted the terminals would stay low (pulled to ground) even when turned off.dave
- davebodnar's instructable Fidget Spinner to Brushless Motor's weekly stats:
- davebodnar commented on tanner_tech's instructable Electromagnetic Fidget Spinner AcceleratorView Instructable »
GeraldoG6 - FYI, I posted a similar Instructable last week that has options for a physical switch, reed switch, Hall sensor and phototransistor sensor - have a look here:https://www.instructables.com/Fidget-Spinner-to-Brushless-Motor/dave
- davebodnar commented on La Fabrique DIY's instructable The Binary Clock - the City ClockView Instructable »
Nice project! Do you have the code and laser cutter plans available?thanks!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Fidget Spinner to Brushless MotorView Instructable »
That is good to hear, Tanner - I look forward to seeing your projectdave
- davebodnar's instructable Supplying Power to a Rotating Object, Wirelessly!'s weekly stats:
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Supplying Power to a Rotating Object, Wirelessly!View Instructable »
Fixed - thanks for the heads-up!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Thunder & Lightning AnimationView Instructable »
Thanks for the comment! Please note that I did not build this layout - that was done by a professional organization and took many moons to complete!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Supplying Power to a Rotating Object, Wirelessly!View Instructable »
Right you are, Russ - I believe some of the commercial phone charging bases have ferrite under the transmitting coil.My goal was to use as simple a setup as possible and I have not needed to increase the power output beyond what I can realize with the project as described.thanks!dave
- davebodnar's instructable Thunder & Lightning Animation's weekly stats:
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable Thunder & Lightning AnimationView Instructable »
The speaker output varies depending on the volume of the of the MP3 player output - that is how the Arduino knows when it is time to turn on or turn off the LED light.dave
- davebodnar's instructable An Inexpensive Smoke / Fog Generator's weekly stats:
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable An Inexpensive Smoke / Fog GeneratorView Instructable »
I don't know if it would work or not - the heating element and wick are designed to work with the glycerine so it would be unlikely that a completely different fluid would work. If you give it a try be sure to let us know what you find!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable An Inexpensive Smoke / Fog GeneratorView Instructable »
Lamar - I really can't say if the smoke would harm a smoke detector - I have never seen such an issue discussed.dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable An Inexpensive Smoke / Fog GeneratorView Instructable »
It is a Vollmer HO Scale 1:87 SMOKE STACK KIT dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable An Inexpensive Smoke / Fog GeneratorView Instructable »
You could certainly use metal - I have also made a unit using PVC pipe - These photos show my latest version using 3/4" fittings and a small acrylic disk between the top and bottom section.Keep in mind that the chance of fire is really remote due to the low power that is used. Only a few watts.dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable An Inexpensive Smoke / Fog Generator
I have a timer that turns the unit on for about 30 seconds then off for a few minutes - it is activated by a simple keyfob remote but could be started with a simple button.I have notes on how it was done and the timer I used on my web page here:http://trainelectronics.com/Animation_Smoke/Please let me know if you have any questions.dave
View Instructable »Rob - I am not sure that this type of gizmo would produce the smoke you are looking for as it seems to dissipate quickly - The units I am using only want 3.7 volts or so. You surely would need a step down converter to deal with your voltages!dave
- davebodnar commented on davebodnar's instructable An Inexpensive Smoke / Fog GeneratorView Instructable »
That is good to hear - it has been great fun to build and use - folks really like the effect on the model railroad layoutdave
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