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Need some help please - Arduino Newbi

Former Member

Hi

 

I need help please before I commit and buy.. I am disabled and would like to automate so tasks in my room.

 

I have some electric knowledge, not allot.

I am a pc Tech but no programing.

 

The things I want to do:

1.     Close the blind at specific time (I would like to add a light sensor to open and close the blind on light condition as well)

2.     I have some 12v LED downlights that I would also like to control via the light sensor.

3.     Have a push button on off switch to override everything (switch of the lights and close the blinds)

 

I have a 12v power supply (an old UPS)

 

That is it for now.

 

I am looking to get this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-Top-New...item257732e276

http://www.ebay.com/itm/L293D-Motor-...item2323fc0a16

2 x http://www.ebay.com/itm/360527843733...84.m1426.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-3-5V-input...item2ec438891a

 

I dont have a big budget maybe $30

 

The step i want the code to take this:

At certain time in the morning or when i press the button or when it gets light open the blinds

If it gets darker switch on the lights and close the blinds halfway

at night close or when i press the button the blinds and switch of the lights (if i can make the lights go of say 3min after the blinds closed it will work nice. Give me time to get into bed image

 

Can the parts i want to get do this, do i need something extra and would someone help me with the coding please.

 

Thank you

Parents Reply
  • 0 in reply to ntewinkel

    Hi.

     

    After some reading I got the lights figured out but I need some advice with the blinds.

    I am still waiting for my arduino so I have nothing to test on at the moment.

     

    Here are my thoughts:

     

    The LED’s

     

    The led connected to a button connected to the light sensor. ( same as the night light with motion sensor just with a button)

    So when it gets dark and the button is pressed switch on the led

    That is all I need with the led

     

    Now the blinds:

     

    DC motor connected to a light sensor and a DPDT toggle switch

    When it gets light open the blinds, when it get dark close them

    Toggle is active whatever the reading is from the light sensor (kind of like a Manuel backup)

     

    Problem: If I use the toggle to close the blinds during the day will the light sensor just open them again and if so how do I prevent this, same for the night

Children
  • 0 in reply to Former Member

    Put the sensor on the other side of the blinds....

     

    You should be able to use a simple motor bridge shield to drive the blind motor (assumming it is within the voltage and current of your motor).

    You just nominate forward or reverse to control open or close.

     

    You can store the state of the blinds in a binary variable (ie BlindState = true for closed, or false for open).

    A simple pushbutton can change the state of the blind, and drive it open or closed.

    That way if the blinds are closed and its dark, you won't need to close them.

     

    Good luck

    Mark