weight change sensor for arduino?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piezoelectric_sensor shows one way to measure resistance from weights.

C

So is this what you are looking for Fishamatic, ice Fishamatic tackle - fishing rod hook setters?

Maybe all you need is a spring - when it stretches far enough it closes a switch.

Clem,

That's an option, but not quite what am looking for, as it is a push/push sensor and there is also a pull/pull sensor that work on same principle, but these are for high tension cables and ropes.

Here is a video for an electric jigging machine which I got the idea from, it basically drops the fishing line to the bottom, starts zig-sagging the line up and down at a programmed pattern, and when fish takes the hook and pulls on the line, the motor automatically senses the force and hauls the line to a programmed stop point. ie. the surface of the water.

fast forward to 1:50 to see the concept if you find the video boring as its a long one !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuDRJfGU8FU

cheers.

Douglas,

That's definitely a great simple idea, but the problem here will be the sea condition as it is sometimes rough and the boat will be rocking up and down which will cause extra tension on the line and as a result the spring will be stretched and will haul the line thinking it is a fish, and also if I decide to change the sinker to a heavier one it will stretch the spring and I will be forced to keep changing springs from lighter to heavier and vice versa !

I was thinking about a current sensor and using "if" logic to program it to stay in normal operating condition if the current on the motor is between two numbers "allowing for different conditions", and if the current goes beyond the programmed number, then a hauling process starts.

This way it will be a matter of software programming trials and errors as opposed to hardware replacements !

Another thing I thought about was a load cell attached to a pulley with the line going through it and program it to stay normal between two number and when it goes beyond that with the line tension it will start hauling !

Please have a look at video in my pervious reply above, that might make it clearer as my English is not that good.

The challenge for me as a beginner will be writing the script to program the motor to do what I want it to, but I am sure you guys will help.

Cheers.

If you can put the work into development the load cell approach will ultimately give better results because you can measure line tension much more directly. Measuring motor current is cheaper and easier but may not be sensitive enough  because of mechanical losses in the coupling between the motor and the line tension. Why not try some measurements of motor current and see what happens.

MK

Michael,

you are absolutely right, but using the load cell will make the machine more exposed to environmental elements "heat, humidity, salt, corrosion, etc..." as it will have to be mechanically attached to the line, where in the current sensor everything can be housed in a sealed box and the only exposed part will be the motor pin which will be driving the reel, and everything else will be safe inside the housing and communicating with the motor internally (that's the theory anyway).

I don't need it to be super sensitive anyway, for example lets say I have current values from 1minimum  to 10maximum and if I can program the motor to operate normally between "current value1 and current value4" so the variation in water condition and boat movement will be allowed for, and anything above current value4 will tell the motor to haul the line all the way up to the boat.

as I said, I am still a beginner and working my way around programming and choosing the right stuff for my project which I think is a bit too advanced for my limited knowledge, but with some help and expert ideas I will get there in the end

please feel free to correct me any time and any suggestion is most welcomed.

Cheers.