2015-06-26 (F) Weekly Summary

Two projects finished this week. Vibrating Distance Sensor and Kitchen Light Bar.

Vibrating Distance Sensor had been going for weeks and was the most recent revision of the distance sensors. This version is the most intuitive to use but the most difficult to build. Fortunately instructions were give which allow this version to be made without a 3D printer.

Making a PVC insert was the final step to making this project work. By cutting a battery slot, drilling a fastening hole, and gluing a switch to the pipe it was possible to fix all the problems necessary to finish the project. This also eliminated the need for an expensive reed switch and used an inexpensive tactile switch. Electrical schematic was updated to show the tactile switch.

PVC shape to fill flashlight
Schematic showing tactile switch
Tactile switch on PVC

Effort was given to making instructions clear and appealing. A day was used to make the parts list picture. Another day was used to make an attractive (in my opinion) cover image for the Instructable. The Instructable started with a descriptive scenario with the hope of drawing readers in and generating appeal to complete the project as well as describing the use of the sensor.

Graphical parts list

Instructable cover image
Finished distance sensor with working switch

The second completed project this week was a kitchen light to go over my sink. I don't like washing dishes in the dark. IKEA has night LED light sticks but they are expensive. I didn't want to permanently install something. The solution was to use clear tubing and a spring-loaded curtain rod, put an inexpensive LED strip inside the tubing with the rod and put it under the cabinet. It worked really well but the Instructable was not popular.

Undercabinet light cycling through colors

The rest of the weekly summaries have been arranged by date.





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