Haywired: Pointless (Yet Awesome) Projects for the Electronically Inclined
By Mike Rigsby
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About this ebook
Unless you live in a haunted house, the eyes on your paintings probably don't follow you around. However, with a couple of motion sensors, two motors, a few transistors, resistors, diodes, and wires you can convert a Van Gogh print into a macabre masterpiece with a mind of its own. Haywired proves that science can inspire odd contraptions. Create a Mona Lisa that smiles even wider when you approach it. Learn how to build and record a talking alarm, or craft your own talking greeting card. Construct a no-battery electric car toy that uses a super capacitor, or a flashlight that can be charged in minutes, then shine for 24 hours. Written for budding electronics hobbyists, author Mike Rigsby offers helpful hints on soldering, wire wrapping, and multimeter use. Each project is described in step-by-step detail with photographs and circuit diagrams. Includes Web sites listing suppliers and part numbers.
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Book preview
Haywired - Mike Rigsby
1
Moving Eyeball Picture
When you walk into a room, the moving eyeballs follow you.
When your friends watch the eyeballs move, they’ll think it’s creepy. When you show them the wires and springs on the back side, they’ll think you’re a genius. Have you ever untangled a garden hose or a balled-up string of holiday lights? The methodical work in untangling—patiently taking one small step at a time—is the approach needed to build this.
How does this work? We make two spring-loaded eyeballs. When resting, the eyeballs look straight ahead. An electric motor attached to each eyeball can turn the eye left or right. A motion sensor on the right causes the motor to turn to the right. A sensor on the left causes them to turn left. Stand in the middle of the picture (no active sensor) and the eyes go to the center.
Parts List
8½ x 11
thin plywood
(2) 3/4 x 1½
wood, 8½" long
(2) 3/4 x 1½
wood, 9½" long
(2) 1 x 1
x 3/4" wooden block
(2) PIR sensor modules, www.parallax.com, #555-28027
(2) Stainless steel extension springs, 0.25 O.D., 2.5" free length, www.smallparts.com, #ESX-0015-02
(2) Relay, 5 VDC DPDT, www.jameco.com, #139977
(1) Slide switch, DPDT, Radio Shack, #275-403A
(2) NPN switching transistors, Radio Shack, #276-1617
(3) Silicon diodes, 200V 1 amp, Radio Shack, #276-1102
(2) 1K-ohm resistors, ¼ watt, Radio Shack, #271-1321
(1) 12" red hookup wire, stranded, 22 gauge, Radio Shack, #278-1218
(1) 12" black hookup wire, stranded, 22 gauge, Radio Shack, #278-1218
(4) Screw eyes, size 216 ½" (small), hardware store
Cedar balls, hardware store
3/8" wiggle eyes, craft store
Perfboard, 2 x 4
, Radio Shack, #276-1395
(2) One-cell AA battery holders, Radio Shack, #270-401
(1) Two-cell AA battery holder, Radio Shack, #270-408
(2) 1.5 to 3V DC metal gearmotors, Radio Shack, #273-258
(4) AA batteries
Solder
Glue
Wood screws
Pushpins
Electrical tape
Braided picture hanging wire
Superglue
Double-sided tape
Tools List
Wood saw
Wire wrap tool (see chapter 5 for tips on wire wrapping)
Soldering iron
Drill
1/8, 3/16
, 1, and 7/8
drill bits
Screwdriver
Pencil
To get started, you’ll need to find or print an 8½ × 11 inch photo or drawing whose eyeballs are at least 2 inches apart, measuring from the center of the left eyeball to the center of the right eyeball. You need at least that much room for the motors and springs.
Next, using the templates on page 39, cut and assemble the five wooden pieces as shown below. Drill the 1-inch holes in the side pieces before attaching them to the plywood. Fasten the pieces together using wood screws. This creates the picture frame.
Place the photo on top of the frame, and poke a pushpin through the center of each eye.