In this sample project we are going to build a NodeMCU data logger that uses the Adafruit cloud to store the temperature and humidity data. To make it even more exciting we are putting the NodeMCU to sleep in the periods that we are not transmitting the data to the cloud.
Read MoreThis tutorial is a simple guide to get started with the NodeMCU one of the most popular forms of the ESP8266 on the market right now. The NodeMCU is a powerful board that is good on the pocket book, but has its drawbacks. We are going to explore how to set this board up with the Arduino IDE, and some other simple tips and trick to get you started.
Read MoreIf you need to run your Arduino of a battery pack, you need to find a way to reduce it's power consumption. One of the the best ways to do this is putting your Arduino to sleep when it is not performing any tasks. This tutorial is a great place to start on learning how to put your Arduino to sleep.
Read MoreA lot of makers don't know how important it is to know the current draw of your project, or why you need to know this. In this tutorial I will explain to you how to measure the current draw of your project, and why it is so important to know this.
I often get asked the question of what type of power supply to use for projects. Most of us know the voltage required, but how much current it draws and why you need to know this is a mystery to many beginner makers. To start with what is this current thing? "In comes the analogy that uses the flow of water to explain these things".
Read MoreThis is Part 2 of a 2 part tutorial that will simplify the way you can store your WiFi configuration on an ESP8266 using the EEPROM library. With this knowledge you can then build Internet Of Things (IOT) projects that can be configured by web form. This will enable to change passwords or IP configuration when needed without having to recompile your sketch.
In part 2 you will learn howto read information "your stored in memory in part one" out of memory. How to use it to configure your IOT device to connect to your WiFi network, and make it user configurable by combining Part 1 and 2 in one sketch
Read MoreThis tutorial is part 1 of 2 that will simplify the way you can store your WiFi configuration on an ESP8266 using the EEPROM library. With this knowledge you can then build Internet Of Things (IOT) projects that can be configured by web form. This will enable to change passwords or IP configuration when needed without having to recompile your sketch.
In part 1 we learn how to write the information to your IOT project, part 2 will teach you how to read this information out of memory and configure your IOT project so it can connect to your WiFi router
Read MoreWith Halloween coming around the corner it is time to see how we can automate some scary projects. We are going to explore two of my favourite ways to do this. First we are going to look how to integrate a pressure plate switch (a big push button you step on which we are going to build), then we will look at how to connect a motion sensor (Passive Infrared Sensor or PIR) to your scaretastick project for the maximum scare factor. I recommend you also watch the video below to get the most out of this tutorial.
Read MoreA couple of weeks back I wrote a short tutorial on using timers instead of delay() functions to make your Arduino projects more responsive to input from buttons and sensors. Using interrupts is a different way to achieve the same result. By attaching an interrupt to a digital pin the Arduino will halt what it is doing to handle the input as it happens making your project more responsive.
Let’s say you are listening to your music with your noise canceling headphones on. At that point somebody calls you on your cell phone. Of course you don’t hear your phone ring as your music is loud and you are distracted by it. Luckily there is someone in the room with you who hears the ringing. This person pokes you in the side to let you know that your phone is ringing and tells you can answer it.
Read MoreCreating graphics for the Nokia 5110 display using an Arduino and the Adafruit Library
I use the Nokia 5110 display in many of my projects. It is inexpensive and reliable. I also use the Adafruit library for this display as it is easy to use and feature rich. The only issue I had with this library was displaying icons and other graphics on it.
All the tutorials I could find dealt with how to concert a bitmap to a format this display could use were with a utility called LCD Assistant. And this does not work with the Adafruit library. This tutorial will take you through the steps how to create graphics using the Adafruit Library
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