Whether or not you’ve gotten costly tropical fish, delicate reefs, or humble goldfish, that you must preserve your tank clear to your aquatic pets, and this Raspberry Pi Pico-powered dosing pump is simply the factor. Created by yojoebosolo (Joe Stiff), this $18 (£14) tiny pump venture gives microdoses of a chemical that maintains a fish tank.
The pump system is a peristaltic pump that makes use of mechanical manipulation to maneuver the liquid via a tube. This pump system is often utilized in medical and scientific functions the place precision and hygiene are key. The tube will be simply changed as no liquids undergo the pump (they’re massaged via the tube), and they are often swapped for a unique liquid. Yojoebosolo makes use of it to micro-dose varied chemical substances right into a fish tank.
Powering the venture is a Raspberry Pi Pico. Primarily based on the low value within the Invoice of Supplies, we see that it was the Pico, not the Raspberry Pi Pico W. Particulars are dotted throughout the fairly prolonged feedback part. There we will see {that a} two-channel relay controls the pumps. We will solely see one enter, a micro USB port, on the again of the 3D-printed case. The relay is immediately related to the Pico’s 5V provide, and a GPIO pin on the Pico controls the open/closed state of the relay contacts.
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The 3D-printed case is straightforward however superbly made. It should’ve been printed on one of many finest 3D printers because it appears to be like clear, with solely a touch of stepping exhibiting on the Glitz PLA emerald inexperienced filament. The entrance of the case holds the pumps, secured utilizing machine screws. Wanting contained in the case, because of a downloadable 3D mannequin that we sliced for our Elegoo Neptune 3 Professional, we will see the place the Raspberry Pi Pico will be secured (left) and the place the 2 channel relays are housed (proper).
Apart from conserving our aquatic buddies glad, are there another functions for this venture? After all! Plant watering is the obvious utility. A soil moisture sensor would report the conductivity of the soil — the drier it will get, the much less it conducts. The Pico would then management the peristaltic pump to water the plant. If gardening is not your factor, how a few drink? The identical tech can be utilized to construct a robotic bartender. Utilizing just a few pumps, linked to varied drinks, customers will be provided a menu. After choosing a drink, the Pico would set off the suitable pumps to combine your favourite tipple.
The entire parts, and a downloadable 3D mannequin of the case, are within the thread. Yojoebosolo has put loads of thought and energy into this construct, a lot in order that it appears to be like fairly simplistic at an informal look. Nonetheless, it appears that evidently the simplicity is the product of clear pondering.
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