Janky Fish Feeder Mk1

 

I started this project as a fun thing to do with my kids to teach them about design and 3d printing etc.  As they are 5 and 3 it was short lived!  

At some point we are going to be on vacation and we have a little beta fish named Rainbow Rainbow.  We needed a way to feed him when we are away so we build this little janky fish feeder.  It is pretty accurate as far as number of pellets you can load.

This is my first little project and it is very very sketchy.  I am not sure Rainbow Rainbow will make it…

I wish you luck :D

 

SHOPPING LIST

For this project you will need a few extra components to get it to run.

• Arduino Uno R3
• SG90 Servo
• Some Male-Male Jumper Wires (x3)
• Power cord for the Uno

 

SOFTWARE

For the coding of the project I just used the Arduino IDE which is enough for our project.  The code itself is very simple and I will add it below.  The general idea is to set up the servo to 0 degrees to start, then for it to wait 1 minute so you can load in the food.  It will then spin for a single feeding then wait 12 hours until the next.

#include <Servo.h>
Servo servo;
int angle = 0;
int a;
int feeding;
int min2ms = 60000;
int sec2ms = 1000;
int angleDelta = 32; // Add a litte for the offset
void setup() {
  servo.attach(8);
  // Set it up to the zero angle, then delay for 3 min to put the food in
  servo.write(angle);
  delay(60000);
}
void loop() 
{ 
  int currentAngle = angle;
  // Loop for 6 feedings
  for(feeding = 0; feeding < 6;feeding++){
    // First we will move it 30 degrees at a 3 second pace
    for(a = currentAngle; a < currentAngle + angleDelta; a++)
{
servo.write(a);  // Spin the servo
delay(100); // 3 seconds per spin
} 
currentAngle = currentAngle + angleDelta;
// delay(1000);
delay(43200000); // 12 hours

  }
}

 

 

HOW TO BUILD AND USE

The build is simply putting the base spinner (many holes) into the Bottom plate.  Then slide it into the main housing.  A video below shows how to load the setup!

 

PRINT NOTE

I used a black PLA for this one.  The overall tolerances are ok, but you can scale up the Bottom plate to 102% if you find it is too tight.  Supports are only needed on the main housing.

I used an already existing Arduino case in this design here:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:628929

 

Print Settings

Rafts	No
Supports	Yes
Resolution	0.2 mm
Infill	20-25 %
Filament	PLA
Notes	Material not dishwasher safe.