Project #7: RGB LCD Shield – LED RGB – Mk05

LED RGB

LED RGB are tri-color LEDs with red, green, and blue emitters, in general using a four-wire connection with one common lead (anode or cathode). These LEDs can have either common positive leads in the case of a common anode LED, or common negative leads in the case of a common cathode LED. Others, however, have only two leads (positive and negative) and have a built-in electronic control unit.

LED RGB (Red-Green-Blue) are actually three LEDs in one! But that doesn’t mean it can only make three colors. Because red, green, and blue are the additive primary colors, you can control the intensity of each to create every color of the rainbow. Most RGB LEDs have four pins: one for each color, and a common pin. On some, the common pin is the anode, and on others, it’s the cathode.

Circuit Schematics (Common Cathode)

The cathode will be connected to the VIN and will be connected through 330 Ohms resistor. We will use PWM for simulating analog output which will provide different voltage levels to the LEDs so we can get the desired colors. We will use PWM for simulating analog output which will provide different voltage levels to the LEDs so we can get the desired colors.

Source Code

I will use the pins number 4, 3 and 2 and I will name them iRed, iGreen and iBlue. In the setup section we need to define them as outputs. At the bottom of the sketch we have this custom made function named setColor() which takes 3 different arguments red, green and blue. These arguments represents the brightness of the LEDs or the duty cycle of the PWM signal which is created using the analogWrite() function. These values can vary from 0 to 255 which represents 100 % duty cycle of the PWM signal or maximum LED brightness.

So now in the loop function we will make our program which will change the color of the LED each 2 second. In order to get red light on the LED we will call the setColor() function and set value of 255 for the iRed argument and 0 for the two others. Respectively we can get the two other basic colors, green and blue.

DonLuc1807Mk09

1 x RGB LCD Shield 16×2 Character Display
1 x Arduino UNO – R3
1 x ProtoScrewShield
1 x LED RGB (NSTM515AS)
1 x 330 ohm resistor
4 x Jumper Wires 6″ M/M
1 x Half-Size Breadboard

Arduino UNO

Red – Digital 4
Gre – Digital 3
Blu – Digital 2
VIN – +5V

DonLuc1807Mk09p.ino

// ***** Don Luc *****
// Software Version Information
// Project #7: RGB LCD Shield – LED RGB – Mk05
// 7-9
// DonLuc1807Mk09p 7-9
// RGB LCD Shield
// LED RGB

// include the library code:
#include <Adafruit_MCP23017.h>
#include <Adafruit_RGBLCDShield.h>

Adafruit_RGBLCDShield RGBLCDShield = Adafruit_RGBLCDShield();
#define GREEN 0x2

// LED RGB
#define COMMON_ANODE
int iBlue = 2;
int iGreen = 3;
int iRed = 4;

void loop() 
{

  // LED RGB
  isColor();
   
  delay(500);
  
  // Clear
  RGBLCDShield.clear();
  
}

getColor.ino

// LED RGB
void isColor()
{

  // Display
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 0  
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0,0);
  RGBLCDShield.print("LED RGB");          // LED RGB
  
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 1
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0, 1); 
  RGBLCDShield.print("Red     ");         // Red
  setColor(255, 0, 0);                    // Red Color
  delay(2000);

  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 1
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0, 1); 
  RGBLCDShield.print("Green   ");         // Green
  setColor(0, 255, 0);                    // Green Color
  
  delay(2000);

  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 1
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0, 1); 
  RGBLCDShield.print("Blue   ");          // Blue
  setColor(0, 0, 255);                    // Blue Color
  delay(2000);
  
}

void setColor(int red, int green, int blue) 
{

  #ifdef COMMON_ANODE
    red = 255 - red;
    green = 255 - green;
    blue = 255 - blue;
  #endif

  analogWrite(iRed, red);
  analogWrite(iGreen, green);
  analogWrite(iBlue, blue);

}

setup.ino

// Setup
void setup() 
{

  // set up the LCD's number of columns and rows: 
  RGBLCDShield.begin(16, 2);
  RGBLCDShield.setBacklight(GREEN);
  
  // Display
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 0  
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0,0);  
  RGBLCDShield.print("Don Luc");         // Don luc
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 1
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0, 1);
  RGBLCDShield.print("LED RGB");         // LED RGB

  delay(5000);

  // Clear
  RGBLCDShield.clear();

  // LED RGB
  pinMode(iBlue, OUTPUT);                 // Blue
  pinMode(iGreen, OUTPUT);                // Green
  pinMode(iRed, OUTPUT);                  // Red

}

Don Luc

Project #7: RGB LCD Shield – IR Emitters and Detectors – Mk04

Infrared Emitters and Detectors

Side-looking Infrared Emitters and IR Detectors. These simple devices operate at 940nm and work well for generic IR systems including remote control and touch-less object sensing. Using a simple ADC on any microcontroller will allow variable readings to be collected from the detector. The emitter is driven up to 50mA with a current limiting resistor as with any LED device. The detect is a NPN transistor that is biased by incoming IR light.

Sold as a pair, with one Emitter and one Detector.

IR Emitter

Connect IR LED using a 270 ohm series resistor to the +5 supply (or to an Arduino pin if you want to switch the source on and off). Current draw is about 11 mA with a 270 ohm resistor. Current runs from anode to cathode. Flat on the case marks the cathode. To determine if the IR LED is the right way around.

IR Detector

A IR Detector is just like a regular transistor except the base lead is disabled or absent and light activates base current. The flat on the case marks the collector, the other lead is the emitter. Connect the collector to one end of a 10K ohm resistor and connect the other end of the resistor to a +5V supply (you can use the +5 pin on the Arduino). Connect the emitter to ground. The voltage should start out at +5V. When pointing the IR Detector, the voltage should drop down to near zero. To interface with the Arduino, make a second connection from the collector to an Arduino pin.

DonLuc1807Mk08

1 x RGB LCD Shield 16×2 Character Display
1 x Arduino UNO – R3
1 x ProtoScrewShield
1 x IR Emitter
1 x IR Detector
1 x 270 ohm resistor
1 x 10k ohm resistor
3 x Jumper Wires 3″ M/M
4 x Jumper Wires 6″ M/M
1 x Half-Size Breadboard

Arduino UNO

Det – Analog A0
Emi – Digital 2
VIN – +5V
GND – GND

DonLuc1807Mk08p.ino

// ***** Don Luc *****
// Software Version Information
// Project #7: RGB LCD Shield – IR Emitters and Detectors – Mk04
// 7-8
// DonLuc1807Mk08p 7-8
// RGB LCD Shield
// IR Emitters and Detectors

// include the library code:
#include <Adafruit_MCP23017.h>
#include <Adafruit_RGBLCDShield.h>

Adafruit_RGBLCDShield RGBLCDShield = Adafruit_RGBLCDShield();
#define GREEN 0x2

// IR Emitters and Detectors
int iDet = 2;
int iSense = A0;
int iVal;

void loop() 
{

  // Display
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 0  
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0,0);
  RGBLCDShield.print("IR Emi - Det");     // IR Emitters and Detectors
  
  // IR Emitters and Detectors
  iVal = analogRead(iSense);
  
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 1
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0, 1);
  if ( iVal >= 1005 ) 
  {
     RGBLCDShield.print("Alarm");         // Alarm    
  }
  else
  {
     RGBLCDShield.print("No");            // No
  }
  
  delay(1000);
  
  // Clear
  RGBLCDShield.clear();
  
}

setup.ino

// Setup
void setup() 
{

  // set up the LCD's number of columns and rows: 
  RGBLCDShield.begin(16, 2);
  RGBLCDShield.setBacklight(GREEN);
  
  // Display
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 0  
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0,0);  
  RGBLCDShield.print("Don Luc");         // Don luc
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 1
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0, 1);
  RGBLCDShield.print("IR Emi - Det");    // IR Emitters and Detectors

  delay(5000);

  // Clear
  RGBLCDShield.clear();

  // IR Emitters and Detectors
  pinMode(iDet, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(iSense, INPUT);
  digitalWrite(iDet,HIGH);

}

Don Luc

Project #9: Stepper – EasyDriver – Mk04

EasyDriver – Hook-Up

Once you have all the headers soldered on, it’s time to hook up the EasyDriver to your Arduino. Using the picture below, make all the necessary connections.

Note: The small stepper motor looks different than the one pictured. It should have a 4-pin connector on the end. This will be attached to the 4-pin male header facing upward. Because of the nature of this particular stepper, you can hook up the connector in either orientation, i.e. either the black wire on the left or the yellow wire on the left. It will work either way. If you are using a different motor, consult its documentation to find out which wires should go where.

IMPORTANT: Stepper motors require more power than can be supplied by the Arduino. In this example we will be powering the Uno with a 12V external supply. Notice that the power input (M+) on the EasyDriver is attached to the Vin pin on the Arduino. This will allow you to power both the Arduino and the motor with the same power supply.

DonLuc1807Mk07

1 x RGB LCD Shield 16×2 Character Display
1 x Arduino UNO – R3
1 x ProtoScrewShield
1 x EasyDriver
1 x Small Stepper Motor
1 x Pololu Mounting
3 x Jumper Wires 3″ M/M
4 x Jumper Wires 6″ M/M
1 x Half-Size Breadboard

Arduino UNO

Spe – Digital 3
Dir – Digital 2
VIN – +5V
GND – GND

DonLuc1807Mk07p.ino

// ***** Don Luc *****
// Software Version Information
// Project #9: Stepper - EasyDriver - Mk04
// 7-7
// DonLuc1807Mk07p 7-7
// Stepper
// EasyDriver

// include the library code:
#include <Adafruit_MCP23017.h>
#include <Adafruit_RGBLCDShield.h>

Adafruit_RGBLCDShield RGBLCDShield = Adafruit_RGBLCDShield();
#define GREEN 0x2

// EasyDriver
int dirPin = 2;                           // EasyDriver
int stepPin = 3;                          // stepPin

void loop() {

  // Display
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 0  
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0,0);
  RGBLCDShield.print("EasyDriver");       // EasyDriver
  
  // EasyDriver
  int i;

  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 1
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0, 1);
  RGBLCDShield.print("Left");             // Left
  
  digitalWrite(dirPin, LOW);              // Set the direction.
  delay(100);

  for (i = 0; i<4000; i++)                // Iterate for 4000 microsteps.
  {
    digitalWrite(stepPin, LOW);           // This LOW to HIGH change is what creates the
    digitalWrite(stepPin, HIGH);          // "Rising Edge" so the easydriver knows to when to step.
    delayMicroseconds(500);               // This delay time is close to top speed for this
  }                                       // particular motor. Any faster the motor stalls.

  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 1
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0, 1);
  RGBLCDShield.print("Right");            // Right
  
  digitalWrite(dirPin, HIGH);             // Change direction.
  delay(2000);

  for (i = 0; i<4000; i++)                // Iterate for 4000 microsteps
  {
    digitalWrite(stepPin, LOW);           // This LOW to HIGH change is what creates the
    digitalWrite(stepPin, HIGH);          // "Rising Edge" so the easydriver knows to when to step.
    delayMicroseconds(500);               // This delay time is close to top speed for this
  }                                       // particular motor. Any faster the motor stalls.

  delay(2000);
  
  // Clear
  RGBLCDShield.clear();
  
}

setup.ino

// Setup
void setup() {

  // set up the LCD's number of columns and rows: 
  RGBLCDShield.begin(16, 2);
  RGBLCDShield.setBacklight(GREEN);
  
  // Display
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 0  
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0,0);  
  RGBLCDShield.print("Don Luc");         // Don luc
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 1
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0, 1);
  RGBLCDShield.print("EasyDriver");      // EasyDriver

  delay(5000);

  // Clear
  RGBLCDShield.clear();

  // EasyDriver
  pinMode(dirPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(stepPin, OUTPUT);

}

Don Luc

Project #9: Stepper – EasyDriver – Mk03

Assembly

The simplest way to use the EasyDriver is to attach headers to it for easy insertion onto a breadboard. Alternatively, you could solder the wires straight to the board. These instructions will assume you are using the breadboard method.

The first step is to solder straight male headers to the EasyDriver. Very few of the actual pins on the EasyDriver will be used in this example. However, soldering headers on all the broken out pins is recommended to give the board more stability when attached to a breadboard. A simple method for this is to break off the desired amount of headers, place them in the breadboard in the appropriate locations, place the EasyDriver on top, and then solder all the connections.

DonLuc1807Mk06

2 x EasyDriver
10 x 2 Header
2 x 3 Header
2 x 4 Header
2 x Half-Size Breadboard
1 x Flux-Core Solder 60/40
1 x Fume Extractor TENMA
1 x Soldering Station TENMA

Don Luc

Project #9: Stepper – EasyDriver – Mk02

EasyDriver – Stepper Motor Driver

Description

The EasyDriver is a simple to use stepper motor driver, compatible with anything that can output a digital 0 to 5V pulse (or 0 to 3.3V pulse if you solder SJ2 closed on the EasyDriver). The EasyDriver requires a 6V to 30V supply to power the motor and can power any voltage of stepper motor. The EasyDriver has an on board voltage regulator for the digital interface that can be set to 5V or 3.3V. Connect a 4-wire stepper motor and a microcontroller and you’ve got precision motor control! EasyDriver drives bi-polar motors, and motors wired as bi-polar. I.e. 4,6, or 8 wire stepper motors.

This EasyDriver V4.5 has been co-designed with Brian Schmalz. It provides much more flexibility and control over your stepper motor, when compared to older versions. The microstep select (MS1 and MS2) pins of the A3967 are broken out allowing adjustments to the microstepping resolution. The sleep and enable pins are also broken out for further control.

Note: Do not connect or disconnect a motor while the driver is energized. This will cause permanent damage to the A3967 IC.

Note: This product is a collaboration with Brian Schmalz. A portion of each sales goes back to them for product support and continued development.

Features

* A3967 Microstepping Driver
* MS1 and MS2 pins broken out to change microstepping resolution to full, half, quarter and eighth steps (defaults to eighth)
* Compatible with 4, 6, and 8 wire stepper motors of any voltage
* Adjustable current control from 150mA/phase to 700mA/phase
* Power supply range from 6V to 30V. The higher the voltage, the higher the torque at high speeds

Don Luc

Project #9: Stepper – Mk01

Stepper Motor

A stepper motor or step motor or stepping motor is a brushless DC electric motor that divides a full rotation into a number of equal steps. The motor’s position can then be commanded to move and hold at one of these steps without any position sensor for feedback (an open-loop controller), as long as the motor is carefully sized to the application in respect to torque and speed.

Switched reluctance motors are very large stepping motors with a reduced pole count, and generally are closed-loop commutated.

Fundamentals of Operation

Brushed DC motors rotate continuously when DC voltage is applied to their terminals. The stepper motor is known by its property to convert a train of input pulses (typically square wave pulses) into a precisely defined increment in the shaft position. Each pulse moves the shaft through a fixed angle.

Stepper motors effectively have multiple “toothed” electromagnets arranged around a central gear-shaped piece of iron. The electromagnets are energized by an external driver circuit or a micro controller. To make the motor shaft turn, first, one electromagnet is given power, which magnetically attracts the gear’s teeth. When the gear’s teeth are aligned to the first electromagnet, they are slightly offset from the next electromagnet. This means that when the next electromagnet is turned on and the first is turned off, the gear rotates slightly to align with the next one. From there the process is repeated. Each of those rotations is called a “step”, with an integer number of steps making a full rotation. In that way, the motor can be turned by a precise angle.

Unipolar Motors

A unipolar stepper motor has one winding with center tap per phase. Each section of windings is switched on for each direction of magnetic field. Since in this arrangement a magnetic pole can be reversed without switching the direction of current, the commutation circuit can be made very simple (e.g., a single transistor) for each winding. Typically, given a phase, the center tap of each winding is made common: giving three leads per phase and six leads for a typical two phase motor. Often, these two phase commons are internally joined, so the motor has only five leads.

Bipolar Motors

Bipolar motors have a single winding per phase. The current in a winding needs to be reversed in order to reverse a magnetic pole, so the driving circuit must be more complicated, typically with an H-bridge arrangement (however there are several off-the-shelf driver chips available to make this a simple affair). There are two leads per phase, none are common.

Small Stepper Motor

Description

These small steppers are a great way to get things moving, especially when positioning and repeatability is a concern.

When using a current limiting driver such as the Easydriver or Big Easydriver, a 12 volt power supply can be used as long as you adjust the current level to 400mA or less. If using a non current limited driver (like a L293D or an H-bridge) you will need to lower your input voltage to keep the motor current below 400mA.

This is a bipolar motor.

Features

* Stride Angle (degrees): 7.5
* 2-Phase
* Rated Voltage: 12V
* Rated Current: 400mA
* 3mm Diameter Drive Shaft
* 4-Wire Cable Attached
* In-traction Torque: 100 g/cm

Don Luc

Project #8: Servo – Potentiometer Servo – Mk01

Servo Motor

A servo motor is a rotary actuator or linear actuator that allows for precise control of angular or linear position, velocity and acceleration. It consists of a suitable motor coupled to a sensor for position feedback. It also requires a relatively sophisticated controller, often a dedicated module designed specifically for use with servo motors.

Servo motors have been around for a long time and are utilized in many applications. They are small in size but pack a big punch and are very energy-efficient. These features allow them to be used to operate remote-controlled or radio-controlled toy cars, robots and airplanes. Servo motors are also used in industrial applications, robotics, in-line manufacturing, pharmaceutics and food services.

Circuit

Servo motors have three wires: power, ground, and signal. The power wire is red, and should be connected to the 5V pin on the Arduino board. The ground wire is black and should be connected to a ground pin on the board. The signal pin is orange and should be connected to pin 9 on the board.

The potentiometer should be wired so that its two outer pins are connected to power (+5V) and ground, and its middle pin is connected to analog input 0 on the board.

DonLuc1805Mk07

1 x RGB LCD Shield 16×2 Character Display
1 x Arduino UNO – R3
1 x ProtoScrewShield
1 x Servo Motor
1 x 100k Ohm Potentiometer
1 x Potentiometer Knob
4 x Jumper Wires 3″ M/M
4 x Jumper Wires 6″ M/M
1 x Half-Size Breadboard

Arduino UNO

Ser – Digital 9
Pot – Analog A0
VIN – +5V
GND – GND

DonLuc1807Mk03.ino

// ***** Don Luc *****
// Software Version Information
// Project #8: Servo Motor - Potentiometer - Mk01
// 7-3
// DonLuc1807Mk03 7-3
// Servo Motor
// Potentiometer Servo

// include the library code:
#include <Adafruit_MCP23017.h>
#include <Adafruit_RGBLCDShield.h>
#include <Servo.h>

Adafruit_RGBLCDShield RGBLCDShield = Adafruit_RGBLCDShield();
#define GREEN 0x2

// Potentiometer Servo Motor
Servo isServo;                            // Create servo object to control a servo
int iPot1 = A0;                           // Analog Potentiometer 1
int iVal;                                 // Variable - Analog Potentiometer 1

void loop() {

  // Potentiometer Servo Motor
  iVal = analogRead(iPot1);               // Reads the value of the iPot1 (Value between 0 and 1023)
  iVal = map(iVal, 0, 1023, 0, 180);      // Scale it to use it with the isServo (Value between 0 and 180)
  isServo.write(iVal);                    // isServo sets the servo position according to the scaled value
  delay(15);    

  // Display
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 0  
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0,0);
  RGBLCDShield.print("Potentiometer");     // Potentiometer
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 1
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0, 1);
  RGBLCDShield.print(iVal);                // Reads the value iVal
  
  delay(500);
  
  // Clear
  RGBLCDShield.clear();
  
}

setup.ino

// Setup
void setup() {

  // set up the LCD's number of columns and rows: 
  RGBLCDShield.begin(16, 2);
  RGBLCDShield.setBacklight(GREEN);
  
  // Display
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 0  
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0,0);  
  RGBLCDShield.print("Don Luc");         // Don luc
  // Set the cursor to column 0, line 1
  RGBLCDShield.setCursor(0, 1);
  RGBLCDShield.print("Potentiometer");   // Potentiometer Servo Motor

  delay(5000);

  // Clear
  RGBLCDShield.clear();

  // Potentiometer Servo Motor
  isServo.attach(9);                     // Attaches the Servo on pin 9 to the Servo Object

}

Don Luc

555 LED Flasher

Don Luc

In my early teens I was into photography and processing and printing my own B&W photos in a darkroom I had built with the help of my Mom in our basement in Canada. I got into electronics when I could not afford to buy a proper darkroom timer and I saw some article, probably in some electronics magazine, that explained how to build a simple timer that blinks a LED at one second intervals. After a trip, probably to Radio Shack, to buy a 555 timer IC, a LED, some resistors, wires and a small perforated circuit board. After that I was hooked on electronics projects from that day.

555 Timer IC

The 555 timer IC is an integrated circuit (chip) used in a variety of timer, pulse generation, and oscillator applications. The 555 can be used to provide time delays, as an oscillator, and as a flip-flop element.

Introduced in 1972 by Signetics, the 555 is still in widespread use due to its low price, ease of use, and stability. It is now made by many companies in the original bipolar and in low-power CMOS technologies. As of 2003, it was estimated that 1 billion units were manufactured every year. The 555 is the most popular integrated circuit ever manufactured. This is a small size led flasher built with the 555 timer IC that is powered from DC Power Supply. The circuit can be used as a flashing metronome, dark room timer, memo-reminder or other similar applications.

Specifications

These specifications apply to the NE555. Other 555 timers can have different specifications depending on the grade (military, medical, etc.). These values should be considered “ball park” values, instead the current official datasheet from the exact manufacturer of each chip should be consulted for parameter limitation recommendations.

Supply voltage (VCC): 4.5 to 15 V
Supply current (VCC = +5 V): 3 to 6 mA
Supply current (VCC = +15 V): 10 to 15 mA
Output current (maximum): 200 mA
Maximum Power dissipation: 600 mW
Power consumption (minimum operating): 30 mW@5V, 225 mW@15V
Operating temperature: 0 to 75 °C

555 Flasher Circuit

Modes: Astable (free-running) mode – the 555 can operate as an electronic oscillator. Uses include LED and lamp flashers, pulse generation, logic clocks, tone generation, security alarms, pulse position modulation and so on. The 555 can be used as a simple ADC, converting an analog value to a pulse length. The use of a microprocessor-based circuit can then convert the pulse period to temperature, linearize it and even provide calibration means.

The LED will be ON for a short period of time and OFF for a longer period. The duty cycle can be reversed if the LED is connected as shown will also increase due to the fact that the LED will stay ON for a longer period of time. An LED flasher circuit is a circuit which flashes the LED meaning turns it ON-OFF, ON-OFF, ON-OFF, Etc.

555 LED Flasher

1 x 555 Timer IC
1 x DC Power Supply
1 x Red LED
2 x 1K Ohm Resistors
1 x 10K Ohm Resistor
1 x 10µF Electrolytic Capacitor
1 x 0.01µF Ceramic Capacitor
9 x Jumper Wires 3″ M/M
1 x Breadboard

Don Luc

Project #6: MicroView – Alcohol Gas Sensor – Mk09

Alcohol Gas Sensor – MQ-3

This alcohol sensor is suitable for detecting alcohol concentration on your breath, just like your common breathalyzer. It has a high sensitivity and fast response time. Sensor provides an analog resistive output based on alcohol concentration. The drive circuit is very simple, all it needs is one resistor. A simple interface could be a 0-3.3V ADC.

Features

* 5V DC or AC circuit
* Requires heater voltage
* Operation Temperature: -10 to 70 degrees C
* Heater consumption: less than 750mW* 16.8mm diameter
* 9.3 mm height without the pins

Note: Again, the MQ-3 is heater-driven so be aware that the sensor will become warm and may even emit a smell at first. This is completely normal.

Calibration: If you take your time, you can find out what values equate to specific percentages or even blood alcohol concentration in the case of a breathalyzer. You will of course need to calibrate your MQ-3 based on your specific Arduino code since sensor readings will vary. Do not get the sensor wet with alcohol! Simply squeeze to breathe the vapors of the alcohol into the sensor and take your readings.

Alcohol Gas Sensor – MQ-3

1 x MicroView
1 x MicroView – USB Programmer
1 x Alcohol Gas Sensor – MQ-3
1 x NeoPixel Stick – 8 x 5050 RGB LED
1 x LED Green
1 x 10k Ohm
1 x 100k Ohm Potentiometer
1 x Potentiometer Knob
1 x 4 Header
2 x 2 Header
14 x Jumper Wires 3″ M/M
1 x Half-Size Breadboard
1 x Battery Holder 3xAAA with Cover and Switch
3 x Battery AAA

MicroView

Pot – PIN 05 – Analog A2
MQ-3 – PIN 07 – Analog A0
GND – PIN 08 – GND
VIN – PIN 15 – +5V
NEO – PIN 12 – Digital 3
LEDG – PIN 11 – Digital 2

DonLuc1807Mk01

DonLuc1807Mk01.ino

// ***** Don Luc *****
// Software Version Information
// Project #6: MicroView - Alcohol Gas Sensor - MQ-3 - Mk09
// 7.1
// DonLuc1807Mk01 7-1
// MicroView
// Alcohol Gas Sensor - MQ-3

// include the library code:
#include <MicroView.h>
#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>

// Alcohol Gas Sensor - MQ-3
int mq3Pin0 = A0;                         // Connected to the output pin of MQ3 
int mq3Value = 0;

// NeoPixels
#define PIN 3                             // On digital pin 3
#define NUMPIXELS 8                       // NeoPixels NUMPIXELS = 8
Adafruit_NeoPixel pixels = Adafruit_NeoPixel(NUMPIXELS, PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
int red = 0;                              // Red
int green = 0;                            // Green
int blue = 0;                             // Blue
int iNeo = 0;                             // Neopix
const int iBriPin = A2;                   // Panel Mount 1K potentiometer Brightneed
int iBri = 0;                             // Neopix Brightness
int iBriMin = 1023;                       // Brightneed minimum sensor value
int iBriMax = 0;                          // Brightneed maximum sensor value

// LED
int ledG = 1;                             // LED Green

void loop() {
  
  // Alcohol Gas Sensor - MQ-3
  // Give ample warmup time for readings to stabilize
  isMQ3();

  delay(100);
  
  uView.clear(PAGE);  // Erase the memory buffer, the OLED will be cleared
  
}

getMQ3.ino

// Alcohol Gas Sensor - MQ-3
void isMQ3(){

  // LEDs - Low
  for(int z=0; z<NUMPIXELS; z++){ 
     // Black
     red = 0;                                 // Red
     green = 0;                               // Green
     blue = 0;                                // Blue
     iNeo = z;                                // Neopix       
     neopix(); 
  }
    
  // Probe
  mq3Value = analogRead(mq3Pin0);              // Take a reading from the probe
  
  if( mq3Value >= 1 ){                         // If the reading isn't zero, proceed
    
    if (mq3Value > 1){                         // If the average is over 50 ...
      // Green
      red = 0;                                 // Red
      green = 255;                             // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 0;                                // Neopix       
      neopix();      
    }
    else{                                      // and if it's not ...
      // Black
      red = 0;                                 // Red
      green = 0;                               // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 0;                                // Neopix        
      neopix();      
    }

    if (mq3Value > 250){                        // and so on ...
      // Green
      red = 0;                                 // Red
      green = 255;                             // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 1;                                // Neopix       
      neopix();
    }
    else{
      // Black
      red = 0;                                 // Red
      green = 0;                               // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 1;                                // Neopix        
      neopix(); 
    }

    if (mq3Value > 350){
      // Green
      red = 0;                                 // Red
      green = 255;                             // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 2;                                // Neopix       
      neopix();
    }
    else{
      // Black
      red = 0;                                 // Red
      green = 0;                               // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 1;                                // Neopix        
      neopix(); 
    }


    if (mq3Value > 500){
      // Yellow
      red = 255;                               // Red
      green = 255;                             // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 3;                                // Neopix
      neopix();
    }
    else{
      // Black
      red = 0;                                 // Red
      green = 0;                               // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 3;                                // Neopix       
      neopix(); 
    }

    if (mq3Value > 650){
      // Yellow
      red = 255;                               // Red
      green = 255;                             // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 4;                                // Neopix      
      neopix();
    }
    else{
      // Black
      red = 0;                                 // Red
      green = 0;                               // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 4;                                // Neopix        
      neopix(); 
    }

    if (mq3Value > 750){
      // Yellow
      red = 255;                               // Red
      green = 255;                             // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 5;                                // Neopix  
      neopix();
    }
    else{
      // Black
      red = 0;                                 // Red
      green = 0;                               // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 5;                                // Neopix        
      neopix(); 
    }

    if (mq3Value > 850){
      // Red
      red = 255;                               // Red
      green = 0;                               // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 6;                                // Neopix       
      neopix();
    }
    else{
      // Black
      red = 0;                                 // Red
      green = 0;                               // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 6;                                // Neopix       
      neopix();
    }

    if (mq3Value > 950){
      // Red
      red = 255;                               // Red
      green = 0;                               // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 7;                                // Neopix      
      neopix();
    }
    else{
      // Black
      red = 0;                                 // Red
      green = 0;                               // Green
      blue = 0;                                // Blue
      iNeo = 7;                                // Neopix        
      neopix();
    }

  }
  
  uView.setFontType(0);  // Set font type 0: Numbers and letters. 10 characters per line (6 lines)

  uView.setCursor(0,10); // Alcohol Gas Sensor
  uView.print( "Alcohol" );
  uView.setCursor(0,30); // Alcohol Gas Sensor
  uView.print( mq3Value ); 
        
  uView.display();       // Display
   
}

neopix.ino

// Neopix
void neopix() { 

    // Brightness
    iBri = analogRead(iBriPin);

    // iBri apply the calibration to the sensor reading
    iBri = map(iBri, iBriMin, iBriMax, 0, 255);

    // iBri in case the sensor value is outside the range seen during calibration
    iBri = constrain(iBri, 0, 255);  
    
    pixels.setBrightness( iBri );
    // Pixels.Color takes RGB values, from 0,0,0 up to 255,255,255
    pixels.setPixelColor( iNeo, pixels.Color(red,green,blue) ); 
    // This sends the updated pixel color to the hardware
    pixels.show(); 
    // Delay for a period of time (in milliseconds)
    delay(50);     
  
}

setup.ino

// Setup
void setup() {

  uView.begin();           // Begin of MicroView
  uView.clear(ALL);        // Erase hardware memory inside the OLED controller
  uView.display();         // Display the content in the buffer memory, by default it is the MicroView logo
  
  delay(1000);
  
  uView.clear(PAGE);       // Erase the memory buffer, the OLED will be cleared.
   
  uView.setFontType(1);    // Set font type 1: Numbers and letters. 7 characters per line (3 lines)
  uView.setCursor(0,20);
  uView.print("Don Luc");  // Don Luc
  uView.display();         // Display
  
  delay(5000);

  uView.clear(PAGE);       // Erase the memory buffer, the OLED will be cleared.

  uView.setFontType(1);    // Set font type 1: Numbers and letters. 7 characters per line (3 lines)
  uView.setCursor(0,20);
  uView.print("MQ-3");     // Alcohol Gas Sensor - MQ-3
  uView.display();         // Display 
  
  delay(5000);
  
  uView.clear(PAGE);       // Erase the memory buffer, the OLED will be cleared

  // NeoPixels
  pixels.begin();          // This initializes the NeoPixel library

  // LED
  pinMode( ledG, OUTPUT ); // LED Green 
  // LED Green - High 
  digitalWrite( ledG, HIGH);
       
}

Don Luc

LED – Infrared 950nm

Infrared LEDs are used for remote controls and ‘night-vision’ cameras, and these little blue guys are high powered ones. They are 950nm wavelength, which is what nearly all devices listen to.

The IR LED (or infrared light-emitting diode) Bit sends out light with longer wavelengths than visible light, similar to the light in your remote control. It’s invisible to the eye, but many digital cameras can see it. Try using it to activate the light sensor or remote trigger.

In short, LEDs are like tiny lightbulbs. However, LEDs require a lot less power to light up by comparison. They’re also more energy efficient, so they don’t tend to get hot like conventional lightbulbs do (unless you’re really pumping power into them). This makes them ideal for mobile devices and other low-power applications.

Technical Details

* 5mm LED
* 950nm wavelength (most common)
* 20 degree beam width

LED – Infrared 950nm

5 x Powerful IR LEDs GP54
5 x 30 Ohm
1 x Battery Holder 2xAAA with Cover and Switch
2 x Battery AAA
1 x Half-Size Breadboard
5 x Jumper Wires 3″ M/M

Don Luc