Moving Water!

Our pump officially works! We have moved water from one cup to another!  We got more flexible tubing to make the pumping easier for the motor and we figured out how to power the motor correctly.  Our biggest challenge right now is making a housing for the pump that locks the motor in place.

Sensors Controlling Sensors

Now our moisture sensor controls when to power the motor to turn the peristaltic pump. It works!

Pump Assembly!

We've been working really hard on the pump, so here's an update!

This Monday, Sam machined our parts for our motor, so we were all set to put the pieces together! She made an arm to hold the bearings, two shoulder bolts, and a shaft to put over the motor.  

This Thursday we were finally able to put everything together and test it! Here's Gracie getting the motor ready to run for our first test.  

Unfortunately, we have to make a few adjustments to the pump before it will work, but it's on its way! Our pump was able to spin the bearings without the tubing, but with the tubing in place it was not strong enough.  This may be for several reasons.  One thing we're going to look at is whether we're giving the motor enough current.  Second, we're going to get some different tubing that is a little less stiff so that there is less resistant against the motor.  Hopefully by the end of this weekend we should have some of these motors addressed.

Don't forget to water your plants today!

More Electrical Things!

DC Motor Controller!

With this little setup we can power the peristaltic pump when the moisture sensor sense that the water level is low in the plant pot. Just working on making the software side integrated!