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1a. What you'll need
- Arduino Pro Micro board
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTU9GOB - 3 for $22.49
- A phototransistor
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M1PMHO4 - 20 for $5.79
- Some shrink tubes
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072PCQ2LW - a lot for $6.99
- Some sticky Velcro
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TGSPV6 - 4 for $3.47
- Box of matches or a lighter
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKFHYHU - 10 for $5.69
You should be able to make 3 devices for $44.43, or just under $15 plus tax per device...
- Arduino Pro Micro board
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2b. Prepare the light sensor
- Cut a piece of shrink tube about 2 lengths of the sensor and and insert the sensor into it. Align the edges.
- Use a lighter (or matches) to shrink the shrink tube (don't apply the flame directly - just hold it near the tube). Bend the leads as shown - make sure that the longer lead is on the right.
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3c. Solder the light sensor to the board
- Insert the light sensor into contacts marked 4 and 6 , bend and solder as shown. Pay attention that the longer lead is still on the right. Do not cut the leads just yet!
- Cut only the left lead. Add some solder to the stub to make it nicer. Bend the right lead onto the stub - this will serve as an activation button. The wire should not be touching the contact - there should be a tiny gap.
- Note: if you soldered the phototransistor incorrectly (i.e. in reverse) - don't worry, there is a "#define REVERSE_PHOTOTRANSISTOR" in the code that can solve the problem
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4d. Final touch
- Add a piece of the loops part of Velcro (the soft part) to the back of the board. I suggest to add a little piece of it to the USB connector as well - it's not really needed there, but it can serve as a reminder that the connector is fragile and to NOT apply torque force to it (when unplugging the cable) - otherwise it WILL break off...
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