Electronics > Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff
How to electronicly detect a pest trap has been triggered.
Someone:
--- Quote from: mrpackethead on September 20, 2017, 08:30:48 pm ---
--- Quote from: vk6zgo on September 20, 2017, 02:05:38 am ---That thing is going to make a seriously loud noise when it trips, so how about a microphone?
Dedicated "mute" ICs used to be available which were used in radios, so if you can get one which just presents a logic level change at its output, you are halfway there.
If you have to fart around setting levels & stuff with a PIC or whatever, it is a bit more messy, but still do-able.
--- End quote ---
This is very true. And this gives me an idea. When they go off, they really do go off. Its a very strong spring and it really accelerates very fast. When it hits the base, it really hits. At least for the said 'victim' the end is quick.
A peizeo electric transducer would certainly pick up the hit.
The problem i have with microswitches ( which would be the easiest way by a long time ) is that these traps are in ugly places, with mud, and rain. A peizo could be sealed up and attached to the side of the box.
--- End quote ---
Why not stick with the agricultural mindset and have a small transmitter that is enabled when its switched on, the trick being that switch is one that is turned on by pulling a pin (pin flag switch style) out of it with a string attached to the closing jaw. There are ways to get enough travel/leverage on the trap its self and make a solution which doesnt require any constraints on the placement within a box/tree trunk/etc. Or if you're concerned about the weatherproofness of typical limit switches there are Automotive switches for checking if doors/bonnets/hatches are open that are available and some of those might fit the required shape already, held open by the jaw until it closes then enabling the transmitter.
Habropoda:
Probably the simplest and most robust solution is a vibration sensor switch like this:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2384
There are a few variations on this; a spring around a rod, a ball or rod rolling amongst multiple contacts. Set up a pin change interrupt to wake up a sleeping microcontroller or trigger a comparator, super low standby current. Plenty of examples once you get the right search phrase.
They are very cheap on ebay and you can encapsulate them as needed for conditions. If you epoxied one to the base of that trap it would trigger for sure, it would not need to go on the killer arm.
I use one with a Moteino to protect a wildlife camera. Works great.
ez24:
After reading the docs on the trap, my guess is a sound solution is best. I think you could come up with a small box that could be placed near the trap therefore no work would have to be done on the trap.
mrpackethead:
--- Quote from: Habropoda on September 21, 2017, 05:36:32 am ---Probably the simplest and most robust solution is a vibration sensor switch like this:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2384
There are a few variations on this; a spring around a rod, a ball or rod rolling amongst multiple contacts. Set up a pin change interrupt to wake up a sleeping microcontroller or trigger a comparator, super low standby current. Plenty of examples once you get the right search phrase.
They are very cheap on ebay and you can encapsulate them as needed for conditions. If you epoxied one to the base of that trap it would trigger for sure, it would not need to go on the killer arm.
I use one with a Moteino to protect a wildlife camera. Works great.
--- End quote ---
Thats a great idea. I'm goign to give this one a try. thats really simple. and i suspect it will work nicely.
mrpackethead:
Found those sensors on aliexpress for just 0.05c each! ( including postage ) so orederd some of the various grades.. Just search on that part number.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/50PCS-SW-18020P-Electronic-Shaking-Vibration-Sensor-Switch-Black-hot/32788166427.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.IgBpxt
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version