Drinking Dog is an easy project that can help you to take care of your pet.
During the summer, when i leave at home my dog for several hours, i have the problem that water inside its bowl become warm in few time. Then iāve create this system that can empty and re-fill the bowl with fresh water each preselected time, maintain constant water level and finally spyies my pet.
This project is based on Raspberry Pi platform with Dexter Ind. modified āwheezyā image Linux raspberrypi 3.18.7+ #755 and GrovePi+ sensors.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dexterindustriesraā¦
Step 1: Hardware 1
For first you need:
- Raspberry Pi mod.B
- GrovePi+
- GrovePi Led
- GrovePi Button
- GrovePi DHT
- GrovePi Relay
- GrovePi Ultrasonic Ranger
- Generic NC 3.3V relay (or another GrovePi Relay)
- 12V solenoid valve
- 12V Windscreen wiper pump (or acquarium pump)
- USB webcam
- WIFI dongle
- 12V PS
- 5V PS for Raspberry
Extras: power cable extention, some jumpers, electrical socket, screws and brackets.
Tools:
- clipper
- drill
- screwdriver
- silicone glue dispenser
Step 2: Hardware 2
To assemble an enclosure box, basically you need:
- Water bowl
- Washing soap bowl
- Wood basement
- RaspberryPi and co. enclosure
- power supply encosure
- cilinder
As you can see in photo, iāve two plastic boxes (pasta box), a plastic cylindric container (spaghetti box) and a plastic bowl. Plastic boxes are reused Tupperware food containers (iāve got a lot of themā¦.. as you can see in my previous instructables!)
Cylindric container has been modified at the base drilling two holes to insert an ultrasonic ranger and, at the top cutting an area that allow the water flow.
Then, to fit solenoid valve, iāve added a plastic bowl. Without this there wasnāt enough space to connect water pipes. Secure the area with silicone glue.
Regarding the top box, drills the small side to insert webcam and led. On the top create some holes for ventilation, then cover with a roof. The other box must be drilled on the top too, creating some holes for ventilation and to insert cables from PS and from led/webcam. Rectangular shape has been cutted on the large side of the box, to access with screwdriver to the internal side. After this, for water drops securing, iāve covered with transparent tape.
Finally you have to drill the water bowl to insert wiper pump. I made this heating a circular metal piece to melt bowl plastic, then iāve created e perfect circular hole to insert wiper pump gasket.
Step 3: Connections
First photo can easly show cable connections.
As you can see, solenoid valve (12V) and wiper pump (12V) are connected at the same PS because they works alternatively . For wiper pump you have to respect correct polarity, solenoid valve doesnāt need.
Sensors are easy connected to GrovePi as follow:
- GrovePi relay > D6
- GrovePi ultrasonic ranger > D4
- GrovePi DHT > D8
- GrovePi button > D2
- GrovePi led > D5
Generic relay has been connected to GrovePi+ pins (if you are using other GrovePi relay, connect it to D3 and modify code as descripted at the code step):
- VCC > pin 1 (3.3V)
- GND > pin 6 (GND)
- SIG > PIN 15 (GPIO 22)
12V power supply connections:
a valve connector and wiper pump negative pole are connected together to power 12V supply negative pole.
For more detail: Drinking Dog ā Dogs watering and spying system
