Aquarium fish feeder. Scheme, description

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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RADIO ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
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Aquarium fish feeder. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

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Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering / Home, household, hobby

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Yes, lovers of aquarium fish, it is quite possible to entrust the machine described here with taking care of the regular feeding of your wards. It provides a daily one-time morning feeding of the fish.

The electronic part of such a device (Fig. 1) is formed by a photosensitive element, the function of which is performed by a photoresistor R1, a Schmitt trigger assembled on elements DD1.1 and DD1.2, a pulse shaper of a normalized feed supply duration, made on elements DD1.3, DD1.4 , and an electronic key on transistors VT1, VT2. The role of the feed dispenser is performed by an electromagnet controlled by a transistor key.

The power source of the machine is a commercially available rectifier PM-1, designed to power the engines of electrified self-propelled models and toys, or any other mains power supply with an output voltage of 9 V and a load current of up to 300 mA. To increase the stability of the machine, its photocell and microcircuit are powered by a parametric voltage regulator R7, VD2, C2.

At night, when the resistance of the photosensor R1 is high, a low-level voltage operates at the input and output of the Schmitt trigger, as well as at the input of the DD1.3 element and the output of the DD1.4 element. Transistors VT1 and VT2 are closed. In this "standby" mode, the device consumes a small current - only a few milliamps. With dawn, the resistance of the photoresistor begins to gradually decrease, and the voltage drop across the resistor R2 increases. When this voltage reaches the trigger threshold, a high-level signal appears at the output of its element DD1.2, which, through resistor R5 and capacitor C3, is fed to the input of element DD1.3. As a result, the elements DD1.3 and DD1.4 of the normalized duration pulse shaper are switched to the opposite logical state. Now the high-level signal at the output of the element DD1.4 opens the transistors VT1 and VT2, and the electromagnet Y1, when triggered, drives the fish feed dispenser.

With the onset of the evening time of the day, the resistance of the photoresistor increases, and the voltage across the resistor R2 and, consequently, at the input of the trigger decreases. At the threshold voltage, the trigger switches to its original state and the capacitor C3 quickly discharges through the VD1 diode, the R5 resistor and the DD1.2 element. With dawn, the whole process of the machine is repeated.

Rice. 1 (click to enlarge)

The duration of the dispenser is determined by the charging time of the capacitor C3 through the resistor R6. By changing the resistance of this resistor, the rate of food poured into the aquarium is regulated. So that the device does not work when the mains voltage fails and then appears, various light interferences, a capacitor C2 is connected in parallel with the resistor R1.

Chip DD1 can be K561LA7, transistor VT1 - KT315A-KT315I, KT312A-KG315V, KT3102A-KT3102E, // T2 - KT603A, KT603B, KT608A, KT608B, KT815A-KT815G, KT817A - KT817G. We will replace the KS156A zener diode with KS168A, KS162V, KS168V. Diodes KD522B - on KD521A, KD102A, KD102B, KD103A, KD103B, D219A, D220. Capacitor C1-KM; C2 and C3-K50-6, K50-16; C4 - K50-16 or K50-6. Trimmer resistors R2 and R6 - SP3-3, other resistors - VS, MLT. Photoresistor R1 -SF2-2, SF2-5, SF2-6, SF2-12, SF2-16; you can also use the phototransistor FT-1.

The circuit board, together with the photoresistor, is placed in a plastic case of suitable dimensions. A hole is drilled in the housing wall against the photoresistor. The device is placed on the windowsill in such a way that diffused daylight falls on the photoresistor through the hole in the case and direct sunlight or light from artificial light sources does not fall. Connectors of any design can be installed on the body to connect to the power supply and dispenser.

A possible design of a dispenser installed on an aquarium is shown in fig. 2. For the sake of simplicity, the function of an electromagnet in it is performed by a slightly modified electromagnetic relay REN-18 (passport РХ4.564.706), which operates at a voltage of 6 V and provides sufficient force for the operation of the dispenser.

The dispenser itself consists of a cone-shaped hopper 2 made of thin metal (you can use a case from an aerosol preparation), glued to a cylindrical base 1 with a thickness of 5 ... 7 mm and a diameter of 15 ... 20 mm. At the base there is a through hole with a diameter of 5...7 mm, in which you freely move a thin-walled tube 3 with a dosing hole in the wall. A spring 9 is put on the tube from below, fixed with a washer 10 and a flared (or melted - for a plastic tube) end. The upper end of the tube is connected with a steel wire rod 4 to the lever 5, fastened to the anchor 6 of the relay 7. All contact groups of the relay are removed. The hopper and the relay are rigidly fastened to the base 8 of the dispenser.

Dry food is poured into the bunker. At this time, the dosing hole in the tube, the diameter of which is equal to the length of the tube stroke, under the action of the relay armature, must be blocked by the base of the hopper. When the relay is activated, its anchor through the lever 5 and the rod 4 shifts the tube up, the dosing hole in the tube opens and through it the food enters the aquarium.

Adjust the machine in this order. The resistor slider R2 is set to the upper (according to the diagram) position and the device is placed in the selected location. In the morning, in low light, by slowly increasing the resistance of this resistor, the dispenser is activated. Next, feed is poured into the hopper and, periodically shading the photoresistor, the trimming resistor R6 regulates the duration of the dispenser.

The operation of the device in automatic mode is controlled for two to three weeks and additional necessary adjustments are made.

Aquarium fish feeder
Fig. 2

Author: I. Nechaev, Kursk; Publication: cxem.net

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