Relay-Triggered Cat Feeder

Technology
Relay-Triggered Cat Feeder

tt-eating

MAKE contributor Jonathan Foote turned an motion-activated candy dispenser into a cat feeder with the addition of an Evil Mad Science Art Controller coupled with an ordinary vacation timer. The Art Controller is a board with an ATtiny2313 and a relay, and is designed to be a simple solution for laypeople to safely trigger high voltage. Jonathan has the controller set to automatically trigger the relay when it powers up, so it immediately dispenses when the timer kicks in.

I hooked up the motor to the timed switch, and set it to run for seven seconds when it gets power, as it does when triggered by a timer. Since I had a 5V power supply I removed the voltage regulator from the art controller and used the holes for pin headers to connect the existing power supply and motor wires. The resulting hack will reliably and elegantly deliver meals to my favorite pet.

[via EMSL]

8 thoughts on “Relay-Triggered Cat Feeder

  1. shubham gupta says:

    Terminators are coming….. ;)

  2. Relay-Triggered Cat Feeder « Content Curated By Darin R. McClure & a few photos says:

    […] Relay-Triggered Cat Feeder: MAKE contributor Jonathan Foote turned an motion-activated candy dispenser into a cat feeder with the addition of an Evil Mad Science Art Controller coupled with an ordinary vacation timer. The Art Controller is a board with an ATtiny2313 and a relay, and is designed to be a simple solution for […] Read the full article on MAKE […]

  3. Mohammed Saeed Al Sahaf says:

    Thanks, I needed this!

    1. Mohammed Saeed Al Sahaf says:

      Wait, where are all the details?!

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!

My interests include writing, electronics, RPGs, scifi, hackers & hackerspaces, 3D printing, building sets & toys. @johnbaichtal nerdage.net

View more articles by John Baichtal

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK