Prextron CHAIN BLOCKS - Arduino Nano controlled Ultrasonic sensor that switches a motor wirelessly using 433MHz RF modules and a relay board.

 

Description

In this tutorial, I will be evaluating Prextron CHAIN blocks – a new system that allows you to connect your sensors and actuators to an Arduino NANO using clever 3D-printed prototyping boards that can be stacked sideways. This very modular system makes it easy to connect, disconnect and replace project components, and eliminate the “rats nest of wires” common to many advanced Arduino projects. CHAIN BLOCKS are open, which means that you can incorporate any of your sensors or actuators to these prototyping boards, and you can decide which specific pin on Arduino you plan to use. The CHAIN BLOCK connections prevent or reduce common connection mistakes, which make them ideal for class-room projects and learning activities.

I am going to set up a project to put these CHAIN BLOCKs to the test:
When I place my hand in-front of an Ultrasonic sensor, the Arduino will transmit a signal wirelessly to another Arduino, and consequently turn on a motor.

 

Parts Required:

You need the following Prextron Chain Blocks

• Arduino Nano x2
• 433MHz RF Transmitter and Receiver modules
• HC-SR04 Ultrasonic sensor
• RGB LED module
• Relay Module

You also need a few extra components:

• DC motor
• 9V battery
• 9V battery adapter

Please note: You may need to solder the module wires to the CHAIN BLOCK protoboard.

 
 

Arduino Libraries and IDE

This project does not use any libraries. However, you will need to upload Arduino code to the Arduino. For this you will need the Arduino IDE which can be obtained from the official Arduino website:
https://www.arduino.cc/en/main/software

 
 

ARDUINO CODE: RF Transmitter

 
 

ARDUINO CODE: RF Receiver

 
 

Fritzing diagrams for Transmitter

 

 

 

 

 

Fritzing diagrams for Receiver

 

 

 

 

Concluding comments

The purpose of this project was to evaluate Prextron CHAIN BLOCKs and put them to the test. Here is what I thought of CHAIN BLOCKS at the time of evaluation. Some of my points mentioned below may no longer apply to the current product. It may have evolved / improved since then. So please take that into consideration

 

What I liked about Chain Blocks

• The design is simple, the product is simple.
• Once the Chain Blocks were all assembled, they were very easy to connect to each other.
• I can really see the benefit of Chain Blocks in a teaching environment, because it simplifies the connection process, and reduces connection mixups.
• It was good to see that the blocks come in different colours, which means that you can set up different colour schemes for different types of modules.
• You can incorporate pretty much any sensor or Actuator into the Chain block which is very appealing.
• You also have the flexibility of choosing which pins you plan to use on the Arduino.
• Projects look a lot neater, because you no longer have the rats nest of wires.
• The Blocks lock into each other which means that they are much easier to transport/carry.

 

What I did not like about Chain Blocks

• In most cases, the Chain Block protoboard lanes were not numbered, which increased the chances of making mistakes when soldering
• The need to solder modules to the protoboard, may be a discouragement for some people.
• I would have liked a choice of different size Chain blocks. Some of the sensors did not fit nicely into the Square blocks.
• Prextron really need to work on their website if they plan to get serious with this product: Webpage has incomplete functionality or irrelevant links etc etc.

 
 
 

Thank you very much to Prextron for providing the CHAIN BLOCKS used in this tutorial, and allowing me to try out their product. If you are interested in trying them yourself, then make sure to visit them at:

 
 
 
 
 

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Description: Prextron CHAIN BLOCKS - Arduino Nano controlled Ultrasonic sensor that switches a motor wirelessly using 433MHz RF modules and a relay board. Rating: 3.5 Reviewer: Unknown ItemReviewed: Prextron CHAIN BLOCKS - Arduino Nano controlled Ultrasonic sensor that switches a motor wirelessly using 433MHz RF modules and a relay board.

Arduino Selfie

 

My attention is drawn towards the noise behind me....
I cannot believe it.
There it is.

  The Arduino is taking a SELFIE !!

 

How did this happen?
 
Well actually, it is not that difficult for an Arduino.
 
I found out that my Canon Powershot SX50 HS camera has a port on the side for a remote switch. In the "Optional Accessories" section of the camera brochure, it identifies the remote switch model as RS-60E3. I then looked up the model number on this website to find out the size of the jack (3 core, 2.5mm), and the pinout (Ground, focus and shutter) required to emulate the remote switch. Once I had this information, I was able to solder some really long wires to the jack and connect up the circuit (as described below).
 

And before I knew it, the Arduino was taking Selfies !!!

 
Warning : Any circuit you build for your camera (including this one) is at your own risk. I will not take responsibility for any damage caused to any of your equipment.
 

Parts Required:

• Freetronics Eleven or (Arduino UNO compatible board)
• 4 Channel Relay Module
• 2x 330 ohm resistors
• 2 x diodes
• breadboard
• Jumper Wires (male to male)
• Jumper Wires (female to male)


• Canon Powershot SX50 HS - (here is the brochure)
• Three core, 2.5 mm Jack

 

Fritzing Sketch

 

 
 

Connection Table

 

 
 

Three core, 2.5 mm jack

 

 
 

Camera Connection to Relays

 

 
 

Jack pinout

 

 
 

Completed Circuit

 

 
 

Arduino Sketch

 

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/* ===============================================================       Project: Arduino Selfie        Author: Scott C       Created: 14th Sept 2014   Arduino IDE: 1.0.5       Website: http://arduinobasics.blogspot.com/p/arduino-basics-projects-page.html   Description: Arduino takes selfie every 30 seconds ================================================================== */  /*   Connect 5V on Arduino to VCC on Relay Module   Connect GND on Arduino to GND on Relay Module */    #define CH1 8   // Connect Digital Pin 8 on Arduino to CH1 on Relay Module  #define CH3 7   // Connect Digital Pin 7 on Arduino to CH3 on Relay Module    void setup(){    //Setup all the Arduino Pins    pinMode(CH1, OUTPUT);    pinMode(CH3, OUTPUT);        //Turn OFF any power to the Relay channels    digitalWrite(CH1,LOW);    digitalWrite(CH3,LOW);    delay(2000); //Wait 2 seconds before starting sequence  }    void loop(){    digitalWrite(CH1, HIGH); //Focus camera by switching Relay 1    delay(2000);    digitalWrite(CH1, LOW); //Stop focus    delay(100);    digitalWrite(CH3, HIGH); //Press shutter button for 0.5 seconds    delay(500);    digitalWrite(CH3,LOW); //Release shutter button    delay(30000); //Wait 30 seconds before next selfie  }

 

By connecting up the camera to an Arduino, the camera just got smarter !!
The Arduino connects to 2 different channels on the relay board in order to control the focus and the shutter of the camera. The relays are used to isolate the camera circuit from that of the Arduino. I have also included a couple of diodes and resistors in the circuit as an extra precaution, however they may not be needed.

Warning : Any circuit you build for your camera (including this one) is at your own risk. I will not take responsibility for any damage caused to any of your equipment. Do your research, and take any precautions you see fit.

 
 

The Video

 

 

 
 

If you like this page, please do me a favour and show your appreciation :

  Visit my ArduinoBasics Google + page.
Follow me on Twitter by looking for ScottC @ArduinoBasics.
Have a look at my videos on my YouTube channel.

 
 

 
 
 

However, if you do not have a google profile...
Feel free to share this page with your friends in any way you see fit.

Description: Arduino Selfie Rating: 3.5 Reviewer: Unknown ItemReviewed: Arduino Selfie

Relay Module

WARNING: Mishandling or incorrect or improper use of relays could result in

• serious personal injury or DEATH
• possible physical damage of the product
• faulty operation
• or create serious/dangerous hazards.

Please make sure that you read and understand how your relay/relay module board works, the voltage and current it is rated for, and the risks involved in your project BEFORE you even attempt to start putting it together. Seek professional and qualified assistance BEFORE you undertake ANY high power projects.

If you choose to follow the instructions in this tutorial, you do so at your own risk. I am not an electrician, and am not a qualified electrical engineer - so please do your research and seek advice BEFORE undertaking a project using a relay. Please check your connections and test them BEFORE turning the power on.

I accept no responsibility for your project, or the risk/damage/fire/shock/injury/death/loss that it causes. You take full responsibility for your actions/project/creation, and do so at YOUR OWN RISK !!!

Please note: It is illegal in some countries to wire up a high power project without an electrician. Please check your country's rules/laws/regulations before you undertake your project. If you have any doubts - don't do it.

 

What is a relay

A Relay is an electrically operated switch. Many relays use an electromagnet to mechanically operate the switch and provide electrical isolation between two circuits. In this project there is no real need to isolate one circuit from the other, but we will use an Arduino UNO to control the relay. We will develop a simple circuit to demonstrate and distinguish between the NO (Normally open) and NC (Normally closed) terminals of the relay. We will then use the information gained in this tutorial to make a much more exciting circuit. But we have to start somewhere. So let's get on with it.

Parts Required:

• Freetronics Eleven or (Arduino UNO compatible board)
• 4 Channel Relay Module
• 2x LEDs
• 2x 330 ohm resistors
• Jumper Wires (male to male)
• Jumper Wires (female to male)

Fritzing Sketch

 

 
 

Table of Connections

 
 

Arduino Sketch

 

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/* ===============================================================       Project: 4 Channel 5V Relay Module        Author: Scott C       Created: 7th Sept 2014   Arduino IDE: 1.0.5       Website: http://arduinobasics.blogspot.com.au   Description: Explore the difference between NC and NO terminals. ================================================================== */  /*   Connect 5V on Arduino to VCC on Relay Module   Connect GND on Arduino to GND on Relay Module    Connect GND on Arduino to the Common Terminal (middle terminal) on Relay Module. */    #define CH1 8   // Connect Digital Pin 8 on Arduino to CH1 on Relay Module  #define CH3 7   // Connect Digital Pin 7 on Arduino to CH3 on Relay Module  #define LEDgreen 4 //Connect Digital Pin 4 on Arduino to Green LED (+ 330 ohm resistor) and then to "NO" terminal on relay module  #define LEDyellow 12 //Connect Digital Pin 12 on Arduino to Yellow LED (+ 330 ohm resistor) and then to "NC" terminal on relay module    void setup(){    //Setup all the Arduino Pins    pinMode(CH1, OUTPUT);    pinMode(CH3, OUTPUT);    pinMode(LEDgreen, OUTPUT);    pinMode(LEDyellow, OUTPUT);        //Provide power to both LEDs    digitalWrite(LEDgreen, HIGH);    digitalWrite(LEDyellow, HIGH);        //Turn OFF any power to the Relay channels    digitalWrite(CH1,LOW);    digitalWrite(CH3,LOW);    delay(2000); //Wait 2 seconds before starting sequence  }    void loop(){    digitalWrite(CH1, HIGH); //Green LED on, Yellow LED off    delay(1000);    digitalWrite(CH1, LOW); //Yellow LED on, Green LED off    delay(1000);    digitalWrite(CH3, HIGH); //Relay 3 switches to NO    delay(1000);    digitalWrite(CH3,LOW); //Relay 3 switches to NC    delay(1000);  }

 

The Red light on the Relay board turns on when power is applied (via the VCC pin). When power is applied to one of the Channel pins, the respective green light goes on, plus the relevant relay will switch from NC to NO. When power is removed from the channel pin, the relay will switch back to NC from NO. In this sketch we see that power is applied to both LEDs in the setup() method. When there is no power applied to the CH1 pin, the yellow LED will be on, and the Green LED will be off. This is because there is a break in the circuit for the green LED. When power is applied to CH1, the relay switches from NC to NO, thus closing the circuit for the green LED and opening the circuit for the yellow LED. The green LED turns on, and the yellow LED turns off.

I also show what happens when you apply power to a channel (eg. CH3) when there is nothing connected to the relay terminals. The respective onboard LED illuminates. This is useful for troubleshooting the relays, and knowing what state the relay is in (NC or NO). NC stands for Normally closed (or normally connected) NO stands for Normally open (or normally disconnected)

Here is a circuit diagram for two of the relays on the relay module (CH1 and CH2).
This was taken from the iteadstudio site.

 

 
 

The Video

 

 

This tutorial will become very useful in the future. I now have an easy way of switching a circuit electronically. Yes, I could do this with a transistor, but sometimes it is nice to hear that mechanical click. I am not sure why I like relays, but I find them to be quite fun !!

If you liked this tutorial - please show your support :

 
 

 
 

Description: Relay Module Rating: 3.5 Reviewer: Unknown ItemReviewed: Relay Module