Week 5 - Journal

This week's task what to use some of electronics in our kits to make a simple 2 output device, I care about this idea because I was staying up late and was too lazy to make a cup of tea.

I decided that the only solution is to waste 10x the amount of time by making an electric stirrer, cuz that what we call efficiency up in this journal. 

Circuit Documentation

This circuit is built in parallel configuration, which means that the LED and DC motor are powered independently from the same voltage source. A switch is placed on the ground side of the circuit, so when the switch is closed, the current can flow and the circuit turns on.

A 1k ohm resistor is connected in series with the LED to limit the current, since the input supply voltage is 9V. This prevents the LED from burning out while still allowing it to light up properly. The DC motor is connected directly in parallel, receiving the same supply voltage.

Components Used

• 1 × Switch – controls the ground connection and acts as the main ON/OFF control for the circuit.

• 1 × Resistor (1k ohm) – limits current to the LED.

• 1 × LED – indicator light to show when the circuit is active.

• 1 × DC Motor – powered in parallel with the LED

• 1 × Power Supply (9V) – provides the input voltage.

I asked for some feedback on using the avometer and it was super helpful at debugging the circuit, especially the continuity to check for closed loops. 

At first I tried using this motor but I couldn’t get the stick to attach to the motor shaft like no matter how I tried to line it up it just wouldn’t stay secure. I thought maybe if I forced it or used some kind of glue it might hold but that didn’t really seem like a good long term fix. it would probably just slip off once the motor actually started spinning with some load. After messing with it for a while I realized it was just more trouble than it was worth so I ended up just swapping for the motor with a more suitable shaft that actually matched up better with the stick. That way it was basically plug and play and I didn’t have to fight with it every time.

The other solution I had in mind was to print some sort of coupler to stick it on the smaller motor. I was imagining like a little 3D printed connector that could adapt the shaft size and give it more grip. It definitely would have been a fun thing to design and print but at the same time it felt like more steps than I needed to take for what I was trying to do. Honestly just picking the motor with the right shaft from the start felt way easier to accomplish and saved me a bunch of trial and error. I guess if I wanted to get fancy or had more time, making the coupler could’ve been a nice project, but in this case simplicity won out.

For example not knowing which pins close this switch circuit when it's turned ON so I used the avometer to check each pair till i heard DIIIIING on the correct ones.

This week's sumo wrestling was really hype. The atmosphere, the music, everything made it a memorable day.
(don't have many pictures to share 🫠)