Hey there,
I have a several enquiries to ask regarding my Arduino Project
But before that, I would like to explain what my project is about:
As you can see from the images,
I plan to make an automated timer system where
System 2 detects the tray placed on it through a switch, in which if the tray is placed on the sensor,
System 3's timer will start counting down. If it detects the tray for more than 3 hour 55 minutes it gives an audio cue, and then if it still isn't removed from the tray after more than 4 hours, there will be an audio cue. The timing of whenever the tray is placed on and removed from the switch is sent to the System 1.
Initial plan:
System 3 will be displaying the timer and displaying REMOVE if tray isn't removed after allocated time
New Plan:
System 3 will be an arduino connected to a timer bought from the market (NOT A MODULE),
as I believe that will save me time from trying to code the timer + display system. So whenever system 2 starts to detect timer, it will send that information through a NRF 24 L01 timer to System 3 and 4 hours of countdown will start commencing and also audio cue happening at 3hours 55 minutes and 4 hours respectively. What I also want to do is that System 1 will have a log of all the times tray was placed and the duration placed. Ideally, I want it to also highlight whenever time exceeded 3 hours and 55 minutes
Questions:
What kind of market available timers allow me to code it in such a way that I can integrate it with my arduino as mentioned in my new plan? Can you show me a few examples?
What sort of extra components should I purchase for my new plan?
What extra components should I buy to allow me to perform data logging?
Components list that I have right now:
1 x Arduino Mega
2 x Arduino Nano
2 x 9V battery and Battery holder to connect to arduino to power it up
Momentary Switch
3x NRF 24 L01 Transmitters
1x MH Real Time Clock Module
LCD 2x16 Display (I dont plan to use this anymore if I can find a timer to use)
Your help would mean the world to me. Thank you so much!
Why do you think you need an external timer module? How accurate does the 3hr 55min and 4hr have to be?
Where do you want to log the data to? Perhaps an SD card that can be removed to the log contents can be read on a PC?
Those 9V rectangular batteries are a poor choice for powering Arduinos. I power something similar to a Nano (+RFM69HCW radio module) off 3x AA batteries and I'm getting at least 6 months life, and often more than 9 months off one set of batteries.
I'm not understanding from your description, why you need System3. Can this not be done on System2?
If you believe there is such a timer, you must do the research to find it. I suspect you will spend more time finding such a timer than you would save by coding the timer & display, and still not find anything that fits your particular requirements.
I saw the images from @arduinoo17 's previous topic, which was quickly deleted. One image showed a cafeteria/canteen with a long row of trays containing various hot foods. Positions of systems 1 (back in the kitchen somewhere), 2 (one of the trays) and 3 (somewhere just above one of the trays). 2 and 3 appeared close together, so I am also wondering why they have to be two separate systems.
The other image was a flow chart. I suspect this was @arduinoo17 's first ever attempt to draw a flowchart, because it was rather confusing.
Your flowchart is much easier to understand than the text, but it sounds like the text explains the physical layout that the flowchart doesn't. Let me see if I get it.
a) One system only exists to monitor a switch/pushbutton and signal another system
b) The second system receives that on/off signal and controls a timer
c) The third system logs and displays the on/off/expiration times
Is that correct? If so it sounds like system 1 & 3 can be combined. The only purpose of system 2 appears to be as a remote switch (perhaps to avoid physical wiring?)
you are right, the reason why system 1 is needed is because there will be multiple timers so system 1 will ultimately act like a timer, and i want to avoid physical wiring
You're going to need to provide power to each system, and that will need wiring, or frequent battery changes.
Will system 2 be able to monitor multiple switches and system 3 run multiple displays? It should be possible. System 2 could monitor 30+ buttons, no problem. System 3 can probably run 6+ displays.
