Howdy all,
I've not used the Arduino yet, but would like to for a specific project. I want to get an RPM variable into flash via a turning crank. Someone spins a wheel and my RPM variable goes up in flash. What kind of hardware would I need to get my hands on for this, and are there any similar projects that have been done like this out there?
Someone spins a wheel and my RPM variable goes up in flash
In this world Flash is the sort of memory contained inside the Arduino. Do you mean the language Flash?
Ah, yeah, sorry. Adobe Flash is what I'm talking about for sure. Driving animation with rotation of a wheel. Basically just want to get velocity into Adobe Flash to drive some animation.
OK you need to get some device that gives you a velocity indication. So I assume when it is not spinning you do not want an output. At a first guess I would say you need a rotary encoder. This gives pulses out as it is turned and turns continuously. Have a look here:-
http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Main/RotaryEncoders
Awesome, that's exactly what I was lookin' for. Thank you!
You could glue a magnet (or maybe two or four magnets) onto a disc on that shaft, and have them operate a reed switch. A reed switch is a small glass tube with teo contacts inside, that close when a magnet comes near to them:
Your sketch code could then read the reed switch as if it was a pushbutton, and count switch closures in a given time. Or, time the intervals between switch closures; either way would work.