Blynk Board Washer/Dryer Alarm

Pages
Contributors: jimblom
Favorited Favorite 9

Introduction

We created the SparkFun Blynk Board to solve problems. Big problems -- like keeping plants healthy -- and problems trending closer to the "first-world" end of the spectrum -- like a phone-alerting laundry monitor.

alt text

This tutorial demonstrates how to pair the Blynk Board with an MMA8452Q Accelerometer Breakout to create a shake-sensing laundry monitor. Once the laundry is done, the electronics will communicate with the Blynk app -- over Wi-Fi -- to send your phone a push notification.

alt text

Together, the Blynk Board and app will allow you to power through laundry day as quickly and efficiently as possible!

Required Materials

The wishlist below includes all of the electronics and components you'll need to follow along with this tutorial:

In addition to those breakout boards and cables, this project also requires a bit of soldering. A simple soldering iron, some solder, wire strippers, and a flush cutter should be all you really need.

Solder Lead Free - 15-gram Tube

Solder Lead Free - 15-gram Tube

TOL-09163
$3.95
4
Soldering Iron - 30W (US, 110V)

Soldering Iron - 30W (US, 110V)

TOL-09507
$10.95
7

Flush Cutters - Hakko

TOL-11952
17 Retired

Wire Strippers - 30AWG (Hakko)

TOL-12630
3 Retired

Suggested Reading

To follow along with this tutorial, you'll need to program your Blynk Board with new firmware. Hopefully, by this point, you've already exhausted the Project Guide and set your computer up to program the Blynk Board using Arduino. If not, check out either -- or both -- of those tutorials first.

This project builds on a handful of electronics concepts. If your unfamiliar with any of the subjects below, consider reading through that tutorial first.

How to Solder: Through-Hole Soldering

This tutorial covers everything you need to know about through-hole soldering.

Accelerometer Basics

A quick introduction to accelerometers, how they work, and why they're used.

I2C

An introduction to I2C, one of the main embedded communications protocols in use today.

MMA8452Q Accelerometer Breakout Hookup Guide

How to get started using the MMA8452Q 3-axis accelerometer -- a solid, digital, easy-to-use acceleration sensor.