I broke my Nano Controller // PCOMP W1

Sep 8, 2024

Some trouble along the way

When I started my practice for physical computing (PCOMP), I made a fun  mistake. I spent too much time going through the components and not enough time reading about the nano controller. In my eagerness, I used my AC/DC power converter and ran it through my Arduino controller. Big mistake! The controller's lights by the USB port briefly lit up, then turned off as it started to heat up. I think I broke it!?`

Back to the Basics

After my initial setback, I went into the notes and spent a lot of time thoroughly reviewing the material and even drew out components with their circuit diagram equivalents. This helped ground me for the work ahead.

Lab 1: Components

This part was pretty straightforward, especially since I had already drawn the components earlier. Here are some pictures:

Lab 2: Setting up the Breadboard

Setting up the breadboard was also quite straightforward. I found a naked breadboard in the junk pile, which was super helpful in understanding how the connections work internally - both along the center and on the sides.

However, I made a mistake here. I added a 125V DC power supply to my Arduino, which only takes up to 7-21 volts. I guess I shorted it? For the rest of the exercises, I used a 12V DC power supply I found in the waste bins.

Lab 3: Electronics and Using a Multimeter

Most of this was fairly straightforward too. I noticed something interesting though - when I used different LEDs in parallel, power only went through one. I figured this must be because electricity follows the path of least resistance, and some LEDs have less resistance than others.

Link to Video

Lab 4: Switches and Pushbuttons

I really enjoyed this one! I played around with different switches and experimented with the conductive properties of various materials. I tried water, a pencil, a fruit, my hands, and tin foil. 





I also experimented on the bread board using parallel and series circuits to spell out the letter S with LED’s

Link to Video

The Assignment: "Blow Me!" - An Absurd Device

For my assignment, I wanted to build something absurd after playing with the motor. So, I designed "Blow Me!" - a device that lets you blow air on yourself to cool down. Here's how it works:

1. I used regular kitchen aluminum foil as a switch due to its conductive properties and thinness (it moves when you blow on it).
2. I added a light for visual feedback when you blow.
3. The switch gives you both visual feedback and works on your sense of touch/feel.

Challenges and Solutions

1. Power issues: The 12V DC supply was too much for LEDs to handle (I blew out my first one). It also made the motor shake violently.
   - Solution: I added two 3.3 Ohm resistors. Using V = IR, I calculated how to reduce the current by applying enough resistance.  

2. Airflow direction: I needed the fan to blow air away from the motor instead of behind it.
   - Solution: I discovered that reversing the motor's wiring made it rotate in the opposite direction. I marked the + and - on my motor and reversed the circuit.

3. Propeller problems: Paper and cardboard propellers weren't durable and kept falling off.
   - Solution: I 3D printed a propeller using Rhino to design it. I measured the motor cog width, scaled the design, printed it, and attached it.

The Final Product

I drew a diagram to visualize my idea, took some measurements, and started cutting and making the switch. I soldered all the parts together, closed the circuits, and it worked!


Interestingly, my switch is also kind of a transducer - it's essentially a wind sensor! When someone blows on it, it detects the wind and closes the circuit to blow back at them.

You can email me here. I’m pretty active on Twitter, occasionally pop into LinkedIn, and surfing the internet through Are.na.

©2019-2025 SURYA NARREDDI.

You can email me here. I’m pretty active on Twitter, occasionally pop into LinkedIn, and surfing the internet through Are.na.

©2019-2025 SURYA NARREDDI.