I threading I go

It is early in the weekend for New Eves but I am working on doing a python script for threading.  I need one of the esp32s to work on displaying lights but then stop when I tell it to, and then do something else.  So far it looks ok.  I think I put too much on my plate.

Neopixel sign

I have an update.  I have been working on a new neopixel sign to replace my older Halloween radio sign.  The Neopixel sign will be controlled by a esp32 client, which is controlled by a raspberry pi server.  I might be able to get it to display what is actually being played on the radio too.  I guess we will see.  I actually had help in producing the letters etc for the neopixels.  I want to give a shoutout to Clayton Darwin.  He actually has been helping with the code.  I actually didn't want to copy from what he sent, but learn from it.  Mainly because I almost need to make my own to get it work with server.  And plus it has a lot of functions that I really don't need.  But thank you Clayton!! 

Couldn't wait

I decided I couldn't wait for the esp32s that were coming from China to play so I got one from Amazon.  Came on Friday.  As you can see here I am connecting it to a RPI and programming it with Python.  The code that I had for the client that I have been messing with worked great on this little unit.  All I had to do was add a wifi connect code in the python code to get it to connect.  It worked great.  This particular esp32 I am going to connect it to a neopixel array and have it do a light show, with saying "Happy Halloween" and listing how many days until Halloween.  I can't wait.   The neopixels come today and then the power supply comes Monday.

Server progam for esp32

As I am waiting for the esp32 boards, I decided to start working on the program.  There is a server and client program.  There will be a server on a raspberry pi and then the clients will go on the esp32 boards.  Those will control each of my props.  Basically, what this does it the server will dictate which program runs etc.  Once a prop is finished, it tells the server its finished and then tells another prop to turn on.  I think it will look cool.

Esp32

Well, it's time to start planning again. I wanted to make a server to control all my props.  So, I bought 4 of these for 4 bucks each. Nice. I will keep it updated. Sorry, I didnt update blog. Girlfriend bought me a beagle pup and he has taken all my time.

The body

I have been thinking for a bit how I am going to connect this eye.  I thought of a wall. I thought of a few things.  Nothing really caught my attention.  Until I saw a photo of a floating demon on one of the Halloween sites.  I think it might be a good idea to go that route.  Also, I think I am going to get rid of the Halloween treat dispenser.   It would take two people to have it work during operation, so I didn't want to force my family to get stuck working it with me.

Little more eye movment

Sunday was very productive.  I got most of the goofy stuff fixed and am working on movement of the eye with the LEDs on.  I was able to get all three colors working. Red, Blue, and Green. But only one color is being tested here.  But things are coming along pretty good.    Now, I need to move to integrating the camera.  On this test, I am sending coordinates to the eye to see how it reacts and if I have any other issues I need to fix.

Got the eye moving

Starting on getting the eye to move.  Realized one of the servos was backwards.  But I got that fixed.  Going to have to mess with the motors a bit so I can get a idea of its range.  But its working!  Yay me!

Getting close for test

Last night I got all the wiring setup and connections to servos ready. I should get to do a test tonight or tomorrow.  Should be fun. I still need to make a spot for the webcam but I can do that later.

Free Monitor for RPI

So about a month ago I cracked my monitor that I was going to use for my treat dispenser. Today someone gave me a monitor. And it works good with the pi.

Eye led test

Today I added leds to eye. It should be cool when done.

HERE is the eye in the dark.

Fixture is progress

Fixture is coming along. Might have to connect less tomorrow. I cant wait to see this go.

Eye fixture

Been kind of lazy as of late. But this weekend I got back on the boat again.  This weekend I started to make holder for 2nd servo. Here is a pic.

Wings Motor now working

Today I got actuator and power supply.  So, today I was able to test it out.  Seemed to be working good.  Check out the video here.

Was sick but better now

Last couple of weeks I have been out. Got the flu. Worst one yet. Got back on my eye project. This is the main fixture I have been working on. Going slow since being sick. But I want to make sure the webcam fits.I

Oh, I forgot to mention that during my fixture building this weekend, my spider head fell and its fangs were broken off. Just my luck. Just another thing I have to fix.  I might have to revamp the fangs.

Eye Progress

Today I went back to working on the eye.  Bought a few parts for the back of the eye. Plywood and j hinges. I got the servo connectors on there and the main L bracket.  I forgot getting the RGB LEDS, so I will have to come back to that.  

Anyway, as I am working on the eye I noticed that the dome of the eye fits right over my bathroom clock.  I might have to see if I can use this as a frame of some sorts for the eye.  It also means I might have to buy another bathroom clock.

Trinket Arrived

I was able to get my Adafruit Trinket and I also got the relay that I ordered  This is for revamping my grim reaper with better animated wings.  As you can see it is fairly small for what it can do.   I also noticed that I ordered the 3.3v version instead of the 5 but it worked with this relay away.  So win win situation.  I can't believe it worked.  I have been tinkering with the software tonight.  I don't think I will have any issues doing what I want it to do.

Here is a little video of what I have done.  Just turns on relays etc.

Found Another Treat Dispenser

I have been looking around for treat dispensers that I feel might help me make mine more interesting.  I think this guy has a winner.  I really love the Super Mario treat dispenser. I don't think mine will be that interesting.  But maybe it will give me a few ideas to add to mine to make it more fun.   You will have to check it out.  I don't know how he got the kids away from it.

Research and buying

This weekend was a little bit more about learning and buying than actually putting things together.  I always find myself thinking about other projects as I am working on one.  Which is good and bad.  Because it takes me longer to get them done.  As I am spreading out with my other projects, I know I have gone to far when things start being brought back to my mancave.  As seen in this photo.  I guess my other lamp shade was in the way and was placed on my walking Dead dvd set.(Sighed of course)

I decided to go again and get the Adafruit trinket.  Which is a Circuitpython device.  You can program it in python and then have it turn things on etc.  The whole idea is to have a linuer actuator turn on and move the wings to a open state.  I thought this would be a good thing to have to have it turn my wings on for my grim reaper.  Which, now that I think about it has to be repaired before I can get the wings going.  I will get to that later.

Some scribbling I was doing for the wings.  I know, I suck at drawing.

So after all the messing around and stuff I was able to mess around with the eye so more. With the help of Gary Fong I was able to the back down for my eye.  Also bought the brass tube and 1/4 inch U Joint.   The brass tube fits around the U joint as he said but the 5/16 bolt seems a little loose.  Kind of worried about that.  I might have to see if I can find something a tad larger.

My old Grim Reaper

Was going across Adafruit website the other day and they were explaining a little bit more about their circuitpython board.  Which really got me thinking.  The Circuitpython board run on python and they have their own GPIO outputs/inputs.  Which I could certainly use.  Anyway, my old grim reaper prop's wings didn't come out as I had hoped.  I tried to make them animated but the weight of the latex really slowed things down.  I am thinking about revamping the wings and have the Circuitpython control the wings going up and down. I think I need not to add latex this time to the wings.  I also need to fix this scythe.  It was damaged by water and really needs a make-over.

Gary Fong Eye

Wanted to mention Gary Fong's eye because it is one of the props that I have been researching that I am using as reference.  His treat dispenser is a little bit different than mine but certainly looks great!  I do like the idea of putting little candy bars and have the servo kick them out which I feel is a good idea.  Check out his eye when you get a chance.

Today I got the 2nd arm for my servos. Now I just have to figure out the rest. To be honest I dont know how I want to go with it.

Frustrated but ok now

I have been working on the eye this weekend.  Even though I thought it was coming along good, I realized it wasn't when I checked it with a light in side.  Because sooner or later I am planning on putting leds in the eye to light it up.  What I didn't notice before was that I can see the cuts on the eye.  For me to place the eye on the plastic, I had to cut the eye in slits in order to get it down since the lamp shade was not a perfect circle.  I had a couple more eye pics printed out so I placed one on the inside so it would be harder to see those lines.  Well, it seemed t work. I might add more too it but for now it seems to fix that issue.

Also this weekend I checked the arm that I got for my servo that my friend made me.  Only one of them works, so I will have to ask for another one the same size.  It seems to fit the servo good.  I needed the extra length to give the servo extra swing to turn the eye.

Programming....

Programming has being going ok but was having issues running it from a separate computer.   I would just get errors which was getting frustrated.  Well, I found a work around by sending xhost +.  That gave me permission to run the video from the camera from a separate computer. Which I really needed to do.

Servo Arms

One of my concerns has been the length of the servo arms to control the eye. Because the eye is larger, I need a larger servo arm to get more of a swing to turn the eye. Servo Arms can get pricey if you need it larger. Lucky for me a friend from work got a 3d printer.   He has been helping with making the arms.  This will be the 6th and 7th try to get the size right. Wish me luck.

The eye

Today I started on the eye.   I decided to experiment on the lamp shade. I really like the way this is looking. All I did was print out an iris and place it on the shade. I think it looks good.