Light Sensor Pole - Pigrow

thingiverse

This is part of the pigrow garden automation project, a raspberry pi based growbox and garden automation system. For more information visit www.reddit.com/r/Pigrow or view the build video and info about the light sensors at; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn9-BZovK2U It was designed so I could compare the output of four light sensors beside each other, it's made to be easily moved and reconfigured to allow testing in various conditions but can also be fixed permanently into place to give a good repeatable reading from one or more sensors. The top sensor attachment plate can be easily switched to hold other sensors or converted with an angled piece to allow different positioning. The vertical bar has an attachment to hold connectors to allow easy rewiring or a cable clip to neatly hold wires. The bottom is designed to attach to a square plug or cruciform connector allowing it to be held firm while also being able to be repositioned easily. Sensor Plate The angle of the sensor plate can be altered using a joiner and an elbow piece so it can be moved to different orientations without needing to replace the vertical bar or wiring. There are several versions of the attachment plate, one for each of the sensors plus the combined one for comparing all sensors beside each other. The sensor plate has pins which line up with the holes in the sensor, press the sensor into place then press the holding plate on top to secure it. The plate has a 5mm square hole for attaching to the pole, if needed a small drop of superglue on the two side wings will lock it into position. WIring Connection Plate The 4 pin connection plate has holes for single pcb header pins, the connections from the sensors should be soldered to the short side which leaves the longer pin to connect to jumper wires from the pi's i2c pins. A small pin holds the wiring connection plate in place, or the piece can simply be glued. The same pin can connect a small clip to hold the wires, feed the wires through the small hole then click it into place. A T shaped piece can be used to hold it in firmly but isn't strictly necessary.