electronically minded people, help please.

CaveDweller

CaveDweller

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,946
Name
Paul
Edit My Images
Yes
Right, I'm a tight git and I don't really want to fork out for a water drop kit. So...I was thinking of getting a 12V solenoid specifically for water drops, it's always closed until power is put to it. Am I right in thinking I could just make a 12V circuit with a simple button switch and connect it to the solenoid, every time the switch is pressed and depressed it opens and closes the solenoid to drop the water. Doing it this way I wouldn't have to fork out for expensive control boxes for timing or make a circuit of my own, which I have no clue how to. I could just tap a button switch quickly twice for two drops and guess when I have to press the shutter release. I also realise I'd have to be quick pressing the button otherwise it will make a stream of water and not a drip.

Obviously there will still be lots of variables to get collisions, like my timing between pressing the button for the solenoid and camera release, but I reckon I would still have more luck than the home made kit I am using just now. At the moment I am having to get a steady stream of drops and hold a cup under it. I take the cup away for two drops and hope for the best. On average in about 3hours I get 2 pictures that MIGHT be worth keeping.

Laugh all you want about my idea, it's only a thought lol.
 
Ever thought of clockwork? :)

A serious suggestion actually. I'm sure there could be a way of controlling apparatus that would release a drop at a set interval.
This would let you anticipate when it was going to happen.
 
To be honest any way is better than what I'm doing just now lol. It's getting to the point where I can't be bothered trying with my home made rig. At least with a push button method or any other way to get drops in intervals I might get a bit more luck. Even if I get a few collisions with the push button and solenoid I might get into a rhythm and come away with a few more keepers. For what I'm using my pictures for though I can't justify spending £150+ on a special kit.
 
I just used a plastic bag with a small hole in it over a fish tank
 
I use a tap and stopwatch

:)
 
Are you just trying to drop a controlled amount of water each time? If so, just use a container fixed at the bottom so it can rotate. Have something preventing it from moving which you can take away to allow gravity to flip it over and empty.

Or to answer your question... Yes.

Steve.
 
Steve Smith said:
Are you just trying to drop a controlled amount of water each time? If so, just use a container fixed at the bottom so it can rotate. Have something preventing it from moving which you can take away to allow gravity to flip it over and empty.

Or to answer your question... Yes.

Steve.
Click to expand...
I get what your saying but no, just drops of water for collisions. I should have been more clear.

and thank you lol. £13 for a water drop solenoid and I could make a simple push button switch to drip the water manually, without fancy circuits. When my mate comes back from his travels I might ask him to make me a circuit to precisely control the drops. He's very clever at that sort of stuff, I wouldn't know where to start. I also have no way of contacting him till he gets back next month.
 
Suspend an icicle and warm it up :)
 
Buy a burette and stand from Ebay.

Fill it up, open the tap slightly and you'll have a steady stream of drops.

Dave
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top