Dreamcatcher With Arduino Rainbow
Introduction: Dreamcatcher With Arduino Rainbow
A few weeks ago, my daughter asked me about dreamcatchers and as most dad's do...I overwelmed her with fantastic stories about the power of dreamcatchers ....well..I might have overdone it a little because she was so impressed that she decided that she needs one! So, why not let her make one....well....that has something to do with the story I told her. True or not, but I kind of told her that a dreamcatcher is something that you will get as a gift. You can make one for a friend but if you make one for yourself, it will be a lot less powerfull. Duh, why did I say that? Now, I had to make her one! No, problem but, being an Electronic Engineer, it had to be special and it should include some sort of electronics!
As I starting point on how to build a Dreamcatcher, I used the following instructable:
https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-Dre...
So, I happen to have some smart leds and arduino laying on my desk doing nothing. So I decided to design a pcb for it that can be used to embed into you dreamcatcher. That way your dreamcatcher will have some lights that you can program. Using my arduino sketch she lights on the dreamcatcher will light up in various rainbow colors. It's a beautiful sight.
Supplies
- 1 PCB ( You can buy it at tinder store or build your own, schematics are provided)
Buy here:https://www.tindie.com/products/markdonners/dream-...
- Components on pcb ( Attiny85 and mostly leds, resistors, diodes and capacitors)
- In circuit programmer or extra arduino to upload the Arduino bootloader to the microcontroller)
- Some steel wire or rod to make an outer ring for the dreamcatcher
- Wire or wool to be used to make the dreamcatcher's web.
- A 9V Battery
Step 1: Learn About Dreamcatchers
A lot of information regarding dreamcatchers can by found online, for example:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamcatcher
If this is to much information to read, here is the short version in my own interpretation:
A dreamcatcher is a small handmade web made of (whool) wire and it 's main purpose ( other then decoration) is to keep away bad spirits while one is sleeping. 769
Bad dreams will be caught in the web and therefore the dreamcatcher is often hanged above a cradle or bed. A dreamcatcher should be given to others. you can make one for a friend or family or anyone as long as it's not you.( That last part might be absolute nonsense but it gives is somewhat of an extra touch)
Step 2: Design Your Dreamcatcher
There are two templates available that you can use to design your Arduino Dreamcatcher.
There is a blank form that you can use to design your own or you can use the one I already designed for you.
Once you designed ( or used the already designed one) and printed what you want to create,you can move one to the next step
Step 3: Assemble Your PCB
If you purchased a PCB without components, you'll need to buy them and assemble all yourself.
Start assembling the SMD components and solder the headers and USB connector last.
If you don't have any experience soldering SMD, you could choose to buy a assembled PCB.
The components in the BOM list are from my library. Components like resistors and capacitors may be replaced with different brands etc. No need to stick to the list as long as the value of the components is the same.
You can purchase a PCB from my Tindie store:
https://www.tindie.com/products/markdonners/dream-...
or you can make one yourself. PCB gerber files can be downloaded here:
http://www.judoles.nl/Projecten/dreamcatcher/PCB_p...
Step 4: Program the Bootloader
Bootloader
To us the ATTINY85 with the Arduino user interface you will need to install a bootloader onto the microcontroller first. Without a bootloader installed, communication between the microcontroller and the Arduino interface is not possible.
A bootloader is a little program that, when installed, will monitor some in/output lines of your microcontroller to see if the Arduino interface is trying to talk to it. It can be used for uploading a new sketch to your microcontroller without the use of a ISP programmer. It uses USB instead. 379