Dog Feeding Reminder

This Dog Feeding Reminder lights up on a daily schedule that you set in the Arduino code.  Use it to alert you and other family members when it's time to feed your dog, then press the Button to turn off the alert.  Everybody in the family will know that your dog has been fed!

The default settings provide 2 alerts daily that are 8 hours apart - perfect for a morning and an evening feeding!  If you prefer a different schedule, simply use the Arduino IDE (available at https://www.arduino.cc/en/software/) or the Arduino cloud version to change the number of daily alerts and/or the number of hours between alerts in the "arduinoDailyTimer-v1.ino" sketch before uploading the code to your Arduino.

The Arduino IDE (or similar Arduino development tool) must be used to load the sketch onto the Arduino; you should do this before proceeding with the assembly of the Dog Feeding Reminder!

Important Note:  The Dog Feeding Reminder has no idea what time of day or what day it is - it starts a 24-hour cycle as soon as the Arduino is powered up.  You should provide power a few minutes before the time when you want the first alert of the day to trigger; everything else is based on that moment in time.  If the power fails or Daylight Savings Time begins or ends, then you should repeat the above just before the first alert time of the day!

REQUIRED (NON-PRINTED) PARTS...

Quantity:      Description: /
Cost (US$):    Source URL:  /
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1              Arduino Nano Every with headers [ABX00033]
$19.90         https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WWK29XF
Should be able to use any Arduino Nano compatible board of same form factor

1              6PCS 170 Tie Points Mini Breadboard Kit
$5.98 (for 6)  https://www.amazon.com/Ferwooh-Breadboard-Solderless-Prototype-Raspberry/dp/B0CZ6VKJH1
Any similar 170 point Breadboard should work - verify dimensions! We assume mounting tape on bottom!

1              Twidec/2Pcs 12mm Round Momentary Push Button Switch Red Pre-soldered
$6.99 (for 2)  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYG3S2H9
Other DigiKey options that may fit (not verified) are CIT Relay & Switch #EH12NMB3ZX or E-Switch #PV5S24019

1              Monoprice 3ft USB 2.0 A Male to Micro 5pin Male
$3.98          https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Male-Micro-28AWG-Cable/dp/B001U3SU8U
Any USB Micro Power Cable should work

1              2Pack USB Wall Charger Plug, AILKIN 2.4A Dual Port
$11.99 (for 2) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T82D4YF
Any USB Power Outlet should work

4              Optek Technology LED RED CLEAR 5MM T/H
$1.56 (for 4)  https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/tt-electronics-optek-technology/ovllr8c7/827139
Any similar Red LEDs should work - ideally 900+ mcd brightness and 90+ degree viewing angle!

4              RES 150 OHM 5% 1/8W AXIAL
$0.40 (for 4)  https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/stackpole-electronics-inc/CF18JT150R/1741590
Any 150 ohm 1/8 watt or 1/4 watt through-hole Resistor should work

6 - 8          560Pcs Jumper Wire for Breadboard Prototyping
$5.89          https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Breadboard-Expansion-Accessories-Prototyping/dp/B09F3FV1CF
Any breadboard Jumper Wires (24 AWG) should work (sometimes included with breadboard purchase)

4 - 8          300 PCS 3:1 Ratio Heat Shrink Tubing Kit
$7.99          https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GXCHVVF
Heat Shrink Tubing helps prevent shorted wires on the LED leads; Electrical Tape could be used instead

REQUIRED 3D PRINTED PARTS...

Note that you MUST use a filament for the Top that allows the LED light to shine through - such as Sunlu White PETG or any transparent / translucent filament!  Some filament brands don't allow much light to pass through - even if the filament is a light color such as white.

Bottom - all parts except USB Charger Plug fit into the Bottom - which can be screwed onto a wall with 2 drywall or wood screws that you provide.

Top - The Top slides over Bottom and clicks in place once all parts are placed inside and USB cable is plugged into Arduino.

All parts of the Dog Feeding Reminder can be printed in PETG or PLA.

The following photo shows all the purchased parts that are required:

The following 2 photos show the printed parts (Bottom and Top):

The following "fritzing" image shows the physical layout and wiring of the Breadboard:

The following "fritzing" image shows the circuit schematic:

The following photo shows the required orientation of the Breadboard (note the tabs on top and right sides) and the location of the Arduino Nano - which must be offset downward (not centered) to avoid the Switch:

The following photo shows preparation of the Switch and the LEDs with Resistors (requires soldering); note that the provided Switch wires are thick and stranded wire, so these 2 wires must be replaced with solid 24AWG wires:

The following photo shows all parts inserted into the Bottom:

The following photo shows all Breadboard wiring completed with excess wire pushed into Bottom:

The following photo shows the LEDs lit up (without the Top) when power is applied after assembly has been completed:

The following photo shows the LEDs lit up when it's time to feed your dog:

Once the above preparatory steps have been completed, complete installation and assembly as follows:

1 - Press the Arduino Nano into the Breadboard exactly as shown

2 - Plug the USB Power Cord into the Arduino Nano (must do this at this time for proper assembly!)

3 - Remove the liner from the double-sided tape on the bottom of the Breadboard and press the Breadboard into the tray on the Bottom

4 - Insert the 4 LEDs into the LED holders on the left and right sides of the Bottom

5 - Insert the Switch into the switch holder in the center of the Bottom (it's press-fit, the Switch washer and nut are not used!)

6 - Place a Jumper Wire on the Breadboard to bring 5V power to the right-most Breadboard row (per the "fritzing" image above)

7 - Connect Jumper Wires from the Switch to the Breadboard (per the "fritzing" image above)

8 - Connect Jumper Wires from the 4 LEDs with Resistors to the Breadboard (per the "fritzing" image above)

9 - Being very careful that wires don't come out of the Breadboard, gently push all the excess wire into the Bottom - avoiding the mounting hole area and making sure that no uninsulated wires touch each other or the Arduino pins!

10 - Bend the USB Power Cable as seen in the photo above to route it through the slot on the lower side of the Bottom

11 - Secure the Bottom to your chosen mounting location (near an outlet for the USB power supply) with 2 drywall or wood screws (or double-sided tape if you prefer)

12 - Slide the Top over the Bottom until it clicks (Top will be flush with the mounting surface)

13 - Plug USB cord into power source at the exact time of day that you want the first daily alert to trigger

Congratulations - you did it - your favorite dog thanks you!

NOTES:
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I have provided STEP (.stp) files for all parts to allow modifications to my design.

PrusaSlicer 3MF files have been provided for PETG.

G-code files have been provided for the Original Prusa MK4 for PETG.

The Dog Feeding Reminder seen in the photos was printed in Sunlu White PETG with a 0.4mm nozzle at 0.2mm layer height with a 25% honeycomb infill and 4 top and 4 bottom layers.

Be sure to check out my other designs - including honeycomb storage wall (HSW) accessories, universal key covers, and a diverse collection of household accessories and 3D printing tools - on Printables at https://www.printables.com/@PhilCaruso/models