Life is all about figuring out issues that flip your crank and taking steps to make these issues occur. Your intestine will let you know what feels proper, after which one way or the other the world/life/universe/God has a approach of serving to you determine learn how to manifest your imaginative and prescient. Huge initiatives and thrilling adventures are nice, however typically little initiatives may be simply as satisfying. Through the years I’ve discovered that I like to resolve issues — and quadriplegia comes with a large number of issues to problem-solve. Usually the options pop into my head about 2 a.m., and as soon as they do, going again to sleep is just not an choice.

Studying to make computerized initiatives has been a dream of mine for a very long time however till lately has been out of my realm of experience. The arrival of Arduinos, low cost microcomputers in regards to the dimension of a stick of gum, has modified that. Now anybody could make themselves a design and programming knowledgeable.

In my final column I wrote about designing and constructing an Arduino-controlled system that flushes out my bladder and can hopefully stave off urinary tract infections. Whereas constructing it, I obtained to include some 3D design and printing, some pc programming, and for a couple of enjoyable days, some tinkering round with a buddy. The entire expertise was so satisfying that I got here away trying to find extra issues to design.

Listed below are three extra enjoyable initiatives my buddies and I’ve been engaged on.

Tinker 1: Quad Watering System

I like watching issues develop, however asking somebody to water a bunch of vegetation takes away from my enjoyment. As a quadriplegic, although, my dealing with a watering-can across the pc tools of my workplace would possibly make for excellent leisure to others, however to me has the potential to be extraordinarily costly.

The hamster in my head was operating at full velocity one night time making an attempt to plan a watering system I may management independently. Within the morning I scoured Google and YouTube for concepts, finally deciding on a system that might sense the moisture of the soil and have interaction a small pump to water if the moisture drops beneath the specified setting. Then it might wait a minute for the water to soak in earlier than resuming the soil check. 

I discovered plans on-line and the components had been available for about $20 plus 25 cents price of 3D filament to make a field for the electronics. With my buddy Dave serving to to tinker and solder, the venture got here collectively completely.

As my guinea pig, I used a spider plant that my spouse, Terry, feared was lifeless. It beloved the common, reasonable watering, and shortly sprang again to life. Terry has since moved extra vegetation into my workplace for “intensive care,” and I’ve modified the system to water 5 vegetation directly. I’ve additionally ordered components to make a couple of extra of those models. It’s so invigorating to have it come collectively and work completely. This method has develop into like a check mattress, and will simply be ramped as much as preserve a distant backyard from a water barrel or no matter else you may dream up.

Tinker 2: Voice-Activated Pliers

Constructing the watering system jogged my memory of how irritating it may be fidgeting with teeny, tiny wires and different small items with my quad palms. I stated to myself, “Self, for those who solely had voice-activated pliers, then you might.”

It appeared fortuitous that the Arduino boards I used to be studying about can settle for voice instructions. I known as my fellow quad-buddy Landon to select his mind about how voice-activated initiatives work. He despatched an image of a small module he’d constructed that lets him use his voice to manage a microcomputer. I bought the fabric to construct the identical setup he has. 

Whereas I waited for supply, my late-night hamster began operating once more. I watched a couple of movies — how I be taught all the pieces these days — and commenced to comprehend the potential of this method. My plan was to design and 3D-print some pliers that I may decide up with my quad palms and open and shut utilizing voice instructions. The microcomputer module Landon shared with me would management the pliers.

Ready for the voice board and servos was agony, however by the point they arrived, the design was printed, and placing all the pieces collectively solely took a day or so. Now I can decide up and plug the tiny wires into microcomputers, servos and different electrical elements. I may design, construct, program and check new electronics initiatives with no exterior assist. This supplies a brand new degree of independence for me and has me fascinated by what it might take to construct an extended, bigger voice-activated grabber that these of us with restricted dexterity may management by voice.

Tinker 3: A Higher Carry and Battery

Just a few years in the past, I discovered an incredible deal on a conveyable affected person elevate with a “new” battery included. Enthusiastic about how a lot simpler the elevate would make journey and transferring into automobiles, I bought it. I obtained it residence, charged it as much as check it and … nada. The battery was lifeless. I purchased a brand new battery for about $100, didn’t use the elevate for a 12 months, charged it, and once more it was toast. A little bit venting session with Landon revealed that he has three of those lifts and never one has a battery that may final.

However what if there was a available answer that was less expensive? Landon identified that my DeWalt weed trimmer makes use of a battery with just about the identical voltage — and I already had a number of of these round the home.  

The hamster sped up and my thoughts began racing. A fast Amazon order later and a $20 DeWalt battery adapter was on its approach. Dave and I brainstormed a controller that might allow my attendant to function the elevate with one hand and deal with a affected person with the opposite. Dave advised a distant winch-controller that might just do that.

We simply discovered an acceptable mannequin on-line and ordered it. After a day of tinkering, we efficiently bypassed all of the electronics and hooked as much as the actuator immediately. Dave examined its power by sitting on the elevate’s horizontal bar and using it up and down. Now the Hoyer elevate works completely with a distant winch-controller and 20-volt quick-change battery.