forums user HarpDude! This is definitely a tool that every maker workbench needs. (And always fun to see what makers manage to cram inside small ABS plastic enclosures.)
There are a few fundamental devices that beginning makers design: clocks and solder fume extractors. After many, many years of making, I thought it was about time to finally build the latter. Requirements: 1) small, no larger than 3x5x3 inches, 2) low-profile, 3) rechargeable battery powered with 1-2 hour run time, 4) activated carbon filter, 5) low noise, 6) USB port for gooseneck work lamp, 7) at least one colorful LED status indicator. To meet #3, I added a low-power motion detector to watch the parked soldering iron, only turning on the fan for a predefined period when the iron is removed. I also adjusted the enclosure design so that the motion detector would work with right-handed and left-handed solderers. Here’s the wiring diagram and parts list.
Using a 500mAh battery, the unit runs for about 4 hours between charges when used nominally (~20% fan duty cycle, 100% medium-brightness lamp duty cycle). During the motion detection mode test (power on, blue LED indicator glowing, USB lamp off, fan not running), the extractor patiently waited for over 28 hours for me to start soldering — I terminated the standby test out of boredom.
The PowerBoost 500C was perfect for this design. Thanks Adafruit!
PowerBoost 500 Charger – Rechargeable 5V Lipo USB Boost @ 500mA+: PowerBoost 500C is the perfect power supply for your portable project! With a built-in battery charger circuit, you’ll be able to keep your project running even while recharging the battery! This little DC/DC boost converter module can be powered by any 3.7V LiIon/LiPoly battery, and convert the battery output to 5.2V DC for running your 5V projects. Read more.
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Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
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