@androidarts@mastodon.gamedev.place
2026-03-21 20:55 UTC
Alright, I think I overcomplicated this. I wanted a clean binary startup signal for the fan to kick it into motion, so I used a comparator with the LDR (sun sensor). But the LM358 draws power in the mA range, eating battery. So I added a second LDR+tran to switch the whole circuit, but then I was back at the same analog gain problem. Possibly I could stagger the LDRs so sun hits one first.
Then tried a IRFZ44N mosfet thingy that might suffice standalone. Whole circuit is now uA range in shade.
Replies (1)
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@androidarts@mastodon.gamedev.place 2026-03-21 21:35
I wonder if it's possible to use a physical switch... like a leaf switch that heats up in the sun, makes contact, then cools and retracts. What DIY material do I have that expands in the sun that I can use for DIYing a switch? A sealed tube with water, and a flotation contact? Thermal switches seem to be a thing you can buy. some are be fluid expansion based judging by pics. I actually do have a few thermal switches. They're found in egg and water boilers, but might be the wrong temp.