I've managed to move a bit further along with the proof of concept $2 sequencer, by creating this $1 version.
When you look at the video, keep in mind the float has a hole running through it, and isn't round. It also has dents in it so it doesnt seal very well.
The shape of the bottles mean the float doesn't roll to the bottom.
And to top it all off, in the video the float gets stuck on some brown packing tape as it's switching sides.
The entire thing leaks like a sieve, and only works one way because the float has an elongated end and doesn't settle into the other side.
There's nothing to stop it (except tinned tomatoes) rotating at will.
And my lighting and camera work leave a lot to be desired.
Other than those things, my selection of prototype materials is perfect.
If the float hadnt gotten stuck, was the correct shape, the bottles were a PVC tube instead, and there wasnt any brown packing tape involved, the float would then block the outlet on the left, and once the device became full again, would trigger to the right, swapping flow from one GB to another alternately.
When you look at the video, keep in mind the float has a hole running through it, and isn't round. It also has dents in it so it doesnt seal very well.
The shape of the bottles mean the float doesn't roll to the bottom.
And to top it all off, in the video the float gets stuck on some brown packing tape as it's switching sides.
The entire thing leaks like a sieve, and only works one way because the float has an elongated end and doesn't settle into the other side.
There's nothing to stop it (except tinned tomatoes) rotating at will.
And my lighting and camera work leave a lot to be desired.
Other than those things, my selection of prototype materials is perfect.
If the float hadnt gotten stuck, was the correct shape, the bottles were a PVC tube instead, and there wasnt any brown packing tape involved, the float would then block the outlet on the left, and once the device became full again, would trigger to the right, swapping flow from one GB to another alternately.
Normal, real world operation would see the amount of water flowing in, equal the amount flowing out. This would keep the ball afloat and off the outlet at the other end until the pump was turned off.
Each time the pump turns off and then on again as decided by a timer, the device would switch sides.
Each time the pump turns off and then on again as decided by a timer, the device would switch sides.
To make certain the flows match, it might be necessary to create an overflow for some water so we can put slightly more into the system than the outlets can deal with. The rest could be designed to overflow from a point in the funnel section where the water comes in, to a point near each outlet. This way the float would stay above the water inlet until the pump was turned off. The majority of the water flow could exit via the overflows if required, with the amount entering the device only sufficient to tilt it, and keep the float from sinking and sealing the hole.
In the real version, my $2 sequencer would be made of PVC, and have a float only a bit smaller than the diameter of the PVC. The holes would be larger as well, so that the float sat further in, committing them to seal better.
I think this proof of concept is successful enough to indicate I should make a real one.
I'm pretty sure it will work.
Currently my biggest issue with this device, is that I have no use for it.
In the real version, my $2 sequencer would be made of PVC, and have a float only a bit smaller than the diameter of the PVC. The holes would be larger as well, so that the float sat further in, committing them to seal better.
I think this proof of concept is successful enough to indicate I should make a real one.
I'm pretty sure it will work.
Currently my biggest issue with this device, is that I have no use for it.
Others do though, so it must be made.
[edit from the future - There is some additional material on sequencers. Readers might find this newer version in a post titled The Bullwinkle sequencer build of interest. It's a better design, and only costs around AU$15 to build with off the shelf PVC components]
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