Petnet.io feeder hack Blog/Video

[allen.sampsell]

Blog post is here: https://www.allenscloud.com/wordpress/2 ... ing-again/
I haven't made the YouTube Video yet... But if you have any questions or comments, this is the place.

Thanks!

[allen.sampsell]

What you'll need....

Affiliate Links:

WiFi Board: https://amzn.to/3g0377o


Wire connectors: https://amzn.to/2LFOYhz


18 Gauge wire: https://amzn.to/2Zc9ApP

OPTIONAL:

Wire Stripper: https://amzn.to/2WI8Uac

[allen.sampsell]

New video on how to do Option 2 fix for the Petnet Feeder. This one tells you how to wire that same $13 WiFi board from Amazon to directly control the motor and how much food comes out... Let me know if you have questions.

https://youtu.be/8SJ7n_RMAB8

[nelhenry]

Hi Allen,

Great job with the work-around to keep life to the PetNet feeder.

I'm a bit confused between the 2nd method in the blog post compared ti wiring directly as you post in the video.
If using the 2nd method in the blog post (not connecting directly to the motor) is a new power supply still needed? I'm trying to decide which method to use.

Ewelink can be connected with Hass.io or Homebridge, which allows for additional scheduling options, so I'm thinking the 2nd method in the blog post will work best for us because I can just have it run multiple times to dispense the right amounts on a schedule daily.

Thanks again for the guide!

Rob

[allen.sampsell]

Hello,

In version 1. You don't need a new power supply. But you can't control the exact amount of food you want to dispense. If it's at all possible I recommend going with option 2 from the video. Also, I appreciate the info on Hass.io and Homebridge. It's one of the areas I've been meaning to get into. Sorry for the late reply. I haven't had too many vistors to my forum. Well until now. This Petnet post has reached several thousand views. That's pretty amazing.

[sergiobaiao]

Hi Allen,

Why is it not possible to use method 2 and keep battery backup? The battery is able to provide 2.1 amps, which, i think, is enough juice to power both the motor and the relay board.

Isn't there a constant power supply from the battery in the lower part to the board in the upper part of the dispenser?

Also, i am a home automation integrator. I did a new project on this based on your idea, but instead of using an ewelink board i'm using a home automation module from Fibaro, as i have a Fibaro Automation system, called the Fibaro Smart Implant. It has two contact closures outputs and five inputs that can be attached to temperature, humidity and binary sensors.

Now i'll try to figure out how the builtin petnet sensor works, the one that notify when the pet doesn't eat all the food in the container. If it's a binary sensor, i'll be able to attach it to smart implant.

If anybody wants more information on my setup, just ask.

[allen.sampsell]

Hey, to be clear the battery backup could be implemented but I don't think it's as simple as hooking the battery leads to the new board. I assume there needs to be some sort of controller, to handle charging etc. So it's not that it can't be done. I just don't know how, and I doubt it's possible with just the new wifi board. I'd love for someone to show that it's possible. Might be an upgrade I would try. And the home automation stuff is awesome. I just haven't gotten into it yet. The cheap price point for the wifi board I used is one that that led me to it. I didn't want to spend a lot on a raspberry pi or some other solution. lol I'm cheap.