Ideas for a tilt sensor

[DannyBoy99]

Hello all,

I am looking for a way to produce a very simple & cheap tilt detector circuit with an audio output which sounds when the sensor is level. Accuracy should be to within a few degrees. I have seen a few basic tilt senors at RS etc, and was wondering if anyone had implemented these in projects, or know of where one might find a pre-fab unit for under $10.

I have a basic electronics background, but its been a while since I put my skills to good use, so be gentle!

Many thanks.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Couple of things for a start.

1) Fill your location in on your profile so we know where you are.

2) Don't use the abbreviation RS as it's completely confusing, either use 'RS Components' or 'Radio Shack' to avoid confusion.

 

[DannyBoy99]

Apologies. I'm from England and I meant Radio Shack.

Filling the profile in now...

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Apologies. I'm from England and I meant Radio Shack.

So you're from England?, yet you use RS to mean the American Radio Shack and not the English RS Components, and you mention dollars in your post (but don't specify which dollars they might be?).

You see why people get confused!.

 

[DannyBoy99]

You know, a lot of us avoid forums in general, as they are full of people like you Nigel.

People who are so obsessed with their precious forum ettiquette, that they would rather fire off a lecture on the right manner in which to word a post, than offer a few lines of advice which could be enough to solve someone's issue.

You might be a 'Super Moderator' on this forum Nigel, but it's still manners and personality that matter in the real world.

Feel free to write a cutting reply for the benefit of your peers. I wont read it.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

You know, a lot of us avoid forums in general, as they are full of people like you Nigel.

People who are so obsessed with their precious forum ettiquette, that they would rather fire off a lecture on the right manner in which to word a post, than offer a few lines of advice which could be enough to solve someone's issue.

You might be a 'Super Moderator' on this forum Nigel, but it's still manners and personality that matter in the real world.

Feel free to write a cutting reply for the benefit of your peers. I wont read it.

No cutting reply needed - but what's your problem?.

I made no mention of forum ettiquette?, merely asked you to ask your question so it makes sense - this is to avoid the 4 million posts by people answering the wrong question because you were unclear.

These (like any others) are worldwide forums, you need to bear that in mind and not post in a confusing manner - many members here don't speak English as a first language (or indeed as a second one) - so bear that in mind when you post.

 

[Mike - K8LH]

I didn't have any trouble understanding his question, though I do appreciate when posters provide their location.

 

[Optikon]

Hello all,

I am looking for a way to produce a very simple & cheap tilt detector circuit with an audio output which sounds when the sensor is level. Accuracy should be to within a few degrees. I have seen a few basic tilt senors at RS etc, and was wondering if anyone had implemented these in projects, or know of where one might find a pre-fab unit for under $10.

I have a basic electronics background, but its been a while since I put my skills to good use, so be gentle!

Many thanks.

So you want an actual tilt-switch? not analog sensor (that outputs angle). I've seen these for under $10 at digikey. I dont recall how accurate though.. a few degress seems reasonable. I would recommend buying one of these and not trying to fabricate your own. It'll save you lots of time & headaches.

P.S. Nigel is just trying to run a tight ship. You should see some of the confusing/time-wasting posts that show up on this forum from time to time

 

[JimB]

You know, a lot of us avoid forums in general, as they are full of people like you Nigel.

O DannyBoy, of three posts experience, Nigel is one of the helpfull people, just keep your cool and you will be rewarded with the info you require.

People who are so obsessed with their precious forum ettiquette, that they would rather fire off a lecture on the right manner in which to word a post, than offer a few lines of advice which could be enough to solve someone's issue.

He was trying to clear an ambiguity, UK/US, £/$, Rat Shack/ Radio Spares.

Feel free to write a cutting reply for the benefit of your peers. I wont read it.

If that means that you are not coming back, then I guess I have wasted my time also.

JimB

 

[HarveyH42]

Okay, almost done laughing now... Sorry, who can resist british humor.

First, the third degree... Any device or component that could in anyway be used for evil, terroristic intent comes into question. We all have to do our part, as they are very sneaky little bastards, that don't even care if they blow themselves up. Maybe your project isn't a weapon of mass destruction, but it might be twisted into something horrific, so we are a little cautious (paranoid for some).

The tilt switch... Well, it would help if we knew what you intent to use it in, there are many different choices and applications. There are mercury tilt switches like in thermostats. But you mentioned something about accuracy within a few degrees. How many axis of motion, and what range of movement? A metal ball bearing in a cage could give you directions a degrees. There are tilt sensors for car alarms, but I think vibration sensors are more common.

This is a pretty good forum, lot of good information, often amusing. Although, it's usually cultural differences that spark arguements, occasionally people of the same country have a difference of opinion. Just try not to hold a grudge, most of these people are reasonably civilized (except some canadians, but then they don't see any harm in moose-sodomy, as a sport).

 

[HiTech]

I think Danny Boy's tilt sensor got triggered! I too initially thought he was here in the states from his original post.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

I didn't have any trouble understanding his question, though I do appreciate when posters provide their location.

Good, answer him then!. Presumably you're familiar with the sensor he's asking about?.

 

[Mike - K8LH]

Good, answer him then!. Presumably you're familiar with the sensor he's asking about?.

No, I'm not familiar with tilt sensors. Sorry. But I did feel it was important to mention that the OP's question was clear and concise enough for me and at least a couple other posters since then. And you're certainly entitled to your rantings whenever you feel so inclined (the entertainment value is priceless).

 

[JimB]

Okay, almost done laughing now... Sorry, who can resist british humor.....

....(except some canadians, but then they don't see any harm in moose-sodomy, as a sport).

You are not doing too badly yourself, now that I have picked myself up off the floor.

JimB

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

No, I'm not familiar with tilt sensors. Sorry. But I did feel it was important to mention that the OP's question was clear and concise enough for me and at least a couple other posters since then. And you're certainly entitled to your rants whenever you feel so inclined.

Perhaps you're not familiar with RS Components?, commonly known as RS throughout the world? - they are essentially an industrial component supplier, with a MASSIVE stock range. Certainly as a company they are FAR more likely to stock an obscure sensor than Radio Shack, who (like Maplin in the UK) are barely in the component business any more.

Considering the RS catalogue now totals probably a foot thick (split into 6 volumes), it wouldn't be amusing trying to find something in their which doesn't exist, because the request wasn't clear.

Certainly though, in this case, his location probably wouldn't have helped, as he was asking an American question from England? - which seems bizarre to say the least?.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

You are not doing too badly yourself, now that I have picked myself up off the floor.

Isn't a moose like a big deer?, and don't you have lots of deer in Scotland?

It's mainly sheep round here, I don't think anyone ever thought of deer, perhaps it could be a new craze!

 

[Mike - K8LH]

Perhaps we're not "zeroing in" on the same key points in the OP's request. The original poster;

(1) is looking for a way to produce a simple/cheap tilt detector circuit with AF output with accuracy to within a few degrees
(2) has seen a few basic tilt sensors and wonders if anyone has used them in projects or knows where he might find a ready made sub-system for under $10

So it seems to me that if someone couldn't qualify their experience and/or expertise to either of those criteria then they probably didn't really need to respond at all. However, you're certainly within your rights to "nit-pick" those other aspects of the OP's post (grin).

 

[philba]

Well, dannyboy is probably gone but he did have a valid point.

I, too, thought his question was quite clear. Also, I didn't think his confusion was from not finding the part but rather knowing what to look for. Often tilt sensors are rather crude, made to indicate tilt past a certain angle. They are used in cameras to determine picture orientation or vending/pinball machines to indicate abuse. I think an accelerometer would be a better bet for determining angle. You can get adxl202s for like $8 from a US mail order place.

[soapbox]
It bothers me to see people driven away. Yeah, he had some ambiguities in his post but they didn't detract from the question. and, frankly, he was a bit thin skinned. In the scheme of things, this was a most mild example of the abuse that can often get heaped on people by more than a few that are around here. There is entriely too much gratuitious abuse. It's pretty amazing to see some one say something slightly wrong and get a "Hello? did you get dropped on your head???" or similar. Hell, it doesn't even take an error, it's often just opinion. Also, frequently one abusive post leads to a piling-on. Like we were scrimming or something. Some people appear to be on a jihad of rudeness. It really doesn't take that much to be civil.
[/soapbox]

 

[HarveyH42]

I'm sure there are many posts that we don't get to see, thanks to Nigel. The moderators to a great job keeping this forum clean of spam, pornoraphy, and piracy. I've followed links from google into some pretty messed up forums, where apparently moderation isn't used. He's only human, and does his best.

How can any give any real useful suggestions, without any hint of the application. A simple/cheap tilt detection circuit with audio output when level, leaves it wide open. A mercury switch and a piezo beeper would probably fit the requirements given, but most likely not what he wanted.

Personally, I hate digging out an old circuit (not very organized, sometimes takes some looking) for a request like this, only to find out its not even close. Like the guys who want a circuit to flash an LED. Simple oscillator. They so no, flash to music, color organ. Again, no, needs to sequence several LEDs to music, 3914 bargraph. NO, I want it to FADE between LEDS, couldn't I just do it with a PIC!

For all we know, Dannyboy just wanted a circuit to let him know when he was about to spill his beer.

 

[philba]

Actually, Danny's post was reasonably clear - "I am looking for a way to produce a very simple & cheap tilt detector circuit with an audio output which sounds when the sensor is level. Accuracy should be to within a few degrees." A lot clearer than most. If you don't think it's obvious what they want, I suggest you don't put any effort into it.

I don't disagree, we get a lot of vague requests from vague requesters. But I really don't think nit picking the guys posting is worth while.

and, like I said, this was a very mild case. It isn't about moderation - of which I have absolutely no complaints.