Hornady and Dillon Powder Hopper Gauge and Alarm

thingiverse

**UPDATE 4/1/2019** - Added resized parts to fit on Dillon Hoppers. This was inspired by a video from Farrow Tech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2Si6LQx2WA. The demonstration it is about two years old and I haven't seen anything else like it so I decided to make my own version. Mine uses an ESP8266 NodeMCU, a ST7735S TFT display, a VL6180X time of flight sensor, and a rotary encoder. While Farrow Tech was able to make it without libraries, mine uses: * [ArduinoMenu](https://github.com/neu-rah/ArduinoMenu) * [streamFlow](https://github.com/neu-rah/streamFlow) * [TFT_eSPI](https://github.com/Bodmer/TFT_eSPI) - You will have to setup your TFT settings in the User_Setup.h file * [VL6180X](https://github.com/pololu/vl6180x-arduino) * [ClickEncoder](https://github.com/soligen2010/encoder) - This is a fork of the rotary encoder library ArduinoMenu uses by default and has some updates over the original * [arduinoWebSockets](https://github.com/Links2004/arduinoWebSockets) - This library is needed by newer versions of ArduinoMenu even though it doesn't do anything for this program The STLs are included and the original design file is on Onshape if you want to make a copy and adjust the design for another brand of powder hopper: [Onshape Design](https://cad.onshape.com/documents/c187c6855e5b717b6eb50d9e/w/ed8cc32766a24fa2c6d4d2bb/e/9d09fd4bb0b1d438497f7fdc) The Arduino Sketch, libraries, firmware.bin, and rotary encoder test sketch are all available on (Github)[https://github.com/nathandarnell/Reloading-Powder-Hopper-Level-Gauge-and-Alarm] Parts: My version uses an ESP8266 NodeMCU, a ST7735S TFT display, a VL6180X time of flight sensor, a rotary encoder, and some various hardware. * [NodeMCU ESP8266](https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-NodeMcu-Lua-ESP8266-CH340G-ESP-12E-Wireless-WIFI-Internet-Development-Board/233313358002?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649) - The case is designed to fit this particular board. If you use a different size/shape board or one with different pin definitions it may not work correctly * [1.77" TFT Color Display Module Breakout SPI ST7735S for Arduino UNO LCD](https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-77-inch-1-8-TFT-Color-Display-Module-Breakout-SPI-ST7735S-for-Arduino-UNO-LCD/222565215470?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649) - This particular screen seems to be sold very widely and if you use the same pins to wire it and use the same settings in User_Setup.h for the TFT_eSPI library, it should work fine * [For Arduino I2C Gesture Recognition Range Finder Optical Sensor Module VL6180X](https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Arduino-I2C-Gesture-Recognition-Range-Finder-Optical-Sensor-Module-VL6180X/302991764658?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649) - The Adafruit version of this sensor also seems to work correctly but is about 2x the cost * [Rotary Encoder](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BN3DGBS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) - See below for notes on what rotary encoders work well * [Buzzer](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VSHHFKJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) - Optional buzzer if you want an audible cue that when the powder is low * 6 M3 nuts * 2 M2.5 nuts * 6 M3 x 10 screws * 2 M2.5 x 10 screws Assembly: See the Github page for instructions and assembly photos