From breadboard to PCB – Raspberry Pi Pico colour-changing alert using Monk Makes prototyping boards
However bold, printed warning signs are easily missed or ignored, so I’ve designed a responsive one, that lights up when someone gets close to a hazard – in my case a hot 3D printer – changing colour for greater urgency the closer you get.
Using simple components, and equally simple code, this is a great beginners Raspberry Pi project – and using the MonkMakes Pico Breadboard and Pico Proto PCB makes for an easy transition from prototype to product.
The design also uses some 3D printed parts, the files for which are available to download, free, from my website - along with the MicroPython code.
Note: this video is NOT sponsored by any of the manufacturers or outlets listed.
Link: https://paterpracticus.com/rgb-proxim...
Shopping list:
Reusable items:
Raspberry Pi Pico WH – £6.80
Monk Makes Breadboard for Pico – £4.20
Final bits:
Raspberry Pi Pico – £3.80
Ultrasonic Distance Sensor 3-5V – £3.90
Monk Makes Pico Proto PCB – £3.00
DF Robot RGB LED Backlight Module – £1.40
The Pi Hut’s Jumper Wire Kit – £3.90
Standoff Kit for Raspberry Pi – £2.20
Timecodes:
00:00 Project intro
00:33 Introducing the Pico Proto PCB
00:47 What we need
02:02 3D design overview
03:00 Wiring installation
06:19 Initial coding
07:21 RGB backlight panel
08:39 Coding the RGB LED
10:16 Varying the alert colours
12:37 Installing the LED panel on the breadboard
24:46 Conclusion
14:00 Installing the sensor
15:53 Hard-wired Proto PCB
16:43 Soldering the Raspberry Pi Pico
17:50 Transferring from breadboard to PCB
19:32 Final assembly
22:35 Testing
22:57 Adding the display message
23:47 Mounting in-situ