Skip to content
  • MySensors
  • OpenHardware.io
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
Skins
  • Light
  • Brite
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Brand Logo
  1. Home
  2. OpenHardware.io
  3. Dimmable LED kitchen light (Arduino, APDS-9960, RGBWW led)

Dimmable LED kitchen light (Arduino, APDS-9960, RGBWW led)

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved OpenHardware.io
arduinoapds-9960
37 Posts 13 Posters 13.1k Views 12 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

    I would like to remove the need for holding still to "lock" the light level, but it is a bit hard since the sensor will get several readings while I remove my hand which will set the light level at all sorts of values.

    Setting a timeout that "resets" the level to an earlier value when the sensor stops detecting should be possible, but will require some experimenting to get right.

    Implementing a PID regulator might be useful as well, but would require revisiting some long forgotten math skills.

    YveauxY Offline
    YveauxY Offline
    Yveaux
    Mod
    wrote on last edited by
    #18

    @mfalkvidd Nice project man!
    Did you consider protecting the sensor somehow from direct air contact? Kitchen stuff stends to get real greasy over time...

    http://yveaux.blogspot.nl

    mfalkviddM 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • YveauxY Yveaux

      @mfalkvidd Nice project man!
      Did you consider protecting the sensor somehow from direct air contact? Kitchen stuff stends to get real greasy over time...

      mfalkviddM Offline
      mfalkviddM Offline
      mfalkvidd
      Mod
      wrote on last edited by
      #19

      @Yveaux said:

      @mfalkvidd Nice project man!
      Did you consider protecting the sensor somehow from direct air contact? Kitchen stuff stends to get real greasy over time...

      Thanks!
      I did not consider that. I think the sensor will sense transparent plastic and glass but I haven't tested, so maybe it is possible to put some protection in front of it.

      TheoLT 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

        @Yveaux said:

        @mfalkvidd Nice project man!
        Did you consider protecting the sensor somehow from direct air contact? Kitchen stuff stends to get real greasy over time...

        Thanks!
        I did not consider that. I think the sensor will sense transparent plastic and glass but I haven't tested, so maybe it is possible to put some protection in front of it.

        TheoLT Online
        TheoLT Online
        TheoL
        Contest Winner
        wrote on last edited by
        #20

        @mfalkvidd I have so far not been able to cover the sensor. It's very sensitive. So if somebody knows a material that can cover the sensor while keeping it operating, I'll be be much obliged.

        Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
        1
        • scalzS Offline
          scalzS Offline
          scalz
          Hardware Contributor
          wrote on last edited by scalz
          #21

          @mfalkvidd
          I have played a lot with 9960 few weeks ago, as I have a project with it, I will show you maybe.. ;)

          • theoretically 9960 is better than 9930. If you look at datasheet of 9930 it's mentioned as proximity (no gesture engine in it). whereas 9960 is.
          • sometimes I had to tweak few offsets in lib for sensitivity or thresholds (on my side, because there is a very nasty while loop in the gesture process..)
          • for covering it, you need a material with 80% min of IR transmittance or it won't work well or not at all..
            So with this kind of sensor, without a special material, you need a hole (enough large, see datasheet).
          Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
          2
          • scalzS scalz

            @mfalkvidd
            I have played a lot with 9960 few weeks ago, as I have a project with it, I will show you maybe.. ;)

            • theoretically 9960 is better than 9930. If you look at datasheet of 9930 it's mentioned as proximity (no gesture engine in it). whereas 9960 is.
            • sometimes I had to tweak few offsets in lib for sensitivity or thresholds (on my side, because there is a very nasty while loop in the gesture process..)
            • for covering it, you need a material with 80% min of IR transmittance or it won't work well or not at all..
              So with this kind of sensor, without a special material, you need a hole (enough large, see datasheet).
            Nca78N Offline
            Nca78N Offline
            Nca78
            Hardware Contributor
            wrote on last edited by
            #22

            @scalz said:

            • for covering it, you need a material with 80% min of IR transmittance or it won't work well or not at all..

            And the datasheet says 1mm thickness maximum for the glass/plastic and also 1mm maximum air gap between sensor and glass. They also suggest if you put a glass to put a rubber layer with just two holes for the led (1.5mm) and the photodetector (2mm) to avoid crosstalk (reflection of the IR light from the led will generate fake proximity or movement detections).

            In short it sounds much easier to not use a cover, or else to make a "big" hole for the full sensor size.

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • scalzS Offline
              scalzS Offline
              scalz
              Hardware Contributor
              wrote on last edited by
              #23

              @Nca78 i think behind a glass plate it's less reliable, even if using rubber layer because this sensor can be sensitive to light fluctuations etc, imho not the best sensor behing a glass plate but i have not run so much attempts on covering it, so..
              but it's a fun sensor :)

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • mfalkviddM Offline
                mfalkviddM Offline
                mfalkvidd
                Mod
                wrote on last edited by
                #24

                With the cost of the sensor down to $7.40 (from $15 when I first bought one) and even lower when buying multiple sensors I think it is better to just replace the sensor when it becomes too dirty.

                1 Reply Last reply
                3
                • mfalkviddM Offline
                  mfalkviddM Offline
                  mfalkvidd
                  Mod
                  wrote on last edited by mfalkvidd
                  #25

                  Today I learned that the APDS-9960 will detect steam. The kitchen went dark when I poured up boiling pasta and the steam ventured under the sensor. Exciting times ;-)

                  YveauxY 1 Reply Last reply
                  7
                  • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

                    Today I learned that the APDS-9960 will detect steam. The kitchen went dark when I poured up boiling pasta and the steam ventured under the sensor. Exciting times ;-)

                    YveauxY Offline
                    YveauxY Offline
                    Yveaux
                    Mod
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #26

                    @mfalkvidd said:

                    APDS-9960 will detect steam

                    More general, it will detect heat (IR radiation), so putting your toaster below it might also turn the lights off (dark-roasting :metal: )

                    http://yveaux.blogspot.nl

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    1
                    • hekH Offline
                      hekH Offline
                      hek
                      Admin
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #27

                      Haha, funny story @mfalkvidd!

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • mfalkviddM Offline
                        mfalkviddM Offline
                        mfalkvidd
                        Mod
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #28

                        Special welcome to all Adafruit fans. (Adafruit covered this project on their blog yesterday: https://blog.adafruit.com/2016/11/21/gesture-controlled-dimmable-led-light-using-arduino-apds-9960-sensor-arduinomonday/ )

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        1
                        • TheoLT TheoL

                          @mfalkvidd I have so far not been able to cover the sensor. It's very sensitive. So if somebody knows a material that can cover the sensor while keeping it operating, I'll be be much obliged.

                          Nca78N Offline
                          Nca78N Offline
                          Nca78
                          Hardware Contributor
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #29

                          @TheoL said in Dimmable LED kitchen light (Arduino, APDS-9960, RGBWW led):

                          @mfalkvidd I have so far not been able to cover the sensor. It's very sensitive. So if somebody knows a material that can cover the sensor while keeping it operating, I'll be be much obliged.

                          I'm trying with food wrap on a 9930 and it doesn't seem to affect the measurements much, as long as it's tight on the sensor.

                          rozpruwaczR 1 Reply Last reply
                          1
                          • Nca78N Offline
                            Nca78N Offline
                            Nca78
                            Hardware Contributor
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #30

                            @mfalkvidd do you have any MySensors version of this sketch, that can be remotely controlled, or should I make one ?

                            mfalkviddM 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • Nca78N Nca78

                              @mfalkvidd do you have any MySensors version of this sketch, that can be remotely controlled, or should I make one ?

                              mfalkviddM Offline
                              mfalkviddM Offline
                              mfalkvidd
                              Mod
                              wrote on last edited by mfalkvidd
                              #31

                              @Nca78 I haven't had a need for remot control so I haven't made one.

                              Have been thinking about making it possible to control color remotely (the UX managing color with the gesture sensor would be a bit complicated, so an app or web interface could make sense) but it would be more of a gimmick than something I really needso it is pretty low on my priority list.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              1
                              • Nca78N Nca78

                                @TheoL said in Dimmable LED kitchen light (Arduino, APDS-9960, RGBWW led):

                                @mfalkvidd I have so far not been able to cover the sensor. It's very sensitive. So if somebody knows a material that can cover the sensor while keeping it operating, I'll be be much obliged.

                                I'm trying with food wrap on a 9930 and it doesn't seem to affect the measurements much, as long as it's tight on the sensor.

                                rozpruwaczR Offline
                                rozpruwaczR Offline
                                rozpruwacz
                                wrote on last edited by rozpruwacz
                                #32

                                @Nca78 I'm also using 9930 and it is quite insensitive to transparent stuff, even partly transparent plastic cover. I am now finishing my kitchen and plan to put the sensor behind the milky plasic cover of the led aluminium profile, then drill the small hole for the ir diodes and cover the hole with fully transparent plastic. I made the prototype like this and it is working very well, but didn't test with the steam yet ...

                                Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                                2
                                • rozpruwaczR rozpruwacz

                                  @Nca78 I'm also using 9930 and it is quite insensitive to transparent stuff, even partly transparent plastic cover. I am now finishing my kitchen and plan to put the sensor behind the milky plasic cover of the led aluminium profile, then drill the small hole for the ir diodes and cover the hole with fully transparent plastic. I made the prototype like this and it is working very well, but didn't test with the steam yet ...

                                  Nca78N Offline
                                  Nca78N Offline
                                  Nca78
                                  Hardware Contributor
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #33

                                  @rozpruwacz said in Dimmable LED kitchen light (Arduino, APDS-9960, RGBWW led):

                                  @Nca78 I'm also using 9930 and it is quite insensitive to transparent stuff, even partly transparent plastic cover. I am now finishing my kitchen and plan to put the sensor behind the milky plasic cover of the led aluminium profile, then drill the small hole for the ir diodes and cover the hole with fully transparent plastic. I made the prototype like this and it is working very well, but didn't test with the steam yet ...

                                  Did you manage to get reliable data with the 9930 ? It's fluctuating too much to allow the same behavior than what mfalkvidd implemented, so I just split the range in 2 areas "up" and "down" with a "neutral" area in the middle to implement some threshold to go in/out of the up and down zones.
                                  I'm waiting for some very cheap "9960" from AliExpress, that I suspect will be some 9930, but if they are not then I will give up on this sensor as the price difference is very low now and is not worth the compromises.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • rozpruwaczR Offline
                                    rozpruwaczR Offline
                                    rozpruwacz
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #34

                                    i'm just using it as on/off switch and it is working perfectly. I also made some limited tests with the steam and has no issues with it.

                                    Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • rozpruwaczR Offline
                                      rozpruwaczR Offline
                                      rozpruwacz
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #35

                                      I can now confirm that the apds 9930 module works without any issues. no steam problem so far and the module is located next to the stove. Here are some pictures :)
                                      0_1510243312248_IMG_20171028_214316.jpg
                                      0_1510243317785_IMG_20171028_214352.jpg

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      3
                                      • rozpruwaczR rozpruwacz

                                        i'm just using it as on/off switch and it is working perfectly. I also made some limited tests with the steam and has no issues with it.

                                        Nca78N Offline
                                        Nca78N Offline
                                        Nca78
                                        Hardware Contributor
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #36

                                        @rozpruwacz said in Dimmable LED kitchen light (Arduino, APDS-9960, RGBWW led):

                                        i'm just using it as on/off switch and it is working perfectly. I also made some limited tests with the steam and has no issues with it.
                                        Do you use a relay to control the leds or still a MOSFET ?

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • rozpruwaczR Offline
                                          rozpruwaczR Offline
                                          rozpruwacz
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #37

                                          @Nca78 said in Dimmable LED kitchen light (Arduino, APDS-9960, RGBWW led):

                                          Do you use a relay to control the leds or still a MOSFET ?

                                          i'm using mosfets.

                                          1 Reply Last reply
                                          0
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          22

                                          Online

                                          11.7k

                                          Users

                                          11.2k

                                          Topics

                                          113.1k

                                          Posts


                                          Copyright 2025 TBD   |   Forum Guidelines   |   Privacy Policy   |   Terms of Service
                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • MySensors
                                          • OpenHardware.io
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular