Meowton electronics

Meowton Electronics

Note: First do a few steps of the Software part. This way you're sure the ESP32 works. For example: If you're using the wrong pins it wont boot.

Requirements

• ESP32 microcontroller: Meowton is controlled by a single ESP32 controller. Its recommend to use a version with 4MB PSRAM.
• Servo motor, see Food dispenser
• HX711 converter for each loadcell:
  • https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-hx711.html
  • https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13879
• Breadboard to fit all the electronics on, with jumper cables etc.
• You can also connect a LCD2004 board to it, but thats currently disabled in the software.

NOTE: Links to stores and more info can be found at the various build-instruction pages on this wiki.

Overview

I did my best to not make it a too bad of a ratsnest. :)

HX711 converters

Each loadcell has to be connected to a board in the same way:

• Red wire: E+
• Black wire: E-
• White wire: A-
• Green wire: A+

Servo motor pinout

The servo needs 5 volt and has one of the following pinouts:

Breadboard

Fit everything in a nice way on the breadboard.

Connect the power to all the parts:

• Make a ground-rail and connect all GND's to it.
• Make a 3v3 rail and connect the VCC of the HX711's to it.
• Make a 5v (USB) rail and connect the servo + to it.

Connect nothing, except the servo to 5v. The IO-ports of the ESP32 will damage if you put 5v on them.

Connecting the signal pins

Now all that is left is to connect the signal pins to IO pins on the ESP32.

The pins are configurable via software, but not all pins are suitable for various reasons. (some are only output or input for example)

I made a screenshot of the pinconfig I use:

Note that for a HX711 the order of the SCK and DT pins doesnt matter, the software detects them automaticly.

Power it up

If nothing smokes, continue with the Software part. :)