Rather than the hacked amazon dash button, have you seen the AWS IoT Button? https://aws.amazon.com/iotbutton/
That might be easier to work into the system on a future refactoring of the system.
Re:Cat-proofing a cat feeding machine
by tlrobinson on Thursday December 22, 2016 @12:47PM
(#13238916)
Yeah, but the Dash buttons are $5, or free with the $5 credit towards the first purchase...
> Buy this AWS IoT Button for $19.95 and receive a $20.00 credit in your AWS account within 24 hours of your first press.
If you are paying for any AWS, it's free too.
Re:Cat-proofing a cat feeding machine
by Segfaulter on Wednesday December 21, 2016 @03:25PM
(#13232308)
Do you know of any systems that portion out food by weight?
Re:Cat-proofing a cat feeding machine
by tlrobinson on Wednesday December 21, 2016 @05:20PM
(#13233161)
Super Feeder lets you adjust the duration of the feedings, which I think is pretty accurate, but you'll have to calibrate it for the desired weight, food size, etc.
I added the relay because I wanted more control. Normally you use a wall outlet relay or timer but then you only have one preset duration, and there's a 10 minute reset interval between feedings.
So far these are the triggers:
1. I put a hall effect sensor and another C.H.I.P. on his exercise wheel (https://onefastcat.com/) so it feeds him every few revolutions he runs (not sure if he's associated the two yet)
2. Alexa skill.
3. Daily 5am feeding to avoid the early morning hungry-cat-alarm-clock.
4. Hacked Amazon Dash button next to the bed (and IFTTT button on my phone) in case the 5am feeding isn't enough to silence the hungry-cat-alarm-clock.
So yeah, I identify with this statement "You might say I’ve won this battle. However I just spent 20 hours armor-plating a cat feeder. I think we know who’s really in control here, don’t we?"