Pneumatics

[sterre368]

I am trying to recreate an example video where a balloon is blown up using a pump. (https://blog.adafruit.com/2020/08/22/pn ... t-crickit/)

I am using all the same components and the exact same wiring. However when I run my code, the balloon is not inflating. I can hear the pump vibrating and I can feel it sucking in air from one opening so I know that is working correctly.

I am using a crickit with an feather m4 express.

This is my code:

Code: Select all

import time
from adafruit_crickit import crickit

# make two variables for the motors to make code shorter to type
motor = crickit.dc_motor_1
valve = crickit.feather_drive_1

valve.frequency = 1000

while True:
    valve.fraction = 1.0
    motor.throttle = 1
    
    #inflate
    time.sleep(10)
    
    #turn off pump
    motor.throttle = 0
    
    #wait to show balloon inflated
    time.sleep(5)
    
    #open valve to deflate
    valve.fraction = 0
    time.sleep(10)

I don't understand what I am doing wrong in this example. Could anyone help me with this? :)

[adafruit_support_bill]

If you remove the balloon, do you feel air coming out of the port on the pump?

[sterre368]

If I remove the balloon, I don't feel any air coming out of the tube. I also checked if there's air coming out of the valve, but I don't feel anything here as well.

[adafruit_support_bill]

Please post a photo of how you have everything hooked up.