Automated Chameleon Dripper

Project Overview

I designed and built this automated closed-loop hydration system specifically for a chameleon enclosure, ensuring a continuous but controlled water drip. The architecture features a dual-reservoir design: a lower reservoir houses a submersible pump and a float switch, while an upper reservoir regulates the drip rate. Water is collected, filtered, and returned to the bottom tank via gravity, creating a sustainable cycle.

The electronic control unit is powered by an Arduino Nano programmed in C++. It interfaces with a Real-Time Clock (RTC) module to schedule activation only during specific hours, and an OLED display provides real-time status updates. To handle the 12V pump load, I designed a driver circuit using a transistor-relay configuration with a flyback diode for inductive spike protection.

Safety logic is central to the firmware: the pump is hardware-interlocked by the float switch to prevent dry-running. Additionally, a software watchdog triggers a system alarm if the lower reservoir fails to refill within 30 minutes, indicating a potential leak or blockage. The entire electronics assembly is housed in a custom-designed, 3D-printed PETG enclosure with organized wire management.