Hardware Hacking Projects for Geeks

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Chapter 15, How to Build an Internet Coffeemaker

The rubber band not only serves to hold the water probe wires in place, it

also makes the seal at the end of the tube tighter. Remember that this probe

will spend a lot of time immersed in hot (or at least warm) coffee.

5. Modify the coffee pot

The coffee pot you intend to use may require some modification to allow it

to hold the probe in place. The probe should be positioned so that the tip is

close to the bottom of the pot. This allows the water sensor wires to be at

the proper level to report when the pot is empty.

Cut a small hole in the lid of the coffee pot to allow the probe to enter, as

shown in Figure 15-13. Notice that the hole is cut next to the handle so that

the probe does not get in the way when pouring coffee.

Next you will need to configure the probe cable so that it will stay in the pot

and be out of the way. Put a kink in the tube with a cable tie, as shown in

Figure 15-14. The folded probe tube should now fit easily into the slot cut

into the top of the coffee pot.

You may need to adjust the tube fold size and location to get the best fit for

your coffee machine. Experiment a little and make sure that the probe and

coffee pot fit into your coffee machine when you are finished (see Figure

15-15).

Figure 15-12: Temperature and water sensor final sealing

Figure 15-13:

Coffee pot cover cutout

Figure 15-14: ...