Programming Your Home

Installing the Hardware

When setting up the sensors, you can leave them seated in the small breadboard we used during the testing of the Curtain Automation sketch. I used a piece of foam double-sided tape to keep the breadboard seated in place, with the sensors pointing toward the window like a high-tech flower box. Also, the stepper motor tends to get very warm when in use, so as an added safety precaution, be sure to mount the motor away from anything flammable. For example, make sure the stepper motor is mounted away from the curtains or shade that you’re opening and closing!

Measure the distance from the breadboard sitting on the windowsill to where you want to place the Arduino+motor shield. The Arduino can be mounted on a table, in an ...