DIY Motion Activated Music Box

In this tutorial, I will demonstrate how to create a motion-activated music box for ghost hunting or paranormal research using an Arduino Nano. Arduino offers a straightforward and cost-effective solution for prototyping various projects.

Components Needed

• Arduino Nano and USB connector

• Externally Driven Buzzer

• HC-SR04 Sensor

• Wires

• 5v to 9v battery source

• Enclosure of your choosing

• Arduino IDE software

Tools Needed

• Soldering iron and solder

• Wires

• Battery, anywhere between 5v to 9v is okay

• An Arduino Nano Expansion Board is nice but not necessary.

Step 1 - Programing the Arduino

• Program the Arduino Nano

  • Code is available for download

  • Unzip the file Ultrasonic_Music_Box_DIY.zip

Ultrasonic_Music_Box_DIY

.zip

Download ZIP • 2KB

1. Connect the Arduino Nano to computer via USB cable

2. Start the Arduino IDE program

3. Under Tools select the following:

   1. Board: “Arduino Nano”

   2. Processor: “ATmega328P” May need to select “ATmega328P (Old Bootloader)”

   3. Programmer: “Parallel Programmer”

   4. Port will be unique, select correctly

4. Under File select Open

   1. Choose the unzipped file

5. Program the Arduino Nano

   1. Select Upload or Ctrl+U

Step 2 - Connect the Buzzer

• Connect the Buzzer

  • Be sure to use an externally driven buzzer

1. Connect the positive to pin D4

2. Connect the ground to GND

Step 3 - Connect the HC-SR04 Sensor

1. Connect Trig to Arduino D2

2. Connect Echo to Arduino D3

3. Connect Vcc to Arduino 5v

4. Connect Gnd to Arduino GND

Step 4 - Connect Battery Power

• You can use any supply from 5v to 9v

• Disconnect the USB cable

1. Connect the positive end of the battery to Arduino Vcc

2. Connect the ground end of the battery to Arduino GND

Notes About the Code

• The code was written to detect distance by inches.

  • Default is 10 inches

  • You can change the distance by changing the line of code from 10 to desired distance (always in inches).

• If you need any modifications to the code but lack the ability to do it yourself, I suggest utilizing upwork.com to find a skilled Arduino programmer who can assist you.

Step 5 - Enclosure

• Final step is to put your board into an enclosure

  • Wooden boxes from a craft store are common