We want this project to be as compact and portable as possible. So, we're going to use the proto space on the Feather M0 Express to attach our sensor. Then, using the short Feather headers, we'll make a little Feather/FeatherWing sandwich with the Adalogger on top.
Let's get building!
First solder the short male headers onto the Adalogger FeatherWing.
Solder the female headers on to the top of the Feather. (Remember the Adalogger FeatherWing will be sitting on top of the Feather).
Next, solder the 10K resistors between the 3V rail next to the proto space and the two holes shown in the images. They will be linking the SCL and SDA pins on the sensor to the 3V rail as the pull-up on each pin. To verify you're connecting the right spots, place your sensor through the holes on the end of the Feather proto area, and make sure that you're placing one end of the resistors on the same rows as the SCL and SDA pins on the sensor.
DO NOT TRIM THE RESISTOR LEADS IN THE PROTO SPACE. You will be using them to bridge three holes on the proto area together to link the resistors, the wires and the pins. You can trim the resistor leads on the 3V rail if you like.
Bend the resistor leads gently towards the middle of the Feather to get them out of the way as you continue to build your project.
Cut four pieces of wire at least 2" long. (This is much longer than needed but you can always trim it later.) We used solid core wire, 22AWG.
Strip the red and black wires (power and ground) to expose around 0.5in of wire. DO NOT TRIM THE EXCESS WIRE. We'll be using the ends of these two wires to bridge the power and ground pins on the sensor to the wires you just added.
Strip the yellow and blue wires (SCL and SDA) exposing enough to solder them in. If you're concerned, you can expose more wire, however, this end of these wires will not be used for anything further.
Now, solder each wire into the appropriate hole in the second set of holes in the proto area. Be sure to verify you're soldering them in the correct order and location! If you're unsure, place the sensor through the last set of holes and verify the correct order before continuing. The blue and yellow wires will end up next to one of the resistors.
Next, we're going to add the sensor.
First, bend the yellow and blue stripped wire flat towards the edge of the Feather, so they will be underneath the sensor. They should stick out past the edge of the Feather and out from beneath the sensor.
Next, place the sensor through the appropriate holes in the last section of the proto area. The sensor should be on top of the Feather - you should be soldering it from the bottom.
Be sure to leave enough space between the sensor and the Feather to bend the sensor outward.
Now we're going to begin bridging the pins to jumper them.
Using needle-nosed pliers, pull the first resistor lead past the yellow wire, straight towards the end of the Feather, and bend it around the appropriate sensor pin. We will use this lead to connect the three pins.
Use your soldering iron to bridge the three pins with solder, filling the space between with solder.
Then repeat for the second resistor lead, past the blue wire.
Flux is your friend! If you're having issues, try applying flux.
Once complete, you can trim the resistor leads if you like.
Next, you'll want to flip the board over. Carefully bend the sensor back and away from the Feather.
Use your soldering iron to bridge power and ground (red and black) to the appropriate pins on the sensor, using the excess wire we bent earlier to guide your solder.
Be careful not to melt the sensor while soldering these bridges.
Once you've bridged all four pins on their side of the board, flip the board over again. Carefully strip the red and black wires down to the appropriate size. Do not trim the wire yet! Red (power) will be connecting to the same 3V rail that the resistors are connected to. Black (ground) will be connecting to the ground rail opposite the 3V rail.
Using needle-nosed pliers, pull the red and black wires through their appropriate holes on the power and ground.
Then bend the SCL and SDA wires towards the SCL and SDA pins on the Feather, and strip them down to the appropriate size. When stripping, you'll want to bear in mind that you will be soldering these wires to those pins.
Carefully bend the yellow and blue wires into a tiny loop to fit around the pin.
Solder the blue wire to the SCL pin sticking through from the female header.
Solder the yellow wire to the SDA pin sticking through from the female header.
Flip the board over again so it's facing up. Your red and black wires should be poking through to the top.
Solder the red wire into the 3V rail.
Solder the black wire into the ground rail.
That's it! These images show what it should look like once completed.
And, now you can trim the rest of your wires. :)
Great job! Now that you have your data logger built, we will go through the CircuitPython code we'll be using.
Let's take a look!
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