Here is the CircuitPython code to turn the Circuit Playground into an inclinometer. Save it to a file named main.py and place it on your Circuit Playground.
CircuitPython only works on the Circuit Playground Express.
# Circuit Playground Express How Tall Is It
#
# Uses the accelerometer to turn the Circuit Playground into an inclinometer.
# Can be used to determine the height of objects using a little right angle
# math.
#
# Author: Carter Nelson
# MIT License (https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
import time
import math
from adafruit_circuitplayground.express import cpx
# Indicate ready using NeoPixel 9.
# Set it red to indicate no good reading yet.
cpx.pixels[9] = ((255, 0, 0))
while True:
if (cpx.button_a or cpx.button_b):
# Compute average
X = 0
Y = 0
Z = 0
for count in range(10):
x,y,z = cpx.acceleration
X = X + x
Y = Y + y
Z = Z + z
time.sleep(0.01)
X = X / 10
Y = Y / 10
Z = Z / 10
# Compute angle
angle = math.atan2(-X, Y)
# Compute total acceleration
total_accel = math.sqrt(X*X + Y*Y + Z*Z)
# Initially assume the reading is good
good_reading = True
# Check for levelness
# Ideally Z=0, but allow a small amount of Z
if abs(Z) > 1.0:
good_reading = False
# Check for motion
# Gravity (9.8 m/s^2) should be the only acceleration, but allow a small amount of motion.
if total_accel > 10:
good_reading = False
# Indicate if reading was good
if good_reading:
# Green light
cpx.pixels[9] = (0, 255, 0)
else:
# Red light
cpx.pixels[9] = (255, 0, 0)
# Indicate sign of angle
if angle < 0:
# Blue light
cpx.pixels[8] = (0, 0, 255)
else:
# Off
cpx.pixels[8] = (0, 0, 0)
# Display angle magnitude, in degrees, on NeoPixels 0-7 as 8 bit value.
# 1 = NeoPixel ON, 0 = NeoPixel OFF
angle_display = int(abs(angle * 57.29578))
for p in range(8):
if angle_display & 0x01 == 1:
# Turn on the NeoPixel
cpx.pixels[p] = (255, 255, 255)
else :
# Turn off the NeoPixel
cpx.pixels[p] = (0, 0, 0)
angle_display = angle_display >> 1
