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Projects => Build Reports => Topic started by: EBK on February 25, 2019, 01:18:59 AM

Title: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on February 25, 2019, 01:18:59 AM
A work in progress.

First, the following video is required viewing.  If you watched television in the US in the mid 1980s, you would have seen a commercial for this product several times each day.


With that out of the way, I present this, which is still in its early growing stage:
(http://i.imgur.com/iCepdSDl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BTf0opWl.jpg)

I'm hoping there won't be any water damage, but I'm in completely uncharted territory here.   :P
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: pickdropper on February 25, 2019, 01:19:33 AM
Hahaha, that's the best thing I've seen in a while.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on February 25, 2019, 01:23:14 AM
Quote from: pickdropper on February 25, 2019, 01:19:33 AM
Hahaha, that's the best thing I've seen in a while.
You'll probably recognize the board:
(http://i.imgur.com/lexEeC9l.jpg)
;)
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: mjg on February 25, 2019, 01:54:44 AM
Yeah, ok, you win the Internet today.  :o
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: DLW on February 25, 2019, 03:22:48 AM
Hahaha! This is amazing
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: Betty Wont on February 25, 2019, 03:54:39 AM
F'n amazing. Speechless
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: alanp on February 25, 2019, 04:09:56 AM
I think I lack the cultural background to appreciate this...  :-X
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: matmosphere on February 25, 2019, 04:28:56 AM
Hahahaha. You should've just built it into a chia pet.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: cooder on February 25, 2019, 07:13:15 AM
Too funny....!
Certainly got a lot of Fuzzzzzzz!
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: pickdropper on February 25, 2019, 12:43:59 PM
Quote from: EBK on February 25, 2019, 01:23:14 AM
Quote from: pickdropper on February 25, 2019, 01:19:33 AM
Hahaha, that's the best thing I've seen in a while.
You'll probably recognize the board:
(http://i.imgur.com/lexEeC9l.jpg)
;)

I'm even more excited.  I never knew PCB design was a growth industry.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: Leevibe on February 25, 2019, 02:29:57 PM
With enough seed money this idea could really take root and make you some serious green. It's going to be fun to see what other ideas sprout up. You definitely have a fertile imagination.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on February 25, 2019, 05:26:09 PM
Quote from: mjg on February 25, 2019, 01:54:44 AM
Yeah, ok, you win the Internet today.  :o
I must give you a bit of credit here.  You created a tiny spark of inspiration for this project that kept spinning around in my brain.

http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=26825.msg262392#msg262392
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: Bio77 on February 25, 2019, 05:56:14 PM
It's awesome!  Did you use 80s chia seeds for mojo?
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on February 25, 2019, 06:08:59 PM
Quote from: Bio77 on February 25, 2019, 05:56:14 PM
It's awesome!  Did you use 80s chia seeds for mojo?
For the first attempt, I actually did!   8)


(http://i.imgur.com/EALmIRXl.jpg)
My initial failure was a moisture issue entirely.  The seeds were still viable, as can be seen in the following pics:
(http://i.imgur.com/zt7aPLtm.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dFVO2Obm.jpg)
The problem was that I stuck the seeds directly onto the painted enclosure.  The ones at the bottom edge (where water was plentiful) were the only ones that grew.

For this attempt, I used a cardboard substrate:
(http://i.imgur.com/YAavs1nm.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/PJ0999Jm.jpg)
Sadly, I'm out of 80s mojo seeds, but I still have tons of "modern" seeds in case this doesn't work.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: Bio77 on February 25, 2019, 06:39:51 PM
Keeps getting better! ;D

Maybe next time you can just make the enclosure out of adobe?
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: madbean on February 25, 2019, 09:47:48 PM
That looks like cat barf and I'm not saying that's wrong.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: Bret608 on February 25, 2019, 10:17:36 PM
But won't you damage the little guys when you stomp this?  ;)  Just kidding! This is so nuts I hope it will stand the test of time. I have never seen a truer definition of earthy, organic fuzz!

Ch-ch-ch-chia!
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on February 25, 2019, 10:50:05 PM
Next time, I'll grow a geranium germanium fuzz.   ;D
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on February 25, 2019, 11:01:56 PM
Quote from: Bret608 on February 25, 2019, 10:17:36 PM
I hope it will stand the test of time.
It will have a limited life, but I can keep replanting.  Fun fact:  a mature chia plant is 1.5--2m tall.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: mjg on February 26, 2019, 07:32:11 AM
Quote from: EBK on February 25, 2019, 11:01:56 PM
Quote from: Bret608 on February 25, 2019, 10:17:36 PM
I hope it will stand the test of time.
It will have a limited life, but I can keep replanting.  Fun fact:  a mature chia plant is 1.5--2m tall.

So... You'll be needing one of those 2m stomp switch extensions then?  ;D

Glad that my concrete enclosure played a small part in this. 
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: Stomptown on February 26, 2019, 05:05:40 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190226/8a4cb19046060711f97ffc23f8bc30b9.jpg)
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on February 26, 2019, 05:58:02 PM
I'm not 100% sure how I should be interpreting that.  Does it mean that you don't like any of my builds, with this one being your least favorite?  ???
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: Stomptown on February 26, 2019, 07:36:06 PM
Quote from: EBK on February 26, 2019, 05:58:02 PM
I'm not 100% sure how I should be interpreting that.  Does it mean that you don't like any of my builds, with this one being your least favorite?  ???

Not at all! I think my humor was lost in translation here. It's a quote and photo from a movie and was meant to be playfully funny.  It's my way of saying:  that is so silly but so TOTALLY AWESOME at the same time.  I  love it!  :)
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: Leevibe on February 26, 2019, 07:42:07 PM
Quote from: Stomptown on February 26, 2019, 07:36:06 PM
Quote from: EBK on February 26, 2019, 05:58:02 PM
I'm not 100% sure how I should be interpreting that.  Does it mean that you don't like any of my builds, with this one being your least favorite?  ???

Not at all! I think my humor was lost in translation here. It's a quote and photo from a movie and was meant to be playfully funny.  It's my way of saying:  that is so silly but so TOTALLY AWESOME at the same time.  I  love it!  :)

I can see how you might take this wrong but I'm sure it wasn't meant that way! It's just such a senselessly fun idea! I think it's about time we see a progress pic!
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on February 26, 2019, 07:44:33 PM
Glad I asked.   ;)
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on February 26, 2019, 07:53:34 PM
Quote from: Leevibe on February 26, 2019, 07:42:07 PM
I think it's about time we see a progress pic!
I'll take another pic tonight.  Hopefully it has grown noticeably.

Here is a pic from a water damage check yesterday.  I'm not sure how I feel about my LED choice, but I think it will look better once the sprouts are taller and darker green.
(http://i.imgur.com/57fBRuGl.jpg)
More importantly, despite all the watering, the pedal still works so far!

I'm watering the plants using a plastic medicine syringe now.  It allows me to keep the water out of the critical areas above the threaded bushings of the switch and pots.

I started these seeds on February 18th, by the way.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on February 27, 2019, 01:04:46 AM
No new pics today.  Still looks mostly the same.  If anything, it looks slightly less healthy.  Hopefully, it will perk back up once the latest watering gets absorbed.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: TFZ on February 28, 2019, 12:09:49 AM
And here I thought I would win the crazyness award once I post about rolling capacitors. You take the win, chapeau!  ;D
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on February 28, 2019, 06:52:56 PM
Quote from: TFZ on February 28, 2019, 12:09:49 AM
And here I thought I would win the crazyness award once I post about rolling capacitors. You take the win, chapeau!  ;D
I'll take credit for crazy. 

On the topic of rolling capacitor crazy, I've made capacitors out of aluminum flashing and an engineering textbook somewhat recently (a single page of the textbook was my dielectric).  Started to venture into making a capacitor out of a mylar birthday balloon, but got distracted by other projects (like this one).  ;D
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: pickdropper on February 28, 2019, 07:02:11 PM
Quote from: EBK on February 27, 2019, 01:04:46 AM
No new pics today.  Still looks mostly the same.  If anything, it looks slightly less healthy.  Hopefully, it will perk back up once the latest watering gets absorbed.

At this point, you may have to break down and setup a 24/7 webcam so we can all track progress.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on February 28, 2019, 10:45:06 PM
For better or worse, here is the present state of things:
(http://i.imgur.com/rxevntVl.jpg)

The leaves still haven't opened up.  My brother suggests more sun.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: madbean on February 28, 2019, 11:43:39 PM
This is getting pretty dang rad if you ask me.

Of course, now we'll need a medicinal marijuana pedal.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on March 01, 2019, 12:00:56 AM
Quote from: madbean on February 28, 2019, 11:43:39 PM
Of course, now we'll need a medicinal marijuana pedal.
I feel that such a creation should look as much like this as possible:
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/05/32/21/05322107a858cef58b206c79b58dbe00.jpg)
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: alanp on March 01, 2019, 03:31:36 AM
Quote from: EBK on February 28, 2019, 06:52:56 PM
On the topic of rolling capacitor crazy, I've made capacitors out of aluminum flashing and an engineering textbook somewhat recently (a single page of the textbook was my dielectric).  Started to venture into making a capacitor out of a mylar birthday balloon, but got distracted by other projects (like this one).  ;D

Bucket of salt water, glass cocacola bottles inside, salt water in them. Wire to the bucket-water, wire to the inside-bottles-water.

I had it attached to a jacob's ladder setup (15kV.) Didn't notice any difference :(
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on March 01, 2019, 11:16:34 AM
In college, I saw a homemade Tesla coil with a cap made from a Champagne bottle filled with oil, wrapped in foil, with a giant nail in the top.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on March 01, 2019, 12:06:35 PM
Signs of hope this morning.  I've been leaving a light on overnight.
(http://i.imgur.com/fklAdIjl.jpg)
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: madbean on March 01, 2019, 12:45:27 PM
My gods - they are self-aware!

Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: pickdropper on March 01, 2019, 01:07:41 PM
Quote from: madbean on March 01, 2019, 12:45:27 PM
My gods - they are self-aware!

Uh oh.

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WFx7kfHnKg8/maxresdefault.jpg)
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: Yahoo67 on March 01, 2019, 01:47:12 PM
Quote from: pickdropper on March 01, 2019, 01:07:41 PM
Quote from: madbean on March 01, 2019, 12:45:27 PM
My gods - they are self-aware!

Uh oh.

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WFx7kfHnKg8/maxresdefault.jpg)

Feeeeeeeeed me seymour !!!! xD maybe its time to feed it a bit of blood ?^^
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: nzCdog on March 01, 2019, 06:24:14 PM
omg!  :o
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on March 01, 2019, 08:10:30 PM
A couple more pics from today.  There are a few areas that look less lively, but overall, I am still cautiously hopeful that this will be successful.
(http://i.imgur.com/NkWzornl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Fs5GGNxl.jpg)
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on March 03, 2019, 04:46:34 PM
Today:
(http://i.imgur.com/9cdSnqfl.jpg)
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on March 08, 2019, 12:14:24 AM
Update:
(http://i.imgur.com/QcIccy2l.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/wekR0mGl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/2wRhCAKl.jpg)
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: Leevibe on March 08, 2019, 12:39:40 AM
It's coming along!
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: mjg on March 08, 2019, 04:02:41 AM
Awww yesss!  That is looking real nice now.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on March 12, 2019, 12:01:16 PM
The time has come to bid adieux to attempt number two.  Even though I consider this attempt a success, I know I can make it better in multiple ways.  My wife has suggested that warmer weather and more abundant sunshine in late Spring or early Summer would help the seeds grow better and would also hinder mold growth better.

Things I learned in this attempt:

1.  It is definitely possible to over water chia plants.  The ones growing on the side of the enclosure did better than the ones on the top which were in more contact with water during my earlier waterings.

2.  On the topic of watering, the cardboard substrate wicks up plenty of moisture for the plants from a shallow puddle under the enclosure.  There is no need to water from above.

3.  Mold will grow on the enclosure just as easily as the chia plants will.  This can be battled with limited success by rinsing it off and exposing it to more light (but, as suggested above, rinsing would be detrimental in the early stages of chia growth).  A better bet may be exposure to UV.

4.  People who experience Trypophobia cannot stand the sight of a Chia Pedal. 

5.  A green LED is not a good choice.  (http://i.imgur.com/cUgS3ZFm.jpg)
I will switch to a yellow LED before the next attempt, I think.  Also, I don't care for the secondary reflected light coming off of the stomp switch, so I will need a bezel of some sort (perhaps something as simple as a ring of JB Weld and filing the LED lens flat).

I will end this post with a pic of the pedal from perhaps its best angle:
(http://i.imgur.com/QMFwWVKl.jpg)

Chia Pedal will return!
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: p_wats on March 12, 2019, 05:40:32 PM
I love everything about this. Inspiring stuff
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on March 12, 2019, 06:36:24 PM
Quote from: p_wats on March 12, 2019, 05:40:32 PM
I love everything about this. Inspiring stuff
Thanks.  Inspiring others continues to be a main driving force behind this project.  Of course, a pedal covered in chia sprouts is not terribly practical (I'd call it mostly an art piece, even though the circuit 100% works), but if it inspires someone else to come up with something new and unusual, then that would make me incredibly happy.  There are plenty of untried possibilities out there. 
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: somnif on March 12, 2019, 08:39:47 PM
Quote from: EBK on March 12, 2019, 12:01:16 PM
3.  Mold will grow on the enclosure just as easily as the chia plants will.  This can be battled with limited success by rinsing it off and exposing it to more light (but, as suggested above, rinsing would be detrimental in the early stages of chia growth).  A better bet may be exposure to UV.

If you have a cheesemakers supplier anywhere in your town (my local homebrew shops carry the stuff) you can buy foodgrade mold inhibitor (natamycin based) for fairly cheap. Its not magic, but it does give you a little advantage over the gray and fuzzies.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on March 12, 2019, 08:53:03 PM
Very interesting suggestion.  My brother is a chef, so maybe he can hook me up.
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: culturejam on March 13, 2019, 03:52:04 AM
Haha, this is awesome. I sprout mung beans, broccoli, radish, and yes chia seeds as well. But not on pedals.

Cool idea!

I was actually thinking that after the initial sprout you would have hit it with some kind of epoxy clear coat to arrest the development permanently. Maybe next time!
Title: Re: Chia Pedal
Post by: EBK on March 13, 2019, 01:44:44 PM
Quote from: culturejam on March 13, 2019, 03:52:04 AM
I was actually thinking that after the initial sprout you would have hit it with some kind of epoxy clear coat to arrest the development permanently. Maybe next time!
Would you be willing to conduct an experiment on some of your sprouts to see if such an idea would work?  The plants would certainly die, but what would they look like afterward?  Would the epoxy cure properly around the plants, or would voids be created as the plants react to the resin?  Would green plants stay green?  Interesting questions.