DIY projects often become a way to optimize an existing product or save money, but in most cases we are a group of enthusiasts experimenting with obsolete hardware. The rotary dial mechanism in old telephones is of particular interest, and with the right partner, it can do much more than we imagine. For example, how does controlling the volume of applications in Windows sound? User "Cameron Coward" teaches us to reproduce his project.
In an increasing number of countries, the classic telephone line is already a thing of the past, and all those dedicated devices (including fax machines and answering machines) are looking for a new occupation. The rotary phone is usually the most interesting of the group due to its modding potential. Personally, I remember seeing it working as a VoIP phone with the help of a Raspberry Pi, and in mid-February we shared the project of engineer Justine Haupt, who used the rotary dial on a mobile phone.
However, today we are going to completely move away from telephony and apply the rotary dial in a very different environment... Windows, to be more precise. But if we don't dial a phone number, then what do we do? "Cameron Coward's proposal is to turn it into a volume control. Each number represents the exact percentage. Want 20 percent volume? Dial 2. Need a moment of silence? Dial 0. Would you like to see it in action? Here we go:
A Rotary Dial as a Volume Control
On Cameron Coward's Instructables profile you'll find everything you need to get started. The dial was taken from an old Trimline phone and connected to an Arduino Nano (a generic compatible module will also work). Cameron explains that in his current setup, the dial does not change the computer's global volume, but the volume of running applications, although the effect is the same. The tutorial includes a design for 3D printing a case, and all the relevant code. On one side we have the files to upload to the Arduino, and on the other, a small Python script.
The best part? The project is quite inexpensive. If we decide not to print the case, the cost is concentrated in the Arduino Nano, and one of its clones costs less than five dollars on eBay. The weekend is approaching. If you have an old rotary phone, why not try something like this?
Access the tutorial: Click here
https://old.neoteo.com/refrigero-su-cuarto-con-un-inodoro-y-arduino/
