Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
With the four pieces of plywood together, cut outward from the entrance hole, 30 mm along
the marked-out slots, as shown in Figure 17-6. Check that the IR emitter and IR receiver will
it at the end of the slots. If necessary, enlarge the end of the slots so that they it.
Figure 17-6:
A closeup of
the IR LED
emitter and
phototransistor
receiver in the
slot near the
hole for the nest
entrance.
Decide how you will route your wires and where they will come out from the plywood sand-
wich. It is usually best that they come out from the bottom to avoid water getting in. If you
cut slots going to the emitter and receiver on the same piece of wood, you will end up with a
separate piece, which is tricky to align. Instead, cut a narrow slot for cables from the outside
to the emitter on two pieces of wood (refer to Figure 17-5, beam part A), and on the other
piece of wood cut a slot to the receiver (refer to Figure 17-5, beam part B).
Glue beam part A and beam part B together with the sensors itted and the wires running
down the slots. Repeat this for the second beam. Test that both the beams work and then
fasten the two beams together and attach the front piece of plywood.
Check that the entrance to the nest box remains unrestricted by the ive pieces of plywood.
Also check that there is nothing sharp sticking out that could injure the birds, and then
mount the pieces of plywood in place on the front of the nest box with either glue or screws.
