Motion Activated Faucet

5 years ago, I bought a motion activated faucet that I generally liked. However, it would randomly activate if you just walked by or opened the cabinet next to it. Occasionally, I would need exaggerated hand movements within inches of the faucet to get it to work. But, most of the time it worked nicely and I really liked the automation. Recently, the faucet stopped functioning, so I removed electronics and solenoid and decided to build a better mousetrap.

The sink level motion activation would always be problematic. So, instead I thought that a sensor at floor level might work better. Using an IR break beam sensor on the floor and hiding it under the toe-kick of the sink cabinet would afford better control and have less false activations.

NOTE: Please understand this will not work with standard faucet. It is a retro-fit to an existing motion activated faucet.

Arduino Nano

12vdc solenoid for 1/4" tubing

5vdc relay

12vdc to 5vdc power supply

IR Break Beam Sensor 5MM LEDs Photoelectric Switch

3" x 20" x 1/2" plywood

1" drywall screws

project box

I like to begin my Arduino projects by mocking up the wiring using bread boards and jumper wires. Adding each component one by one, ensuring that I have hooked them up correctly and they are giving the expected results. So follow the above diagram to construct the device.

cut the plywood at the same height of the toe kick of your cabinet. cut 2 smaller pieces the depth of the toe kick. cut a grove in the back of the mount to hide and protect the wires

Here I mocked up the project. I use a 12vdc power source. By tripping the IR break beam sensors the Arduino with activate the relay. Once things are working, wire them into the project box.

Note: The code for the Arduino has a timer to prevent the relay from staying on too long. In case an object or a cat gets stuck under the cabinet toe kick.

The key to making this work is cutting out the old system (the black mechanism in the 1st photo). I just cut the pipe above and below and pushed the tubing into a new solenoid. Mount the project box inside the cabinet. Now put the sensor mount under the toe kick and screw it in place.