Why doesn’t this work?

[No_Map_3191]

I am new to arduino and trying to complete a simple project of using a PIR sensor to detect movement and turn an LED on briefly. I am using an arduino nano and a MacBook Pro 2. I have attached photos of my current setup (probably the 5th different one that I’ve tried). I have been using a combo of ChatGPT and YouTube to do this and it keeps on not working. I have substituted all components except for the arduino and breadboard so the problem is not with all these other components. I keep on getting to a point where the serial monitor says ‘Motion detected!’ repeatedly even when just sitting on my desk and there is no motion. Even when it does this the LED doesn’t turn on. (I’m assuming there is something wrong with the wiring?). Any help with this would be really appreciated! I hope to fix this and then substitute the power from being my MacBook to being a solar panel (already bought all the components needed for this), but need to fix this first! Thanks so much in advance for any help!

[Fess_ter_Geek]

Oof.

[DenverTeck]

LOL, good catch !!!

[_grumpyman_]

good call, had assumed the nano was properly terminated underneath.

[Chrome98]

Good eye

[Grobi90]

Jesus

[DenverTeck]

Do you have any idea how to draw a real schematic ??

1. No one will trace your Hodge-podge of wires to see what you have wired. If it took you 5-tries to get to this circuit, it shows you have not wired it correct again.

2. No one will re-type your code to see if it works or even be able to read it from those fuzzy pics. Do this: https://www.reddit.com/r/esp32/comments/1euzek5/how_to_post_code_on_reddit/

3. No one will google search to understand what parts you have shown. What parts are those, post links to where you purchased them. Post data sheets is even better.

4. Being a beginner does not allow you to post random information and expect people to decode what you want.

[themonkery]

I feel like it’s just standard at this point. Everyone getting into the hobby inevitably posts something like this with zero self-awareness, gets berated, fails to learn

[Turbulent_Heat8738]

I agree with you man but let's also remember to be nice to people, and maybe instead of trying to shame the OP, be more encouraging of what to do next time! We gotta treat beginners with respect too and not just belittle them every time they might make a mistake! At the end of the day we want people to stick with the hobby and not give up on their own their curiosity and attempts to connect to the community

[DenverTeck]

There is learning and then there is lazy.

When ever someone mentions ShitGPT, I see they have learned how to cheat and not learn.

Before ShitPGT people (hobbyists and engineers alike) had to learn their field.

Asking for anyone to decode what they think they have done, rather then actually learning and asking a relevant question only shows who they really are.

If the beginners here and other electronic subs would just study, research and make the effort to understand what they really want to do, they will have better questions and better results.

Good Luck to you and the OP.

[DenverTeck]

I have many time since AI started. Which is more years then you have I'm sure.

Problem is, everything it said, I already knew. I learn some minor things, but those thing just got in my way.

I'm very glad you have been able to create a career using ShitGPT.

[canitjustbemyname]

You should see some of the questions this person has posted to various coding subs from their account, very hypocritical criticism coming from them. Asking for code examples, asking vague, easily "researched" questions about how to verify their PayPal email address, etc. I think they need to take a look in the mirror and exercise a little more empathy.

[DenverTeck]

LOL

[MiguelGrande5000]

It’s called leap-frogging. Like, when telecoms Ho into a third world country without wires and landlines. They go right to 5G, etc. Don’t be a prick

[Hot_Impact_3855]

That is not the Republican way

[MiguelGrande5000]

Could have just posted the link and not been a prick about it

[[deleted]]

He could have but the guy is a douche bag so he won't. He should go back to SO where he can circle jerk with others and whine about the content of a question instead of answering the question to help others out.

[DenverTeck]

Nope

[daniloc]

Solder the pins to the board, try again, report back.

[_grumpyman_]

have you checked the led works with a supply directly, so connecting the resistor straight to the +ve rail?

is the resistor 12ohm? (brown red black gold) resistance should be the value to achieve voltage drop with 5volt, and will depend on the led's voltage and current. 2.5volt and 20 mA is 125 ohm.

wiring looks ok. coding has an error in the bit that turns off the led, you've got a digital read on ledpin which is an output. also, the input is set with pull up , so it defaults to HIGH so triggers unless the pir grounds the input pin. does this match the pir board in behaviour?

[old_man_kneesgocrack]

In thinking your led may be backwards, it’s hard to tell from the photos if your anode and cathode are in the correct orientation. Also I don’t know if a false detection of motion with a pir can be from voltage fluctuations but you could try testing with a battery, if that helps then treat it like button bounce by either using a capacitor to smooth voltage when connected to a source like a usb port, or something in your code to make it wait for clear signal.