Free Deer Deterrent PlansStep 8: Start the noise...
Step 9: Potentiometer Your deer deterrent should be working now, but it's probably turning far too quickly. We like to have our golf ball strike the tin between once every second and once every five seconds (depending on how concerned we are about deer incursions.) This step will add a variable resistor (also known as a potentiometer) to the deterrent so that you can slow down and speed up your deterrent at will. For this step, you'll need your deer deterrent, scissors, pliers, a potentiometer, and electrical tape. First, make sure you unplug the transformer from the power source. Then cut the wire a few inches from where it goes into the drill's battery compartment. Split and strip both ends of the cut wire, just as you did in Step 6.  Wire the potentiometer using one of the wires from the transformer and one of the wires from the drill, as is shown in the photo above. Be sure to attach one wire to one of the outer terminals and one wire to the middle terminal. One outer terminal will remain unattached. For best results, sodder the wires in place. Or just twist them on and tape them with electrical tape.  Twist the other two cut ends together and cover them with electrical tape as well.  We attached our potentiometer to the scrap wood bracket by drilling a small hole in the bracket to put the dial of the potentiometer through. Snapping on a $1 plastic dial held the potentiometer in place and made it pretty, but this step can be omitted if you're strapped for cash. Plug the transformer back in and give your deer deterrent another whirl. You should be able to increase and decrease the speed of the deterrent by twisting the dial on the top of the potentiometer. |
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