Tracking degu wheel counts

[gondigo]

There are many DIY electronics solution existed for wheel tracking. But mostly it involves some minor engineering effort -- most of these solutions are either unreliable or presents potential hazards. 

Here I would like to add one accessory that are common in some degu/hamster owners in my country that I think is a neat solution. The solution re-uses the cheap sensor ("punch counter") in the factory to record machine movements using magnetic induction. It is safe because it is a non-contact solution. Comparing to the DIY electronics, it doesn't have the time recording/cloud syncing/big data analysis functions yet it is cheap and easy to install. 

Rotating Mechanical Counting Magnetic Induction Electronic Counter




For now, this is my setup for wheel tracking. 

For full activity records including wheels, I am thinking to use a doppler radar sensor with WIFI/bluetooth interface. Possibly open a new thread if I have time to do this. 

[moletteuk]

Perhaps you could show us how you set this up?

[bouncy]

I've thought about tracking my degus' activity before, but they jump in and out, share, and swap so frequently, I don't think it's accurate, especially if you get a lazy one or two!