RAIN PROTECTION MACHINE FOR DRYING FISH THROUGH SUNLIGHT USING ARDUINO FOR VILMA’S DRIED FISH

Abstract

Agriculture is highly affected by rainfall, particularly during post-harvest drying. Traditional forecasting methods are often inadequate due to limited data granularity. This project proposes to improve real-time rain detection. Drying fish using sunlight is a traditional method widely practiced in coastal areas. However, sudden rainfall poses a major threat to the quality and safety of dried fish, especially for small-scale producers like Vilma’s Dried Fish business. This project aims to develop a cost-effective, automated rain protection machine using Arduino technology to improve the reliability and efficiency of the fish drying process. The system is built using an Arduino Uno microcontroller integrated with rain sensors, servo motors, and a retractable cover. When rainfall is detected by the sensor, the Arduino triggers the motor to extend the cover over the drying racks. Once the rain stops and weather conditions return to optimal drying levels, or when the rain sensor stops detecting moisture, the system retracts the cover automatically. The machine is powered using a 6V lead-acid battery, which is also used in other industrial machines to provide power during outages, as well as in emergency lighting and alarm systems. Testing showed that the system successfully detected rainfall within 0.5 seconds and deployed the protective cover in under 1 second, making the lid fully closed in under 5 seconds. During trials, fish drying under the system experienced minimal exposure to rain and maintained higher quality compared to fish dried using traditional open-air methods. The automation reduced manual labor and prevented potential spoilage due to unexpected weather changes. Security, efficiency, and simplified administrative work were also improved without interrupting class time. The Rain Protection Machine for Drying Fish through Sunlight Using Arduino for Vilma's Dried Fish is aimed at designing a machine that can protect dried fish from inevitable and sudden rain to reduce damage and decay. The device employs the use of a servo motor and rain-detecting module to detect rainfall and provide a signal to close its cover. This product proved to be an effective and affordable solution for small-scale fish drying operations. It enhances the traditional sun drying method by adding weather adaptability without compromising sustainability. Future improvements could include temperature and humidity monitoring for more precise drying control.