Hey everyone, I wanted to share a fun little project I recently completed—a smart toilet paper counter! 
It’s been a great way to keep track of my toilet paper usage and add a bit of tech to my daily life. Here’s how I did it:
The Build
I used an IKEA KUGGIS box, a load cell, and an ESP8266 module. The box provides a neat, compact enclosure, while the load cell does the heavy lifting (pun intended) by measuring the weight of the toilet paper roll. The ESP8266 connects everything to my home network, making it easy to monitor usage from anywhere.
The Code
I adapted some code from the community to suit my needs. The sensor measures the weight and converts it into an estimated number of rolls remaining. It’s been pretty accurate so far, though I did have to calibrate it a few times to get the readings just right.
Why I Love It
This project has been a fantastic way to experiment with sensors and IoT devices. Plus, it’s given me peace of mind knowing I’ll never run out of toilet paper unexpectedly! 
It’s also been a fun conversation starter when guests come over.
Tips for Others
If you’re thinking of trying something similar, here are a few tips:
- Test Your Sensors: Spend some time testing your load cell and ensuring it’s accurate before you commit to the build.
- Calibration is Key: Don’t skip the calibration step—it makes a huge difference in accuracy.
- Keep It Simple: While there are endless ways to expand this project, I found that keeping it simple made it more enjoyable and less overwhelming.
I’d love to hear if anyone else has tried a similar project or has any tips to share! Let’s make home automation fun and practical! 
Cheers,
Andrew