![]() ![]() Drill a hole in the side of the case, and install the jack. If you want an additional line input to skip the Bluetooth module, open the case back up, and solder wires to the L, R, and GND pads on the Bluetooth module. If Billy isn’t reacting to the audio peaks as much as you’d expect, or if he’s reacting too often, adjust the potentiometer in the battery compartment until you’re satisfied. If either of the motor movements is backward, swap the motor pins in the code and re-upload to the Arduino. Largemouth bass are most active in warm waters of 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Test by playing some audio and checking if the Billy Bass responds. In Michigan, largemouth bass are seldom found deeper than 20 feet. Upload the code ( which can be found on GitHub) to the Arduino, and pair your phone or computer to the Bluetooth module. Plug in USB power to the USB connector on Billy Bass, then plug the Arduino into your computer. We have to use pins 3,5,6, and 9 on the Arduino Nano because these pins allow us to use PWM via analogWrite. Strip and solder the H-Bridge wires as follows: iFixit Essential Electronics Toolkit (includes security bit for opening Alexa-compatible model).We’ve got the mouth flapping, the head and tail flopping, and we even crammed stereo speakers inside so that everything is self-contained (no running cords out to your stereo). In this guide, you’ll be hacking a Billy Bass talking fish toy so that it will respond from any Bluetooth audio source. ![]() So, in this updated version of the project, I’ve enlisted the help of my good friend Jordan Bunker and we’re going to do it right. The silver lining of that failed product is that it created a glut of used or unsold discounted toys that are perfect for hacking. I have a whole separate video where you can learn more about the design and limitations of that product. The largemouth bass is by far the most sought-after fish in Texas. I figured this would be the end of my project’s popularity, but it turns out that the toy’s infuriatingly locked-down system was a big disappointment to many buyers. Two subspecies of largemouth bass exist in Texas: the native Micropterus salmoides salmoides and the Florida largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides floridanus, which has been introduced into many Texas lakes. In 2018, Amazon inexplicably partnered with the manufacturer of the Big Mouth Billy Bass to make a new, Alexa-compatible version of the toy that worked over Bluetooth. People have been messaging me for an update to the guide for years, to address many of the weak points in the project - the biggest being an inability to move the mouth while also moving the head and tail. It was a real hack job both in terms of the code and the hardware, but it has been wildly popular. In November of 2016, I wrote a guide on how to automatically puppet the mouth on one of these things using any audio input (including an Amazon Echo). It’s tacky and overpriced, but for some reason, I’m consumed with putting my own spin on it. I really can’t justify my stupid obsession with this talking toy fish. ![]()
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