The Talking Parrot Hydrometer – Bringing Technology to Traditional Copper Moonshine Stills

Welcome to American Copper Works, the home of handcrafted copper moonshine stills made right here in the USA.
Today, we’re proud to introduce our latest innovation — the Talking Proof & Tralle Hydrometer, also known as the Talking Parrot.

After extensive research, testing, and dozens of wiring configurations, we’ve perfected a simple, reliable system that not only measures the proof of your spirits in real time but also announces it audibly as your copper still runs.

Whether you’re a home hobbyist or a professional distiller, this add-on is the perfect upgrade to your copper parrot and still setup.

The Technology Behind the Talking Parrot

This unique tool combines traditional distilling craftsmanship with modern Arduino technology.
The Talking Parrot Hydrometer uses a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor to measure the exact height of your hydrometer inside the parrot, converting that distance into proof. The onboard microcontroller (Nano, Mega, or Uno — all compatible) then plays the proof number aloud through a small amplifier and speaker system.

All you need is a 9-volt battery, a small micro SD card with pre-recorded audio clips, and a Nano or Mega board.

This system operates for up to 7 hours on a single 9-volt battery or indefinitely via USB power.

Building the Parrot Housing

In our brew-house model, the parrot uses a 1.5-inch copper collection tube, which fits perfectly into a 1.5-inch PVC sleeve for the talking head.
To ensure perfect vertical alignment, we add a small shim inside the sleeve (a section of 1.5-inch sink drain pipe).

You may need to slightly hone or sand the sleeve for a snug, stable fit — a critical detail for accurate ToF readings.

The ideal parrot tube height for this project is 245 millimeters, matching the distance calibration programmed into the Arduino.

That’s because the ToF sensor measures distances in millimeters, and the code converts that precise measurement into alcohol proof.

Wiring the Talking Proof & Tralle Hydrometer

You can use any compatible board — Nano, Mega, or Uno — the wiring logic remains the same.
Below is the simplified connection guide to wire your Talking Parrot Hydrometer.

🔌 Time-of-Flight (ToF) Sensor → Arduino

The sensor has six wire points, but only four are needed:

Many ToF sensors (like SparkFun’s VL53L1X) come with a quick-connect cable that eliminates manual soldering — perfect for plug-and-play builds.

💾 Micro SD Card Reader → Arduino

This connection allows the Arduino to retrieve your pre-recorded proof numbers (for example, “160 proof”) and play them through your audio system.

🔊 LM386 Amplifier → Arduino

You can splice the amplifier’s 5V line into the same power feed used for the SD card reader.
Adjust the onboard potentiometer to control your speaker volume.

🔈 Speaker Wiring

Connect your speaker directly to the LM386 output terminals:

• Positive (+) → amplifier output

• Negative (–) → amplifier ground

Optionally, you can install a mute button on the positive wire to silence the parrot without powering down the system.

Final Power Connections

Power your system using one of two options:

1. 9-Volt Battery: portable, ~7 hours runtime.

2. USB Cable: continuous operation, plug into your PC or USB wall adapter.

You’ll also find a reset button on your Nano or Uno board.
Use it to restart the entire program without disconnecting power — especially useful when recalibrating or adjusting your proof values.

Customization and Upgrades

The Talking Parrot can be easily modified for your setup:

• Add a bigger amplifier for higher volume.

• Add a toggle or push button to enable/disable audio.

• Change or expand your voice files on the micro SD card (custom accents, sound effects, or multiple language options).

• Adjust your Arduino code for different parrot heights or proof calibration.

⚙️ Reminder: the default program expects your proofing tube to be 245 mm tall. If your setup differs, adjust the code accordingly to maintain accuracy.

And yes — your Proof & Tralle Hydrometer needs a small reflective “hat” on top for the sensor to read accurately. This surface gives the ToF laser a consistent reflection target, ensuring precise proof readings throughout your run.

Bringing the Future to Classic Copper Distilling

At American Copper Works, we believe in merging old-world craftsmanship with modern ingenuity.
Our handmade copper stills deliver the same quality shine our ancestors perfected — now enhanced with smart proofing technology for the 21st century.

When you buy a copper moonshine still online from us, you’re getting:

• 100% American-made copper craftsmanship

• Lifetime guaranteed welds and joints

• Optional digital upgrades like the Talking Parrot

• Fast U.S. shipping and secure online checkout

Explore our full product line at AmericanCopperWorks.com.

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Happy Distilling — and welcome to the future of copper craftsmanship.
Your still can talk now. Literally.