Perk-a-Cola Progress

Project Progress

The Cozy Cabin Perk-a-Cola Bottle Display has been a fun mix of nostalgia, design, and engineering—and it’s finally starting to come to life. Inspired by the Call of Duty: Zombies Perk-a-Cola machines, this project is more than just a shelf for display bottles. It’s interactive, with lighting and sound that responds when a bottle is placed or removed. I wanted to create something that feels both rustic and high-tech—something that fits into a cozy, woodsy environment but still has a spark of personality from the games I grew up playing.

So far, the journey has been all about combining skills I’ve picked up through college—like soldering, 3D modeling, and basic circuit design—to build something unique. It’s not overly complex tech-wise, but the creativity and thought going into the experience and appearance of the piece make it really special.

Materials Gathered and Electronics Ready

All the main electronics are in hand:

• LEDs

• End switches

• Battery pack

• Arduino Nano

Everything’s been soldered together and tested. When a bottle is placed or removed, the LEDs respond instantly, and the system is wired to trigger sound playback for added immersion. It’s simple circuitry but wired thoughtfully to make the interaction smooth and clean.

Finalizing the tolerances:

One of the most important pieces of this project has been getting the coaster mechanism working just right. This is the small platform each bottle sits on, which drops slightly when the bottle is placed, pressing an end switch underneath. That tiny motion is what activates both the lights and the sound for that slot.

The tolerances here were super important. Too tight, and the coaster gets stuck. Too loose, and it doesn’t press the switch reliably. After a lot of testing, I found the perfect balance—tight enough to move smoothly on rails without wobble, but loose enough that the spring-loaded system returns it to position when the bottle is removed. It’s a small motion, but it makes a big difference in how responsive and solid the system feels.

3D Printing and Decorative Work Ahead

With the main coaster design finalized, I now just need to print four more of those along with the decorative pieces:

• Faux wood siding for the shelf

• 3D pine trees to create a forest backdrop

• Detailed perk logos for each bottle slot

These finishing touches are what will really sell the cozy cabin theme and tie the whole thing together visually.

What’s Next

Now that the electronics are functional and the mechanical design is finalized, the next step is full assembly. I’ll be focusing on mounting the components cleanly, running hidden wiring, and adding the final visual elements to make it feel like a polished product. This includes making and decorating the bottles and logos which my progress is shown below.

Summary

It’s been exciting to see this project come together using simple electronics and ideas I’ve learned throughout college. There’s nothing too fancy in terms of parts—just thoughtful use of switches, lights, and movement to create a display that feels alive and personal. I’m proud of how it’s turning out, and I can’t wait to finish it up and share the final version soon.