The LIS3DH Breakout is a smart, low-power, three-axis, capacitive micro-machined accelerometer with 12 bits of resolution that you can use to add translation detection to your project. It would be classified as a 3DoF, or 3 Degrees of Freedom. Inertial Measurement Units (or IMUs) can provide additional space location data, such as gyroscopic or magnetometric. The LIS3DH provided on this breakout operates under the same principles but gives a few analog inputs to play with, and it has some built-in movement detection abilities.
The LIS3DH from STMicroelectronics is easy to set up; just wire up your choice of interface (SPI or I2C), supply 3.3V, and ground. This sensor works nicely with a breadboard for easy connection, and, because it gives some mass to the accelerometer, it more closely matches what might be expected from a project or cellphone.
The LIS3DH Breakout is a 3.3V device! Supplying voltages greater than ~3.6V can permanently damage the IC. As long as your Arduino has a 3.3V supply output, and you're fine with using I2C, you shouldn't need any extra level shifting. But if you want to use SPI, you may need a level shifter.
If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Rookie - You will need a better fundamental understand of what code is, and how it works. You will be using beginner-level software and development tools like Arduino. You will be dealing directly with code, but numerous examples and libraries are available. Sensors or shields will communicate with serial or TTL.
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If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
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Based on 1 ratings:
I have another LIS3DH from Pololu that works perfectly, so my computer code is not the problem. Another similar accelerometer, ADXL343, from AdaFruit also works perfectly. The parts you sent me have not been electrostatically abused (I have 40+ years experience in electronics)
I don't know how this situation can be resolved; I can send the replacement parts back if you request.