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Post by foggman on Mar 30, 2014 10:56:29 GMT -5
So something that I've wanted for quite awhile as a reef controller, but the cost of them is a little out of my budget. So I've decided to make my own using the arduino mega. I have been doing a lot of reading on it and I am ready to take on the project. My plans for items to control are, sun rise/sunset on my value LEDs, temp, wave makers, feeding cycle, ATO, Ph. Moon lights (might incorporate in to my LEDs if I can get them to dim properly) and then anything else that I can think of along the way. I don't have any pics yet as parts are just starting arrive, and I am still working on the programming. If anyone here has experience with C++ programming and wants to give me a hand on the programming end (I'm sure I will get lost somewhere) that would be awsome. More posts to follow, and if I can get it working properly I will make them avaible to other members of MFS at a real good price, basicly material + frags or something like that.
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Post by speedyron on Mar 30, 2014 11:43:35 GMT -5
I'm really interested in this. how much cheaper u think it will be then buying one.
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Post by foggman on Mar 30, 2014 13:54:03 GMT -5
I'm really interested in this. how much cheaper u think it will be then buying one. Quite a bit cheaper I'm in it for about $35 right now, it I have the equiptment to do my lights, and temp, the only extra cost for the other items would be probes and relays, depending on what you want it to do. BRS has the apex jr for 239 and it only does temp and lights, but I don't think it would work with my LEDs |
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Post by Pokahpolice on Mar 30, 2014 13:54:25 GMT -5
I'm also working on an Arduino based controller. Did some work on my light today. I hit a road block on the touch screen and wasted half the day trying to get it working. Failed... share your code/project as you go and I'll do the same. I'm also a beginner but maybe we can help eachother as we go. I'm really interested in this. how much cheaper u think it will be then buying one. I'm not sure it's cheaper starting from scratch...meaning with no knowledge or equipment. By the time you buy a book, breadboard, wire, solder gun, solder, Arduino mega board, shields, relays, sensors, LED drivers, buttons, power sources, multi meter, RTC, LCD screen, ext, ext, ext. You could have bought an entry level controller. But, once you have these things and build a knowledge base, components are very cheap and the capabilities are endless. Eventually you end up with a high end controller at a fraction of the cost. |
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Post by Pokahpolice on Mar 30, 2014 13:57:09 GMT -5
I'm really interested in this. how much cheaper u think it will be then buying one. Quite a bit cheaper I'm in it for about $35 right now, it I have the equiptment to do my lights, and temp, the only extra cost for the other items would be probes and relays, depending on what you want it to do. BRS has the apex jr for 239 and it only does temp and lights, but I don't think it would work with my LEDs What are you using for lights? Is it prebuilt or a custom LED |
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Post by speedyron on Mar 30, 2014 14:20:28 GMT -5
will it have Internet Connectivity, phone and text alerts, over temperature protection, mobile phone and tablet access, how many independently controlled outlets. will it be run from a pc with virtual machine type software. Just trying to get a feel for where u are going with this
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Post by Pokahpolice on Mar 30, 2014 14:35:20 GMT -5
Arduino is an open source hardware. Basically it's a microprocessor that has been designed for the everyday hobbyist to utilize computer automation. You build circuits, add components, and then program it through a version of 'C' programming. It's capabilities are based on your knowledge. All the above is achievable if you know how to put it all together and can program it. Here is a pic of some of the components  |
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Post by foggman on Mar 30, 2014 14:39:02 GMT -5
@pokah I am using the 20x4 LCD, not a touch screen so my code will be a little diffrent, my LEDs are pre built reef breeder value fixtures. Once I get my sketch done I will send it to you, i am basing mine off of some that I have seen on diffrent forums speedyron the model I'm making will not have all that stuff to start with but it is in my plan to have that ability |
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Post by Pokahpolice on Mar 30, 2014 14:45:35 GMT -5
@pokah I am using the 20x4 LCD, not a touch screen so my code will be a little diffrent, my LEDs are pre built reef breeder value fixtures. Once I get my sketch done I will send it to you, i am basing mine off of some that I have seen on diffrent forums speedyron the model I'm making will not have all that stuff to start with but it is in my plan to have that ability How are you going to use the Arduino to control the level of dim on that fixture? |
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Post by speedyron on Mar 30, 2014 15:03:05 GMT -5
so u have to write the program on a pc? Is there already a base program that u just alter or the whole thing from scrap. Are u the first to use this type of controller in this application or can u use something someone else has already written? Is hard to tell from picture but looks like relays and a board with a micro chip on it and some leds are building your own lights also? how much you say u have invested in that pile stuff so far? looks expensive
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Post by Pokahpolice on Mar 30, 2014 15:44:00 GMT -5
Yes written on a PC and downloaded to the microprocessor via USB. There is a ton of code out there that people have written and there are some base programs that come with the application. A bunch of guys are using these for reef controllers. For prices on my build check out this thread mainefragswap.proboards.com/thread/1669/pokahs-gallon-sps-nano-build. |
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Post by foggman on Mar 30, 2014 15:47:48 GMT -5
@pokah I am using the 20x4 LCD, not a touch screen so my code will be a little diffrent, my LEDs are pre built reef breeder value fixtures. Once I get my sketch done I will send it to you, i am basing mine off of some that I have seen on diffrent forums speedyron the model I'm making will not have all that stuff to start with but it is in my plan to have that ability How are you going to use the Arduino to control the level of dim on that fixture? I am hoping to use the PWM outputs on the mega This is how I am wiring my lights depending on your driver you could do it the same way sites.google.com/site/caddnima/myreeftank/led_controller |
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Post by Pokahpolice on Mar 30, 2014 16:29:49 GMT -5
Still not clear how you plan on achieving this. Your light fixture is prebuilt with dimmer knobs (analog). Are you taking it apart and rewiring it? Are the drivers in your fixture PWM compatible? If not than you need to add drivers that are capable of receiving a PWM signal (digital).
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Post by foggman on Mar 30, 2014 17:14:32 GMT -5
yes I am taking them apart, i am going to tap in to the dimming wires for the driver. I am fairly sure they will accept PWM if not then i will figuar out a diffrent way to dim them.
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Post by speedyron on Mar 30, 2014 17:52:35 GMT -5
I dont understand why u cant just use some kind of virtual machine program and have outlets like this www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufacturer/X-10-Pro/Item/CM11A/ I just dont see the need for a board and a chip just let the pc tell it when to turn on and off depending the information it is getting from sensors or a time schedule you have programmed into it. all that is needed for this is an interface that connects the sensors to the pc and the b4 linked outlet controllers. Im sure they must make these interfaces already. |
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