occ_motorcycles
Active Member
I want to buil a simple DIY controller. I want the basics but think that a touch screen is cool. Anyone out there know of a place to buy a DIY controller. Or know where to get a non DIY for under 100?
Diy controlers... Do they exist?
- Thread starter occ_motorcycles
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Dave A
Active Member
I'm just taking a break from ordering parts to build a Jarduino. It's DIY, has a touch screen and should wind up under $100, that covers all your requirements. I don't have a link handy but it should be easy enough to find.
OP
OP
occ_motorcycles
Active Member
Interesting. After looking at the availability of the parts in a build I saw I may try that but I can see where this becomes a long expensive trial and error project.
Fieroguy19
Community Member
If you look up reef angel it is based on using an arduino to program and control things. You can probably build an arduino and then use some of their code since it is free to download I think.
Dave A
Active Member
The Typhon is a controller for LEDs only, it does not control power heads, heaters, ATO or anything else. With a little work, I'm sure it could be modified to do more but this would add to the cost, bringing it in line with some of the other options.
GHill762
Valuable Member
For whatever reason I assumed this is what the op was asking about was an led controller.. lol..
Sent from my SCH-R530U using Reef2Reef Aquarium Forum mobile app
OP
OP
occ_motorcycles
Active Member
Actually a general controller like a neptune apex jr
robby2782
Well-Known Member
You can get a Reef Keeper kit for $200 through Marine Depot. I have one on my smaller system and I've had less issues with it than my Neptune.
It controls my lights, ATO, fans, heater, and pump too. It also comes with a ph and temp probe.
It controls my lights, ATO, fans, heater, and pump too. It also comes with a ph and temp probe.
OP
OP
occ_motorcycles
Active Member
fragmatic
retired reefer
What do you want to control? I control my heaters and fans (and could control a chiller) with an STC-1000. This guy controls my temp to with in ±.03°C. I have one on my display system and on my change water tank. They are professional grade and are used extensively in manufacturing and beer batch control and come complete with the probe and a 6 foot lead. There is some sticker shock though, They cost a whopping $35, give or take. I got both of mine for $70 to my door. You need some minor wiring skill as they use wire screw terminal. Be sure to select one for 110vac, and if you live in the US be sure to order it from a place that ships them from inside the states. E-bay is full of them.
They will control up to 30 amps via on board mini relays. I use those contacts to drive secondary commercial grade ice-cube Potter-Bumfield relays, but you could use the contacts to run ice-cube relays from Radio Shack just as well. Be sure to select relays with 110vac coils with contacts rated for more than enough amps to handle your heaters.
As a test I actually removed the relays from one of the units (not like I was going to blow many $$$) and used the solder joints from the on board relay locations to instead power the coils of a couple of Potter Bumfield ice cubes remotely with light gauge wire. This way I could power 4X4 boxes with tandem outlets off a power feed to the relay contacts and plug in my heaters and fans. The relays are tucked inside the 4x4 boxes. That rig works perfectly.
An STC=1000 is 3" x 3" x 1" and the face is about 3-1/4" by 1-1/4". It is designed to face mount like a modern car stereo.
I control everything else off a bank of common timers and 4x4 boxes of light switches, well except for the ATOs (they are DIY units and have never failed me). I control different wall outlets in 4x4 boxes set up in a bank with different timers and a bank of 4x4 boxes with labeled light switches, and some relay logic. These things are dirt cheap.
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robby2782
Well-Known Member
Wanna sell your neptune
I use that on my display. It controls my vortechs and reactors too.
Dave A
Active Member
The apex Jr is pretty limited in what it can do. There's no PWM and you'd need to add modules to control LEDs with 0-10v analog. There's also no pH unless you purchase another module. If you want all the bells and whistles the Reef Angel does a lot more and costs less, if your needs are more modest the Jarduino may be a good fit. There are many other DIY controllers to choose if you look around, there's a crazy long thread on another forum that looks pretty good.
robby2782
Well-Known Member
I wasn't talking about the Apex Jr if you're referring to me. $200 is hard to beat for everything the REEF KEEPER Lite does.
My Apex setup was nearly 1k for all my modules and the initial setup. It was also 10x harder to program for me.
My Apex setup was nearly 1k for all my modules and the initial setup. It was also 10x harder to program for me.
Dave A
Active Member
Nope, I was responding to the OP's comment in post #10. But now that you mention it, the RKL is a good few notches below the Apex Jr, what with just 4 outlets and the limit of only 4 add-on.
When I was shopping for my first controller, I started by looking at the RKL. My immediate needs included 8 outlets and 1 or 2 dimming channels, along with the obvious ATO, pH and temp. I also knew that my planned upgrades would require a few more dimming channels and WiFi within a few months. I'd need the RKL with an SL1 and an extra 4 outlets to start, a dimming module within a few weeks (analog only, pwm not even available), that's almost $300. I'd need to add WiFi down the road and maybe another dimming module, that brings it to almost $500 and 5 expansion modules. Too bad the RKL can only take 4 expansion modules. Add to that DA,s reputation and I knew it was time to look elsewhere.
I looked at the Apex Jr next. It can take enough upgrades to handle my needs but, again, it would have set me back almost $300 to get started and $500 in the near future. If I had to spend that much, I might as well get the RKE (crappy support aside) or Full Apex. Next was DIY, I looked into building a Hydra and it seemed like the way to get what I wanted for $200-300.
That's when I heard about the Reef Angel. The base system does exactly what I needed right away and at $219 it was about the same price as building my own but without the work. I've since added 6 more dimming channels and WiFi and I'm right around $400. Better still, I can still add a few dozen more modules if I want and RAs service and support have been excellent.
As I've stated, my next build will be much simpler. I went with pwm on my last LED build and I don't see ever going back to analog. My needs this time are simple; 4 pwm channels, 2 temp probes, heater control and 2 power head outlets. I might want to add WiFi, ATO and pH down the road. The Jarduino fits this pretty well and I should be able to build one for $100.
That's why I say it's important to make a list of what you need and find the controller that fits those needs best,
When I was shopping for my first controller, I started by looking at the RKL. My immediate needs included 8 outlets and 1 or 2 dimming channels, along with the obvious ATO, pH and temp. I also knew that my planned upgrades would require a few more dimming channels and WiFi within a few months. I'd need the RKL with an SL1 and an extra 4 outlets to start, a dimming module within a few weeks (analog only, pwm not even available), that's almost $300. I'd need to add WiFi down the road and maybe another dimming module, that brings it to almost $500 and 5 expansion modules. Too bad the RKL can only take 4 expansion modules. Add to that DA,s reputation and I knew it was time to look elsewhere.
I looked at the Apex Jr next. It can take enough upgrades to handle my needs but, again, it would have set me back almost $300 to get started and $500 in the near future. If I had to spend that much, I might as well get the RKE (crappy support aside) or Full Apex. Next was DIY, I looked into building a Hydra and it seemed like the way to get what I wanted for $200-300.
That's when I heard about the Reef Angel. The base system does exactly what I needed right away and at $219 it was about the same price as building my own but without the work. I've since added 6 more dimming channels and WiFi and I'm right around $400. Better still, I can still add a few dozen more modules if I want and RAs service and support have been excellent.
As I've stated, my next build will be much simpler. I went with pwm on my last LED build and I don't see ever going back to analog. My needs this time are simple; 4 pwm channels, 2 temp probes, heater control and 2 power head outlets. I might want to add WiFi, ATO and pH down the road. The Jarduino fits this pretty well and I should be able to build one for $100.
That's why I say it's important to make a list of what you need and find the controller that fits those needs best,
OP
OP
occ_motorcycles
Active Member
My needs are ato temp dimmers(4or 6) powerhead plugs and a few other extra timed plugs.
OP
OP
occ_motorcycles
Active Member
I understand everyone has a favorite and some may like one more than another due to their own personal situation.
I have tons to think about and I think for now I will leave it alone for a while.
Thanks to all that posted and keep up the great work making this place amazing.
I have tons to think about and I think for now I will leave it alone for a while.
Thanks to all that posted and keep up the great work making this place amazing.
Dave A
Active Member
ATO is not currently available for the Jarduino, it shouldn't be to hard to add if you decide to go that route. A more "full featured" DIY might be better for you. You're not beyond the capabilities of the Apex Jr or RKL but you'd need enough add one that they won't be cost effective and you won't have much room for future expansion. Reef Angel is a good option but you'll need to add a dimming expansion module (the base unit has only 2 channels). One big advantage of RA is the ability to use either pwm or analog dimming (or both), so you can buy whichever module you prefer.
