Essential Power Bar - DIY Single PCB design with 3D printed case

AquariumSupplyOnline.com
Jump to Last
Some new design snapshots. Basically the same, except the relays nicely mesh under the outlets now. The low voltage parts aren't moved around, but the case bosses got some ergonomic adjustments:

build3.png



build4.png

build5.png
 
Chewy.com
Top Shelf Aquatics
Great work im very interested in this using a esp32 it would mesh right into home assistant and node red for control and automation. Does it have power monitoring on the outlets that would be a great plus if it does or could be implemented in the design.
 
Orphek OR3 reef aquarium LED bar
Bio said:
Great work im very interested in this using a esp32 it would mesh right into home assistant and node red for control and automation. Does it have power monitoring on the outlets that would be a great plus if it does or could be implemented in the design.
Click to expand...

Nothing built in for simplicity. Can be added. I had actually started down this route, at least for a central power meter (per port adds money if you don't want to roll our own integrators like Neptune did with the PSoCs), but that went past the "make it easy to make for people, avoid SMD" approach :)

Since I mixed the order with the more complicated DCBuddy board, it took a whole week to make and ship.
 
@theatrus I am in the need to replace one of my janky power strips but can I attach this via my normal reef-pi? I have 5v headers and IO ports coming off my hat and that is what I am using today but wasn't clear if I could do that with this build or not, probably a dumb question but thought I would ask, thanks.
 
bishoptf said:
@theatrus I am in the need to replace one of my janky power strips but can I attach this via my normal reef-pi? I have 5v headers and IO ports coming off my hat and that is what I am using today but wasn't clear if I could do that with this build or not, probably a dumb question but thought I would ask, thanks.
Click to expand...

You can - you can attach those GPIOs to the matching pins on the board, and just not attach an ESP32 or Reef-Pi. The relay power supply is all on board, so just the GPIOs and the GND pin would be needed.
 
theatrus said:
You can - you can attach those GPIOs to the matching pins on the board, and just not attach an ESP32 or Reef-Pi. The relay power supply is all on board, so just the GPIOs and the GND pin would be needed.
Click to expand...
So what is the input power wise, 12v? One more question what would it take to scale out to make a 8 outlet version. I know you made it for 3d print out but you could make a 2 piece print and just glue it together. I guess the other thing I could do is to make 2 of them and just use them separately. Guess i need to get looking at a parts list since the 5v relays i am using now appear to not always want to work, my other option is to go with another dj power strip.
 
bishoptf said:
So what is the input power wise, 12v? One more question what would it take to scale out to make a 8 outlet version. I know you made it for 3d print out but you could make a 2 piece print and just glue it together. I guess the other thing I could do is to make 2 of them and just use them separately. Guess i need to get looking at a parts list since the 5v relays i am using now appear to not always want to work, my other option is to go with another dj power strip.
Click to expand...

Its self powered - the AC/DC brick inside produces the 12V, and there is a regulator for 5V for powering logic (which won't be needed, though you could use externally or not attach the regulator).

Outside of the case its fairly straight forward to throw on more outlets (double row), just don't have the cycles to do that at the moment.

Parts list is on the last page of the PDF here: https://github.com/blueacro/reefvol...blob/main/pcb/pdf/schematics_bom_assembly.pdf

I hadn't gotten to the build guide :-D, but the PCB works for my use so far.

If you don't attach the Pi or ESP32, you can omit a lot of parts - the terminal blocks, buzzer, the circuits around 1wire, many of the ceramic caps. Basically any parts starting with 4xx and 3xx.
 
theatrus said:
Its self powered - the AC/DC brick inside produces the 12V, and there is a regulator for 5V for powering logic (which won't be needed, though you could use externally or not attach the regulator).

Outside of the case its fairly straight forward to throw on more outlets (double row), just don't have the cycles to do that at the moment.

Parts list is on the last page of the PDF here: https://github.com/blueacro/reefvol...blob/main/pcb/pdf/schematics_bom_assembly.pdf

I hadn't gotten to the build guide :-D, but the PCB works for my use so far.

If you don't attach the Pi or ESP32, you can omit a lot of parts - the terminal blocks, buzzer, the circuits around 1wire, many of the ceramic caps. Basically any parts starting with 4xx and 3xx.
Click to expand...
Nother dumb question could i bqck feed 12v through the expansion ports. I already have 12v and wondering if i skip the power supply and feed 12v from the expansion would that work for the relays?
 
Tidal Gardens
I like the project, but in my point of view electronic shouldn't use 70% of space. It's because you decided to go with multiple jacks for peripherals. Look on mass production smart power bars- they are thin and utilizing space for 100%
For me- I just can't fit so huge box for just 4 outlets
 
yury88 said:
I like the project, but in my point of view electronic shouldn't use 70% of space. It's because you decided to go with multiple jacks for peripherals. Look on mass production smart power bars- they are thin and utilizing space for 100%
For me- I just can't fit so huge box for just 4 outlets
Click to expand...
Yes, it’s not a power bar, it’s a controller base ;)
 
Avast
Ranjib said:
@theatrus let me know if I can be of any help with the software / testing side. Would love to get this working with reef-pi
Click to expand...

Cool! I do have cases and new PCBs here, and running a copy for myself with an ESP32.

The good news is things for the most part work - its just GPIO pins as we all know them :).
 
Ecoscape Reef Rock
I've been experimenting with different software which is easy for tinkering and made a second testing board tonight (though not a complete copy, as it lacks the AC outlets and power supply, just for bench testing :)).
IMG_5824.jpeg


In this case I'm using ESPHome, which is a super easy to use configuration-driven firmware for the ESP32. One of the key benefits is it offers both local control, and exports everything over to Home Assistant with no real configuration needed except declaring something a sensor or switch or output. The dashboard here was built with two clicks:

1714193054405.png

1714193234766.png


The nice part of ESPHome is it encourages you to add local control. In this case, I've made the first outlet a heater control.

1714193324992.png


I posted the quick example as a Gist here. There are some more integration steps, and a few other commands to for example make an ATO from the float switch inputs, but its amazingly compact yet powerful.


And even better, want to update the software or local config? With the ESPHome dashboard running or from a PC, you can simply program it over the air.
 
Last edited:
Ok, a quick informal poll - black base or white base?

The lower shell is printed as ABS (Black) or ASA (White). Its a bit cantankerous since its a large lower section will will warp if you're not careful. But more importantly, I can't tell if the three color or two color shell works better!

IMG_5833.jpeg

IMG_5835.jpeg


I do have some extra case parts right now available (bottom, two top shells, and LED spacers), along with blank PCBs. I may put some of them up on the (currently empty) web store, or just DM me in the interim. I can also do custom colors.


I'm also thinking about an ESP32 only version which adds more outlets, and building it as a SMT+Through hole part, so you can get a PCB pre-loaded with most of the stuff, and solder down the power supply and connectors as a kit. I've been working on getting the DCBuddy made by a contract manufacturer which means I can actually scale to building more than a handful of units before I fall over and fail on delivery, and this would be totally viable for this board as well.

This basic controller with temp and float and I2C add-on honestly covers about 75% of the use cases of an APEX for me.

Gratuitous shot of the RevB internals:
IMG_5836.jpeg
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%

  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%

  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%

  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
See comments…

New Posts

ReefBreeders Meridian
Chewy.com
Tidal Gardens
TCK Corals
Top Shelf Aquatics
Nutramar Foods
World Wide Corals
Dinkins Aquatic Gardens
Deltec
New Posts
Back
Top