reef-pi :: An opensource reef tank controller based on Raspberry Pi.

[Ranjib]

2.0-beta Smoke test video



Still learning how to make videos. Something I want to do for reef-pi build tutorials ..

 

[ReefSpy]

Hi guys, I am late to the party and have not read all 200 pages of posts. I have also been working on a reef controller using Raspberry Pi but taking a slightly different approach. Are you guys still looking for people to contribute?

 

[Ranjib]

Hi guys, I am late to the party and have not read all 200 pages of posts. I have also been working on a reef controller using Raspberry Pi but taking a slightly different approach. Are you guys still looking for people to contribute?

We are always looking for people to contribute. You don’t have to read the 200 pages unless you want to know the history . Official docs should be ok, and just start building a controller and ask us if you need any help

And, welcome to reef2reef , you’ll love it here . People are very friendly

 

[janos]

Hi to all ,would like to know this relay could work wit this project? Thank you :https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00JJJK2VU/ref=pe_2802810_287895080_em_gn_t1_2p_1_im

 

[ReefSpy]

We are always looking for people to contribute. You don’t have to read the 200 pages unless you want to know the history . Official docs should be ok, and just start building a controller and ask us if you need any help

And, welcome to reef2reef , you’ll love it here . People are very friendly

Thank you! I will download the source and give it a go. I am currently integrating the cheap pH probe/controller from eBay with the pi (the one with board labeled Logo_PHsensor v1.1 that is like $14-$20). I am pretty sure I have it working, but the probe is so cheap the accuracy leaves much to be desired. I have a new probe coming from BRS this week. If it all checks out, I will have something to contribute.

 

[Ranjib]

Hi to all ,would like to know this relay could work wit this project? Thank you :https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00JJJK2VU/ref=pe_2802810_287895080_em_gn_t1_2p_1_im

this is not a relay. this oard controls a relay, you can use this borard to make a wifi enabled power outlet. You can use this instead of reef-pi to build a power controller. If you want to control it directly using reef-pi, you have to look at their ios or android code and then port it back

 

[janos]

Thank you Ranjib not looking for more work with my knowledge,just asking before i buy the wrong thing.

 

[Ranjib]

Thank you Ranjib not looking for more work with my knowledge,just asking before i buy the wrong thing.

If you are in US, get a adj srp8 channel relay pack, db9 connector, db9 cable , uln2803 and you should be gold

 

[janos]

Thank you again,in Canada not so easy but i try to found on amazon.ca.

 

[Des Westcott]

Ranjib.

That video of 2.0 looks awesome.

Here's a quick pic of the tank I'm going to be running on Reef-Pi (500x500x500mm cube - approx 150l)

 

[Des Westcott]

I'm currently using a TC420 to run my 5 channel LED lighting system. Is there anyone that can advise me on how to set up the PCA 9685? I've had a look at the "Builds" section, but am a little unsure how it should be done.

 

[Ranjib]

I'm currently using a TC420 to run my 5 channel LED lighting system. Is there anyone that can advise me on how to set up the PCA 9685? I've had a look at the "Builds" section, but am a little unsure how it should be done.

I have never used tc420. Do you have any datasheet or something i can look at to figure out if they can be externally controlled? I couldn't find anything useful on the net

 

[Des Westcott]

Ranjib

The TC420 controls the 5 channels of lighting. My plan is to replace it with the Reef-Pi, so there will just be 5 channels of 12V LED's. The TC420 takes 12V input and splits it to a common + and 5 -'s that connect straight to the dimmable drivers and LED's. The TC420 runs the timing and dimming programs. I will try dig out more info for you though.

 

[Ranjib]

Ranjib

The TC420 controls the 5 channels of lighting. My plan is to replace it with the Reef-Pi, so there will just be 5 channels of 12V LED's. The TC420 takes 12V input and splits it to a common + and 5 -'s that connect straight to the dimmable drivers and LED's. The TC420 runs the timing and dimming programs. I will try dig out more info for you though.

Got it. So, you want something that will convert the 5v pwm coming from pca9685 to 12v for your LEDs.
Depending upon the current draw, you can start with uln2803 and see if that works out, if not Meanwell drivers will definitely work.

 

[aquaalgae]

Just to give an example of this, you can use the

POST /api/lights/ID

api endpoint to update a lights intensity directly. So, you can write a tiny bash script that loops over and update the light channel intensities, every second

Could you post a sample bash script - just one that updates a couple of channels of pwm so I can see an example of how this works. I am learning python and have made a small python program that will calculate the pwm value for 16 channels based upon the start time, end time, ramp time and current time. I'm not sure how to implement this though....

Thanks

 

[LionHeart2017]

Are we able to use a phone for control of reef-pi, as in an app in the future do you think?

 

[Erica-Renee]

Are we able to use a phone for control of reef-pi, as in an app in the future do you think?

You can do this now from any browser, Just download a client Such as NO-IP ..
https://www.noip.com/download?page=linux

Set it up using there Setup guide . Be sure to create a SUPER Strong password. I used to use this for my IP Cameras .

 

[Ranjib]

Are we able to use a phone for control of reef-pi, as in an app in the future do you think?

reef-pi UI is a website, and can be accessed via mobile. I dont have any plan to write mobile app till 2.0 release at least. I dont know after that I'll write or not, I also dont know if I do wrtite it will be iOS or Android. I personnaly use iPhone, so if I do write an app its likely to be an iOS app first.

In terms of accessing reef-pi from outside your home network, you can setup port forwarding (you can google for your ISP specific steps, i do it using Xfinity portal, AT&T has similar things as well). As @Erica-Renee mentioned, use a strong password & https. And use it temporarily when you need it

 

[LionHeart2017]

I'm using Android, do you get Blynk on iOS? as it has potential to be the perfect companions for phone use.

 

[janos]

Hi to all,would like to know this diagram is good to follow raspberry GPIO pin? Thank you