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

[sjeff35]

Well, just finished reading all 245 pages of this thread.
My head is spinning....

 

[MLSReefer]

Well, just finished reading all 245 pages of this thread.
My head is spinning....

I just spent almost the whole morning reading all of this. I'm right there with you. I should probably get back to work... ;Sorry

 

[Erica-Renee]

Show your messy desk!!!

I just added the lighting function to Reef-pi. (While on a conference call for work, don't tell my boss)...

And it appears to be working:

I can't thank you enough @Ranjib for this!!! I'm a total noob at this, but I'm figuring it out.

That crooked heat sink on that Pi bothers me.. They Desk looks perfectly normal to me

 

[sjeff35]

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

I'm really interested in doing this, but totally confused by the whole Serial(DB9) interface setup. Have you documented that yet? If not, where could I go for more info?

Thanks

 

[Ranjib]

I'm really interested in doing this, but totally confused by the whole Serial(DB9) interface setup. Have you documented that yet? If not, where could I go for more info?

Thanks

Its very simple, dont let all these buzz words deter you
This is the powerstrip: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007EYHBVQ/
This is the connector that you have to mount on reef-pi housing and connect the uln2803 outputs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075HW26HX/
This is the wire that connects reef-pi (housing) with the powerstrip: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QM8ZP5E/

You need pi, a uln2803 (8 channels, input connected to 8 GPIO from pi, outputs connected to the db9)., a 12v power supply to power pi and the uln2803, since the relay pack works on 12v, an lm2596 module (to convert 12v -> 5v for pi).

 

[Ranjib]

Well, just finished reading all 245 pages of this thread.
My head is spinning....

wow .. what you think about the whole journey , from the very first hacked up wooden housing, to the intermediate somewhats better wooden housing (i learned little bit wood work by then) to the current form factor (uxcell plastic enclosures). The software itself (feature and UI) has changed , as well as the some of the ancillary parts.
The only thing that remains somewhat same is pi, pca9685, ds18b20 combo ....
anyway.. now you know the whole journey.

 

[Ranjib]

This is a somewhat recent parts list for building a power controller + temperature controller: http://a.co/39OPYUX , i made this list for another r2r user

 

[sjeff35]

Its very simple, dont let all these buzz words deter you
This is the powerstrip: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007EYHBVQ/
This is the connector that you have to mount on reef-pi housing and connect the uln2803 outputs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075HW26HX/
This is the wire that connects reef-pi (housing) with the powerstrip: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QM8ZP5E/

You need pi, a uln2803 (8 channels, input connected to 8 GPIO from pi, outputs connected to the db9)., a 12v power supply to power pi and the uln2803, since the relay pack works on 12v, an lm2596 module (to convert 12v -> 5v for pi).

Easy for you to say.

Has anyone drawn up a schematic???

My cart on Amazon is full now. Just put a 3d printer in there.

 

[philshel]

Its very simple, dont let all these buzz words deter you
This is the powerstrip: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007EYHBVQ/
This is the connector that you have to mount on reef-pi housing and connect the uln2803 outputs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075HW26HX/
This is the wire that connects reef-pi (housing) with the powerstrip: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QM8ZP5E/

You need pi, a uln2803 (8 channels, input connected to 8 GPIO from pi, outputs connected to the db9)., a 12v power supply to power pi and the uln2803, since the relay pack works on 12v, an lm2596 module (to convert 12v -> 5v for pi).

Another question please. How do you get 8 signals, vcc, and ground through a 9 pin cable?

 

[Des Westcott]

I've just upgraded from 1.5 to 2.0 beta3 and broken it

https://1drv.ms/u/s!ArJ_ojTdw8EZkCz2weRv4ir6hJJR

What did I do wrong? I've got that pink bar across the top and I can't get the dashboard to work properly. I can't set up ATO or edit it.

 

[Des Westcott]

I just upgraded Reef-Pi from 1.5 to 2.0beta3 and I've broken it!

Dashboard won't load, ATO settings are unavailable etc etc. It's a mess. What did I do and how do I fix it?

I've got this pink block at the top - Why is that?

 

[Ranjib]

I just upgraded Reef-Pi from 1.5 to 2.0beta3 and I've broken it!

Dashboard won't load, ATO settings are unavailable etc etc. It's a mess. What did I do and how do I fix it?

I've got this pink block at the top - Why is that?

You have changed 1.5 to 2.0 beta, this is a major breaking change hence your ato is not working. You have to create an inlet in settings-> connectors (with the same PIN number that u used for ato in 1.5). And then associate that ato with the new inlet. In 2.0 reef-pi support multiple ato, and they are connected to inlet (same as equipment are connected to outlet)


Ignore the pink block on top, it’s a benign ui bug that’s in the beta release, will be gone in next release.
The dashboard loading issue is another known bug , if you click on the other tabs and then come back to the dashboard tab, it will be alright. I have fixed this bug already, and will be released this weekend

 

[Ranjib]

Another question please. How do you get 8 signals, vcc, and ground through a 9 pin cable?

Uln2803 is a sync type ic. So, you just pass the 12 v (wired to gnd of db9 connector), and each output of uln2803 to One data pin of the db9 connector

 

[Fish Fan]

Hi guys!

I'm sorry, I've been busy, and lost track of some of the most recent developments to the ReefPi project. Could someone please remind me: Can ReefPi control and ideally dim those inexpensive PAR 38 bulbs? Or, Are there any other inexpensive lights or bulbs that works well with ReefPi, and would do well on a 6.6 gallon Imagitarium AIO. I'm just looking to do some easy going softies and such, and not looking to spend big money on a light for this particular project. I very much appreciate everyone's help!

-FishFan

 

[Ranjib]

Hi guys!

I'm sorry, I've been busy, and lost track of some of the most recent developments to the ReefPi project. Could someone please remind me: Can ReefPi control and ideally dim those inexpensive PAR 38 bulbs? Or, Are there any other inexpensive lights or bulbs that works well with ReefPi, and would do well on a 6.6 gallon Imagitarium AIO. I'm just looking to do some easy going softies and such, and not looking to spend big money on a light for this particular project. I very much appreciate everyone's help!

-FishFan

You’ll need a meanwell or similar driver for the par38 bulb. You have to still hack that bulb (pretty much destroy the housing) to salvage its power supply , which will feed into the meanwell driver , and reef-pi will send the control signal to meanwell driver

 

[Fish Fan]

Ranjib, is there an inexpensive light you could suggest I look for to light a 6.6 gallon softie tank? Didn't you use a PAR bulb over your Imagitarium 3.3? I have the "big brother" to your tank.

Thank you very much!

-FF

 

[Ranjib]

Ranjib, is there an inexpensive light you could suggest I look for to light a 6.6 gallon softie tank? Didn't you use a PAR bulb over your Imagitarium 3.3? I have the "big brother" to your tank.

Thank you very much!

-FF

ABI Tuna blue , 27 watt

 

[Fish Fan]

Thank you for the reply! That's basically the bulb I was thinking about. Would this bulb require the "hacking" you mentioned before, or is this easy to use with ReefPi?

-FF

 

[Ranjib]

Thank you for the reply! That's basically the bulb I was thinking about. Would this bulb require the "hacking" you mentioned before, or is this easy to use with ReefPi?

-FF

All the bulbs I know of , will require extensive hacking. They are not built to be controlled by external signal, hence ...

Did you look at blue acro leds ? That’s another option I think

 

[Fish Fan]

Ranjib, I'm a noob, so I may not be explaining myself well, but maybe I could just ask this question instead: I want to start a small 6.6 gallon build, and I'm really trying to use it as a way to learn ReefPi; that's a big part of my goal. I'd also like this tank to be as frugal as possible, which I know was always an underlying theme in your ReefPi project. I have everything I need to start the tank, with the exception of a light. I am ideally looking for something inexpensive, and I'd like it to be controlled as easily as possible with ReefPi. Is there a light you could suggest for this tank? Again, just easy going softies, nothing crazy. I am in no way sold on the PAR bulbs (or any lighting). And if I have to, I would go with a Kessil A80 because I'm pretty sure this light "plays nicely" with ReefPi, but ideally I hope to spend a little less on this tank. I hope that makes sense! Anything you could reccomend would be very helpful! For example, how would you personally light a 6.6 gallon tank? Would you just get a Kessil A80, or is there an alternative?

Thank you very, very much for your help!

-FishFan