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

[Ranjib]

Ranjib, it looks like I didn't have the SD card formatted correctly. I have it working now thanks to your suggestion of the Adafruit tutorial. Thanks for helping out the new guy!

You are most welcome. Keep us posted. I also struggled in the beginning, remember I myself learned electronics and many more things on the way

 

[pickupman66]

Pinning out and assigning outlets!

 

[pickupman66]

So, i had to redo my assignments. and I have an outlet that is Ghost locked. GPIO 16 states in-use but i have not assigned it. i may have before then i redid to order them properly according to the power bar and my OCD. now that one is in-use and i cannot assign it. it shows in-use on the config page but is not used in equipment. i get this error {"error":"Failed to create. Error: Outlet is already in use (Equipment ID: 7)"} | HTTP 500

 

[Ranjib]

Pinning out and assigning outlets!

Nice voltage regulator. I bet its bit expensive than the lm2596 modules we recommend now.

 

[pickupman66]

Buck Boost Converter Display, DROK Auto Buck-Boost Board DC 5.5-30V 12v to DC 0.5-30V 5v 24v Adjustable Constant Current Voltage Step UP Down Voltage Regulator 4A 50W Power Supply Module https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0789QVKKF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Z2WIBbBKFMGMQ

About $14 so not bad. It's spot on with my multimeter

 

[Ranjib]

So, i had to redo my assignments. and I have an outlet that is Ghost locked. GPIO 16 states in-use but i have not assigned it. i may have before then i redid to order them properly according to the power bar and my OCD. now that one is in-use and i cannot assign it. it shows in-use on the config page but is not used in equipment. i get this error {"error":"Failed to create. Error: Outlet is already in use (Equipment ID: 7)"} | HTTP 500

I think I know this issue, and cant think of any easy workaround other than recreating that outlet by resetting database

 

[pickupman66]

How is the database reset? Can it be accessed and edited?

 

[Ranjib]

How is the database reset? Can it be accessed and edited?

reef-pi uses boltdb, which is an embedded database in go. You can only open/edit it in go programming language. When I say reset database, i mean delete existing database and recreate things
https://reef-pi.github.io/additional-documentation/troubleshooting/

 

[pickupman66]

Ok. Thank you. I'll probably go ahead and reset.

Got it in an enclosure tonight. I will probably use cat5 cable to go from my closet to the tank for the float switch and the temp probe. I have this nifty breakout from my archon that takes Cat5 and breaks it to screw terminals. This way I can easily hook and unhook in the closet and also in the tank area.

 

[Ranjib]

Ok. Thank you. I'll probably go ahead and reset.

Got it in an enclosure tonight. I will probably use cat5 cable to go from my closet to the tank for the float switch and the temp probe. I have this nifty breakout from my archon that takes Cat5 and breaks it to screw terminals. This way I can easily hook and unhook in the closet and also in the tank area.

Nice. I am curious about the current draw from two set of db9 connector/sr p8 powerstrips. Let us know how it works one you tested it with both powerstrip hooked up.

 

[pickupman66]

Total draw for the system and a single db9 is 0.030 amps according to the display. That is with 7 of the 8 outlets on. I need to reset reef-pi for that 8th outlet.

 

[Ranjib]

Total draw for the system and a single db9 is 0.030 amps according to the display. That is with 7 of the 8 outlets on. I need to reset reef-pi for that 8th outlet.

Thats not too bad. I am trying to understand if a 12v 1A powersupply will be enough to power a pi zero + two set of adj sr p8 power strip.

It will be awesome if it works, it means users can build a 16 outlet power controller within 150$.

 

[Michael Lane]

Thats not too bad. I am trying to understand if a 12v 1A powersupply will be enough to power a pi zero + two set of adj sr p8 power strip.

It will be awesome if it works, it means users can build a 16 outlet power controller within 150$.

1 amp might work, but may not be reliable. The relays used in the sr p8 have a nomimal current of 77 mA. Although it isn't likely to happen, if all 16 relays were to switch at the same time, that would far exceed the power supplies capability. A 2 amp supply would be more reliable, and shouldn't really cost much more. If you already have the 1A supply, you probably won't have a problem, but random pi resets could be a symptom to look out for.

 

[pickupman66]

Tank is now 90% under reef-pi control. Jebao programming and skimmer are the lone holdouts


Just for notes. The SRP8 db9 pinout is as follows

Plug 1 - 6
Plug 2 - 1
Plug 3 - 3
Plug 4 - 2
Plug 5 - 9
Plug 6 - 7
Plug 7 - 8
Plug 8 - 4

Dc is #5

Also did some upgrades. Added a rj-45 jack for coms to the tank for ATO and temps. I have 3 wire left on this. At the tank it connects to a breakout. I am running two probes for now.

 

[Ranjib]

Tank is now 90% under reef-pi control. Jebao programming and skimmer are the lone holdouts


Just for notes. The SRP8 db9 pinout is as follows

Plug 1 - 6
Plug 2 - 1
Plug 3 - 3
Plug 4 - 2
Plug 5 - 9
Plug 6 - 7
Plug 7 - 8
Plug 8 - 4

Dc is #5

Also did some upgrades. Added a rj-45 jack for coms to the tank for ATO and temps. I have 3 wire left on this. At the tank it connects to a breakout. I am running two probes for now.

Very nice. I love the CAT5/RJ45 breakout board. Can you share the link for getting those :0-). I bet others would benefit from the db9 pin mapping. You don't mind I copy it in the official docs? Users can at least have some expectation or cross verify. I'll definitely do the same on my end

 

[pickupman66]

I did a quick search but could not find the exact same one. I know I ordered it off Amazon. Here is a slightly different model but same principle

Dual RJ45 Ethernet Connector Breakout Board w/ LED Screw terminals https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BAHLWZ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_-WeJBbFQA74PN

I have no issues with you using any of these findings in the instructions. I'm happy to help.

 

[Ranjib]

I did a quick search but could not find the exact same one. I know I ordered it off Amazon. Here is a slightly different model but same principle

Dual RJ45 Ethernet Connector Breakout Board w/ LED Screw terminals https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BAHLWZ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_-WeJBbFQA74PN

I have no issues with you using any of these findings in the instructions. I'm happy to help.

Thank you. I worry that RJ45 connectors are harder to build due to special crimping tool requirement. But they are definitely better than audio connector for temperature sensors.

 

[pickupman66]

Agreed. I happened to have a crimp tool. The little recepticals you can buy like I used in the box come with a little pinch down tool but need solid core wire to work best. I had to strip back the connecting wires to reveal the strands as the insulation was not pierced.


I checked and I'm at ~$165 on my build plus some cost of extra materials and junk I had laying around. Plus some extra junk ordered that I plan to return.


I'm anxious to build a pwm circuit for jebao pump controls and hope to use the 2nd rj-45 for signaling.

 

[Ranjib]

Agreed. I happened to have a crimp tool. The little recepticals you can buy like I used in the box come with a little pinch down tool but need solid core wire to work best. I had to strip back the connecting wires to reveal the strands as the insulation was not pierced.


I checked and I'm at ~$165 on my build plus some cost of extra materials and junk I had laying around. Plus some extra junk ordered that I plan to return.


I'm anxious to build a pwm circuit for jebao pump controls and hope to use the 2nd rj-45 for signaling.

I'm playing with a drok BLDC board to control icecap gyre 1K. I left it halfway, since I got busy with documentation. I dont see the situation changes till almost Christmas (and may be some bugfixing/coding in between).

 

[pickupman66]

I'm good with that. I'm letting the reef-pi run side by side with my Archon. Reef-pi owns the power supplies, archon owns the pulsing and a 50% throttle back at night. Next month I'll add the 2nd srdj8. I have a nifty pinned out uln2803 I'll use and just add the necessary jumpers over.


I'll see if I can break out some cosi for you for wavemaking.