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

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LionHeart2017 said:
How would you go about powering different dc voltages?

Is a buck converter suitable, I'm thinking not, for tank equipment I'm talking, I have 4 or more things that are different dc voltage, highest being 24v for return pump, 24v power head, 12v ago, 12 volt doser, wanting to cut down on plugs and mess and was going to go with 24v 200w switching power supply, how would I be able to get 12v out as well?
Click to expand...
I like lm2596. You can daisy chain them (share GND) and use one for each required voltage, and have only one input power adapter for the controller (the highest voltage required). I have been able to do this with only one issue, PWM signal generated using this shows high frequency ripples. I believe I have to throw in some capacitors. This is not recommended beyond 24w
 
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Ranjib said:
I like lm2596. You can daisy chain them (share GND) and use one for each required voltage, and have only one input power adapter for the controller (the highest voltage required). I have been able to do this with only one issue, PWM signal generated using this shows high frequency ripples. I believe I have to throw in some capacitors. This is not recommended beyond 24w
Click to expand...
Right, it's good for smaller tanks. I have some 100w return pumps, but I guess they could run on the rail itself as they are 36V. My Tunze Stream 3s are higher power than that also, for example, and run on 24V.
 
rushbattle said:
You guys are thinking like me. I hate all these cheap power supplies all over the place. Need a standardized DC voltage to run the whole system. I am just about there with my tanks, but I still have 24V and 36V. And then the 48V supply for the LEDs but they need their own power supply anyhow.

But the buck converters are not going to step down that well at higher power. At least the ones I've seen. I think 100w is pushing it for sure. Will need quite a bit of heat shedding. I'll stick around to see how this works out, hope it goes well!
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Kind of my mindset, get rid of all the power bricks. I put a single 24v 350w Mean Well power supply to run my lights. I want to see what effect a DC motor has on the lights if I add to the same supply, may need to add some capacitors to the lights if it's an issue. I'm personally a fan of a separate power supply for each voltage but that means allocating more room for each supply, not so bad if the supplies are sized for the loads but that doesn't leave much room for future upgrade power requirements!
 
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I have looked at traco for higher wattage multi output (upto 3 different dc voltage), they are very good , available in enclosed packages, but bit expensive . I am yet to cross this bridge. I’ll be investigating on the pwm / ripple issue in the meantime
 
ScottBrew said:
Kind of my mindset, get rid of all the power bricks. I put a single 24v 350w Mean Well power supply to run my lights. I want to see what effect a DC motor has on the lights if I add to the same supply, may need to add some capacitors to the lights if it's an issue. I'm personally a fan of a separate power supply for each voltage but that means allocating more room for each supply, not so bad if the supplies are sized for the loads but that doesn't leave much room for future upgrade power requirements!
Click to expand...
I had ordered one of the pico psu as well, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PI6Q6K4 but didn’t get a chance to test out.
 
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Ranjib said:
I have looked at traco for higher wattage multi output (upto 3 different dc voltage), they are very good , available in enclosed packages, but bit expensive . I am yet to cross this bridge. I’ll be investigating on the pwm / ripple issue in the meantime
Click to expand...
I just looked up pricing on the Power One (now Bel Power) brand supplies that the systems I work on use frequently. Nevermind, could buy an Apex Fusion for the cost of a multi volt supply! Yikes!
 
BRS
ScottBrew said:
Kind of my mindset, get rid of all the power bricks. I put a single 24v 350w Mean Well power supply to run my lights. I want to see what effect a DC motor has on the lights if I add to the same supply, may need to add some capacitors to the lights if it's an issue. I'm personally a fan of a separate power supply for each voltage but that means allocating more room for each supply, not so bad if the supplies are sized for the loads but that doesn't leave much room for future upgrade power requirements!
Click to expand...
Yup, one rail (meanwell) for each voltage seems like the ideal! I figure just run an oversized supply to allow for more demand, but that hard to predict. My opinion is that the primary benefit is the high quality supply in the meanwell. They are pretty reliability.
 
rushbattle said:
Yup, one rail (meanwell) for each voltage seems like the ideal! I figure just run an oversized supply to allow for more demand, but that hard to predict. My opinion is that the primary benefit is the high quality supply in the meanwell. They are pretty reliability.
Click to expand...
My reef-pi has only been up for a bit over a month but the Mean Well supply's, also have a 5vdc Mean Well for pi, seem very stable.
 
My controller don't show the drop down for sensor on the Temp tab, any ideas?

reef-pi V2.0
Latest software on a Pi 3

upload_2018-12-1_10-24-29.png
 
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Johan Fe Scheepers said:
My controller don't show the drop down for sensor on the Temp tab, any ideas?

reef-pi V2.0
Latest software on a Pi 3

upload_2018-12-1_10-24-29.png
Click to expand...

Your sensor is not being detected. Check wiring and make sure the sensor is wired correctly or not shorted.
 
As I am contemplating the build for my pump controller I had a thought that I wanted to add indicator LEDs. Does the pwm board that we are using have enough power to light up an indicator LED by just using the pwm and ground pins? I don't want to build anyting complicated if possible.
 
WWC
pickupman66 said:
As I am contemplating the build for my pump controller I had a thought that I wanted to add indicator LEDs. Does the pwm board that we are using have enough power to light up an indicator LED by just using the pwm and ground pins? I don't want to build anyting complicated if possible.
Click to expand...
It is recommended to not use more than 20ma from individual GPIO. There are few leds that draw less than 5ma, you can use those.
 
pickupman66 said:
As I am contemplating the build for my pump controller I had a thought that I wanted to add indicator LEDs. Does the pwm board that we are using have enough power to light up an indicator LED by just using the pwm and ground pins? I don't want to build anyting complicated if possible.
Click to expand...

The PCA chips are actually designed for direct LED control, so plenty.
 
Following this with great interest..need something to fill the time when i'm off work for 11 days over the holidays :)

quick question - i use a BuildMyLED and ReefBrite LED on my tank. Would ReefPi be able to control the dimming, etc on these? Otherwise, I just temp/pH monitoring (not control) and pump control (jebao rw4)...
 
dmolavi said:
Following this with great interest..need something to fill the time when i'm off work for 11 days over the holidays :)

quick question - i use a BuildMyLED and ReefBrite LED on my tank. Would ReefPi be able to control the dimming, etc on these? Otherwise, I just temp/pH monitoring (not control) and pump control (jebao rw4)...
Click to expand...
@Ryan115 has done something on this line, this was his original post: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...-on-raspberry-pi.289256/page-317#post-5170928
 
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