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

[Eye H8 Empty V]

Hey guys is there any way to build RS-232 or 485 temp and ORP sensors? I see that’s it’s easy with the Ph probe. I’m thinking of building my own control system via Crestron.

Thanks!

 

[dmolavi]

Can you measure the voltage between the two outer legs on the pot? It would be constant.

You can use an analog output to feed into the connector for the center leg of the pot, referenced to the bottom/ground leg.

@theatrus .... finally getting around to this. Should I be going from the pico board to the pot to the input on the LED. Or should I simply go pico to LED, and if so, would the wiring be the same on the TRS connectors as for PWM control?

 

[Ryan115]

@Ranjib its a simple 2 wire float switch. 3 volt on one side, GPIO23 on the other side. Interval is 1 sec but tried others. I did not do the optic sensor.

Wire runs from 3v to the switch then from switch to the GPIO. setup as an inlet. when reverse is checked in config tab, its off. removing wire does nothing. when reverse is unchecked, pump runs regardless of wires.

Your current setup is missing some resistors. Essentially you have two options for this, solder some resistors in, or use a program to set the pi built in resistors.
If you go for the solder route, it should be something like this.
R1 is a current limiting resistor for the safety of the system
R2 is a pull down resistor to keep the pin from floating somewhere randomly between 0 & 3.3V

If you want to go with the built in resistors, @Bzar worked up the solution below.

So I took some time and figured out how to use regular float switches in a simple fashion using the built in pi resistors. This makes me happy because I don't have to have extra wiring and soldering tasks when adding a bunch of switches, and I don't have to pay for something I already bought. So to get regular float switches (or any switches for that matter) working safely you can do this...

Step A) create a python script to control the pull up resistance. From the terminal...

sudo nano switches.py

​

#switches.py​

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO​

​

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)​

​

GPIO.setup(21, GPIO.IN, pull_up_down=GPIO.PUD_UP)​

GPIO.setup(20, GPIO.IN, pull_up_down=GPIO.PUD_UP)​

GPIO.setup(16, GPIO.IN, pull_up_down=GPIO.PUD_UP)​

ctrl+X > Y > <enter>

Step B) make the file executable...

sudo chmod 755 switches.py

Step C) make the script run at startup by adding a line just before "exit" in rc.local (note: the python start command must point to the directory from root /...

sudo nano /etc/rc.local

​

sudo python /home/pi/switches.py &​

ctrl+X > Y > <enter>

Step D) Restart or Reboot

sudo reboot

Step E) Plug your float switch wires into the GPIO. One wire to Pi header connected Ground, and one to the GPIO you used in switches.py

Step F) Check to see if your script is running...

ps -aef | grep python

Step G) Designate those pins in Reef-Pi to inlets/ATO for your application.

Hope this helps, working for me here.

This site explains what is going on...https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/projects/raspberrypi/tutorials/robot/buttons_and_switches/

 

[pickupman66]

OK.strange how it has worked flawlessly (perceived) for me from day 1.

If I wish to use the Python script, am I to assume that the numbers presented in the script are the GPIO # that correspond to where he has the switches? if so, I only need a single at this point but good to know.

 

[Blaxkin]

Hello

First i would say sorry for my bad English. I hope all of you can understand me
I am new in this Forum and at the time i build my first reef pi.

I have a Question. It is in future possible to use the jacks as outputs ? Its easier to drive Mosfets for my ATO over the pca9685. Or is very usefull for other high current applications.

 

[Ranjib]

Hello

First i would say sorry for my bad English. I hope all of you can understand me
I am new in this Forum and at the time i build my first reef pi.

I have a Question. It is in future possible to use the jacks as outputs ? Its easier to drive Mosfets for my ATO over the pca9685. Or is very usefull for other high current applications.

Yes. With 3.0 (next release) this is possible.

 

[Ranjib]

Yes. With 3.0 (next release) this is possible.

Welcome to reef2reef . and dont worry about english, we understand you loud and clear . Would love to know about your build.

 

[Blaxkin]

Welcome to reef2reef . and dont worry about english, we understand you loud and clear . Would love to know about your build.

Thank you and thanks for the very good news that makes me very happy it would so easy to drive with mosfets :-D

and thanks for all your work with reef pi

 

[Blaxkin]

when my build is complete i would post it here

 

[Urtoo]

Payday comes around, I go to get the goby and the pwm module is on waitlist . I can wait longer... but I don’t wanna

 

[PaulJ2303]

Just pulled the trigger on one of @Michael Lane excellent all in one boards:

ML reef-pi hat goby by ML Reefkeeping on Tindie

ML reef-pi breakout hat for aquariums (goby)

www.tindie.com

looking forward to getting this bad boy up and running.

 

[Urtoo]

Me too Paul, ordered it last nigh. The pi zero is up and cooking but I believe I will grab another pi 3 b to run my tank.
I will be adding my #reefpi build to my tank page so as to have a place for reference of my own setup. I feel like a kid before Christmas.

 

[PaulJ2303]

Well done @Urtoo .. post a link to your build page I'll follow it with interest.

edit: its ok ive just spotted the big blue build thread button

 

[AbjectMaelstroM]

Anyone running 6 or more light channels on their reef pi?

 

[Urtoo]

Michael shows how to chain them using his converters in his build.

 

[AbjectMaelstroM]

Michael shows how to chain them using his converters in his build.

If that was a reply to me, I know how to wire them up, just wondering if anyone is running more than 5 channels. Sorry if I didn't clarify. Upto 5 channels everything runs fine. As soon as 6th channel is introduced, Leds flicker until a channel is powered off.

 

[Ranjib]

Well done @Urtoo .. post a link to your build page I'll follow it with interest.

edit: its ok ive just spotted the big blue build thread button

Please link it here when you do. We love to read through the build threads as it help us understand wha to improve, what’s working well etc

 

[Ranjib]

Anyone running 6 or more light channels on their reef pi?

None that I’m aware of.

 

[AbjectMaelstroM]

None that I’m aware of.

Is there any reason why PCA9685 wouldn't be able to do 5+ channels of pwm lights? Really trying to figure this out before I lose my mind.

 

[Ranjib]

Upgrading one of my older builds with reef-pi 3.0 based system. This housing was one of my favorite as it was a major upgrade form ply wood made box , and this thing was sturdy . I loved the clear cover

That said , now I recall how much work it was to mount those connectors . All the dremel works involved decent amount of elbow grease

and there were lots of mistakes made

Now, the new thing is like 1/2the size

it looks sleek too , I like the form factor. It was a dream to get down to exactly required volume .

not to mention the huge amount of time saved. With 0.8 mm nozzle and at 60mm speed, my ended 3 Printed this housing under two hours . It takes longer for me to solder the boards
One of the changes i made was to use smaller switch. Earlier due to larger housing the bigger buttons didn’t look odd. Now with these purpose designed 3D printed enclosures, those buttons are visibly taking large real estate . Hence the new switch

With this , u was able to keep the enclosure height at 28mm.