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

[GaryE]

So I purchased this when I bought my Pi and was wondering if there is a way to use it to control dosing motors through the reef-pi.
I found where someone said it is the same thing as a PCA9685 board. but I can't figure out how to configure it within the reef-pi configuration. Any help or input would be appreciated, even if its that I can't use this board for dosing. Was just trying to make use of it.

Thanks

Unless it's got a pca8685 chip on it, it won't work. Besides, from the comments on it:

"Also, 5v on the Pi is shorted to 5v for the servos. Thus any voltage spikes are likely going to kill your Pi, though you might be safe with micro servos."

I wouldn't use it.

 

[Urtoo]

I can get the Kasa 300 to give power consumption and display it on my ReefPi?
Must learn!

 

[Ranjib]

I can get the Kasa 300 to give power consumption and display it on my ReefPi?
Must learn!

Yes and also use it to control equipment or alert , by treating it as a ph sensor . Hs300 driver exposes 6 outlets and 6 analog sensors, the analog sensors provide current monitoring values

 

[Ranjib]

So I purchased this when I bought my Pi and was wondering if there is a way to use it to control dosing motors through the reef-pi.
I found where someone said it is the same thing as a PCA9685 board. but I can't figure out how to configure it within the reef-pi configuration. Any help or input would be appreciated, even if its that I can't use this board for dosing. Was just trying to make use of it.

Thanks

I’m not sure reef-pi will work with it. I have never tested this,

 

[Des Westcott]

I've been using these relays for about 6 months now and have had a total of 5 die on me. Three in the last 48 hours.

Any suggestions on a better way?

 

[zab34]

currently using a Michael lane hat powering a ADB relay strip. I have had this working in the past but ran into a hiccup that had me starting from scratch.


The voltage step up from 5-12 is acting a little strange. When hooked up it is delivery 12v no problem, once a switch is turned on to relays and it is under load the voltage drops and the relay is not triggered.

is this an issue with the voltage step up board? Should I adjust the voltage on the step up device?
My issue with adjust the voltage is it is reading a consistent 12v when not under a load.

 

[USCGReefer]

Looking through the guides getting ready to place my parts order and noticed in the reef-pi guides the PH monitor and doser are individual units from everything else. I am building my Reef-pi on a raspberry pi 4. Is it possible to build everything on one unit or do they have to be broken off from everything? If it can be done, would it be possible to get help with the parts list for the PH Monitor and Doser and whats needed/not needed compared to the guides?

 

[Ranjib]

I've been using these relays for about 6 months now and have had a total of 5 die on me. Three in the last 48 hours.

Any suggestions on a better way?

Sad to hear that. By any chance did you test if the power is going till the relay ? I.e the relays are broken and everything including pi till the relay board is working correctly ?

 

[Ranjib]

Looking through the guides getting ready to place my parts order and noticed in the reef-pi guides the PH monitor and doser are individual units from everything else. I am building my Reef-pi on a raspberry pi 4. Is it possible to build everything on one unit or do they have to be broken off from everything? If it can be done, would it be possible to get help with the parts list for the PH Monitor and Doser and whats needed/not needed compared to the guides?

Yes . You can combine the ph circuit with l293d/ doser circuit in a single unit

 

[Des Westcott]

Sad to hear that. By any chance did you test if the power is going till the relay ? I.e the relays are broken and everything including pi till the relay board is working correctly ?

Thanks Ranjib.

Yes. Did the voltage test with multimeter. Got power on the common pin on the relay, but they aren't switching.

 

[Ranjib]

Thanks Ranjib.

Yes. Did the voltage test with multimeter. Got power on the common pin on the relay, but they aren't switching.

so it is confirmed that the songle relay's itself are not working, rest all circuit (pi and relay module [passives]) are fine. I have not much to advice, other than sticking to sainsmart like reputed vendor. Although, they all use songle relays.

 

[Litserv]

Again:

Hi Ranjib,

thanks for reef-pi!

I'm in the process of implementig reef-pi for my - sorry - freshwater fish-tank.

I cannot get to work the pi-camera with reef-pi.

I setup a 'fresh' raspbian on a Rapsberry Pi 4B.
I configured reef-pi to use the camera. I rebooted the raspberry.
The pi-camera is working when I test it in a terminal window with: 'raspistill -o bild.jpg'

I can read temperature. I can switch relais. I can dimm an LED. But the camera isn't working...

What could be wrong with my setup? Do you have an idea?

Thanks, Litserv

Any chance to get help???

 

[T-MIKE]

@Ranjib

It seems difficult to find assembled boards for reef-pi. What essential functions do you think a board would need that will be good enough for most people? I'm thinking about designing one and trying to maintain stock of it so that it is more available. Thanks.

 

[zab34]

currently using a Michael lane hat powering a ADB relay strip. I have had this working in the past but ran into a hiccup that had me starting from scratch.


The voltage step up from 5-12 is acting a little strange. When hooked up it is delivery 12v no problem, once a switch is turned on to relays and it is under load the voltage drops and the relay is not triggered.

is this an issue with the voltage step up board? Should I adjust the voltage on the step up device?
My issue with adjust the voltage is it is reading a consistent 12v when not under a load.

@Ranjib

 

[GaryE]

@Ranjib

It seems difficult to find assembled boards for reef-pi. What essential functions do you think a board would need that will be good enough for most people? I'm thinking about designing one and trying to maintain stock of it so that it is more available. Thanks.

I am awaiting delivery of my first 5 boards... Back a few pages you can see the post.

I threw everything at it.

 

[Urtoo]

Happen to have an example config?

yes. it exposes those reading as analog sensor, you have to model them through ph module for alerting and equipment control based on those values

 

[T-MIKE]

I am awaiting delivery of my first 5 boards... Back a few pages you can see the post.

I threw everything at it.

I see it now. Can I get a board? How much will it be?

If you can make it available long term and easy to obtain that would be great.

I would still like to know which functions would satisfy 90% of the users though.

@Ranjib, perhaps you can make a poll? I don’t think I have that privilege yet.

 

[Pensive Pufferfish]

Not to derail the conversation, but I just spent what felt like two weeks troubleshooting my power controller and finally figured out the transistor was the issue. Got a new one and its running great and I had to share my success.

@Ranjib thanks for doing this project and to everyone else too. Such a cool way to combine two of my favorite hobbies

 

[Urtoo]

Right? This is one my favorite threads on the web. Pushes me into hardware micro further than other projects. Thanks @Ranjib and @Michael Lane

 

[GaryE]

I see it now. Can I get a board? How much will it be?

If you can make it available long term and easy to obtain that would be great.

I would still like to know which functions would satisfy 90% of the users though.

@Ranjib, perhaps you can make a poll? I don’t think I have that privilege yet.

I need to test them first before I release them to the public...

I'm also working on revision. Not quite done with it. But very close.