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

[Ranjib]

Awesome thread, just what I was looking for! I'm a complete newbie with raspberry pi and programming , had one like 3 days now with intentions of building a reef controller

Godspeed. Let us know if you need any help

 

[Tofty85]

Th

Godspeed. Let us know if you need any help

Thanks I will no doubt need help on this, quick question, does the reef pi work with wi-fi relay switches like the Sonoff 4ch pro if i flashed it with ESPEasy or other firmware?

 

[Brad Cox]

From our experience, 10v pwm almost always work where 0-10 v analog is expected. Last time we checked one of the commercial controller using oscillioscope it was generating 10v pwm and then passed it through a LPF.
That said, it should be possible to generate o-10v analog signal as well using a DAC, its just I didnt encounter the need for it. If someone hits this roadblock, we can revisit

Whats the best way to get this? I need this for the marsaqua.

 

[Ranjib]

Th

Thanks I will no doubt need help on this, quick question, does the reef pi work with wi-fi relay switches like the Sonoff 4ch pro if i flashed it with ESPEasy or other firmware?

No. reef-pi uses mechanical or solid state relays directly to control electrical outlets. You have to get the relay and electrical receptacles and wire them up... Example can be found here : https://reef-pi.github.io/build-guides/power/

 

[Ranjib]

Whats the best way to get this? I need this for the marsaqua.

Get which one ? If you are going for 10 v pwm , get pca9685 breakout board from adafruit (reef pi already has code ready and tested for this ). If you are going for 0-10 v analog, get mcp4725 DAC board, we have to write the code for this , should be easy. You need couple a 10k, 1k resistor and an non diode (pn2222a) for each channel. I think your lighthas two channel , so two of each

 

[Brad Cox]

Get which one ? If you are going for 10 v pwm , get pca9685 breakout board from adafruit (reef pi already has code ready and tested for this ). If you are going for 0-10 v analog, get mcp4725 DAC board, we have to write the code for this , should be easy. You need couple a 10k, 1k resistor and an non diode (pn2222a) for each channel. I think your lighthas two channel , so two of each

Im not sure yet if its 0-10v analog or not. The lights are setup to run on the bluefish controller. Its 0-10v.
So i have three lights. Will that require 6 channels?

 

[Ranjib]

Im not sure yet if its 0-10v analog or not. The lights are setup to run on the bluefish controller. Its 0-10v.
So i have three lights. Will that require 6 channels?

If you want to control them independently, you need 6 of each, if you want to daisy chain (and if its possible) only 2

 

[Brad Cox]

If you want to control them independently, you need 6 of each, if you want to daisy chain (and if its possible) only 2

Awesome! I ordered the stuff for it.

I want to control the lights all together. So 2 channels will be ok.

Is there a drawing for me to go by?

 

[Ranjib]

Awesome! I ordered the stuff for it.

I want to control the lights all together. So 2 channels will be ok.

Is there a drawing for me to go by?

Raspberry pi to pca9685 can be found here: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-16-channel-servo-driver-with-raspberry-pi?view=all
This will give you upto 16 channel 5 v pwm.
Circuit for converting individual 5 v pwm to 10v pwm can be found here: http://birota.azurewebsites.net/0-5v-to-0-10v-pwm-converter-for-arduino/
more precisely this diagram:http://birota.azurewebsites.net/content/images/2015/03/im5-1.png
read about it, see if you understand the process, I was hoping to write a build guide for kessil controller (which use these parts), but I am tied with the on-going automated tests, refactoring.. which aims to give us much better platform to build all other code/features, intended for the 1.0 release .
happy to answer any question you may have

 

[Brad Cox]

so they show a voltage regulator and a different transistor in that diagram. does that matter? I ordered the pn2222a ones.

 

[Ranjib]

so they show a voltage regulator and a different transistor in that diagram. does that matter? I ordered the pn2222a ones.

Nah.. for all practical purpose, a 10v linear regulator is not a must have. I have personally tested with straight 12 v pwm, and reef-pi allows you to set a minimum and maximum threshold. This helps in avoiding higher (in case you dont have a regulator) or lower voltage (Kessil would blink in voltages lower than 3). Albeit throwing a linear regulator will make it better..

 

[Ranjib]

so they show a voltage regulator and a different transistor in that diagram. does that matter? I ordered the pn2222a ones.

most npn transistor would work including pn2222a , 3904s etc..

 

[Cary]

so they show a voltage regulator and a different transistor in that diagram. does that matter? I ordered the pn2222a ones.

Brad will you please write down steps? I will be doing this shortly.

 

[Brad Cox]

Brad will you please write down steps? I will be doing this shortly.

lll try lol

Imma try and print out a 3d box to put everything in so its in one package. My lights came today but the rest of the parts wont be here until tomorrow. Then ill have more questions.

 

[Cary]

Good for you. My pi, ps, and jumpers came in today but I am waiting on my usb to ttl cable before i can load anything.

 

[Brad Cox]

Good for you. My pi, ps, and jumpers came in today but I am waiting on my usb to ttl cable before i can load anything.

You have the pi3? Why you need the usb cable?

 

[Cary]

You have the pi3? Why you need the usb cable?

Yes, pi3. I thought I needed it. To connect to my computer so I could start the initiation process of the pi and load reef-pi

 

[Brad Cox]

Yes, pi3. I thought I needed it. To connect to my computer so I could start the initiation process of the pi and load reef-pi

Na you got a sd card right?
I used raspbain? And installed that to my sd card. I connected the pi to my tv and setup reefpi online.

 

[Cary]

I see. I have to use my computer...no tv in the office. Multiple ways to do the same thing

 

[Ranjib]

I see. I have to use my computer...no tv in the office. Multiple ways to do the same thing

Monitor does not have an hdmi input ?