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

[Ranjib]

Examples of the cayenne app.

I am tempted to write an iOS app for reef pi
It’s not hard, but it will drain some time . Not sure if that’s worth, given so many things to do on reef-pi 2.0, also that will lead to a perpetual question of where’s android app.

 

[philshel]

I am tempted to write an iOS app for reef pi
It’s not hard, but it will drain some time . Not sure if that’s worth, given so many things to do on reef-pi 2.0, also that will lead to a perpetual question of where’s android app.

So where IS the Android app?

 

[Gareth elliott]

I am tempted to write an iOS app for reef pi
It’s not hard, but it will drain some time . Not sure if that’s worth, given so many things to do on reef-pi 2.0, also that will lead to a perpetual question of where’s android app.

I think functionality of the whole is more important than an app. But an app in the future might remove the need of Adafruit io. Turn on app to see tank stats. Use app notifications instead of email. Could solve the problems of too many emails with free account.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Ok found the issue with the ds18b20. The erroneous numbers are incomplete data. The ds18b20 transmits its data via binary code.

Last night i got a reading of 58.8776 or 00110101 00111000 00101110 00111000 00110111 00110111 00110110.
The actual value was.
78.8776 or 00110111 00111000 00101110 00111000 00110111 00110111 00110110

The raspberry pi is not reading all the information or is misreading the information before it sets a value.
Not sure if this helps you at all ranjib lol.

 

[Ranjib]

Ok found the issue with the ds18b20. The erroneous numbers are incomplete data. The ds18b20 transmits its data via binary code.

Last night i got a reading of 58.8776 or 00110101 00111000 00101110 00111000 00110111 00110111 00110110.
The actual value was.
78.8776 or 00110111 00111000 00101110 00111000 00110111 00110111 00110110

The raspberry pi is not reading all the information or is misreading the information before it sets a value.
Not sure if this helps you at all ranjib lol.

Was the crc check passing ?

 

[Ranjib]

Reef pi will check for crc value , if it fails reef-pi should ignore the value and report error instead .
https://github.com/reef-pi/reef-pi/blob/master/controller/temperature/sensor.go

Ds18b20 on Linux has many many other issues. But none of them are chronic. I am planning add lot more safeguards on the temperature controller code and docs around this. The length of the sensor wire and the exactly resistor value also has some subtle implications

 

[Gareth elliott]

Reef pi will check for crc value , if it fails reef-pi should ignore the value and report error instead .
https://github.com/reef-pi/reef-pi/blob/master/controller/temperature/sensor.go

Ds18b20 on Linux has many many other issues. But none of them are chronic. I am planning add lot more safeguards on the temperature controller code and docs around this. The length of the sensor wire and the exactly resistor value also has some subtle implications

It did not pass. Just happened to see what the actual error was.

 

[RikardJ]

Anybody have experience with sb reef lights and reef-pi? Is it possible to control start/stop and ramping on the basic model entirely from reef-pi?

 

[Gareth elliott]

Anybody have experience with sb reef lights and reef-pi? Is it possible to control start/stop and ramping on the basic model entirely from reef-pi?

Are you comfortable with soldering? You can type/tap sb reef lights into youtube or chinese black box led. Should get some videos of connecting them to an apex. This is going to be similar. And require the steps shown.

 

[RikardJ]

I’m fine with a bit of soldering, so I will have a look at YouTube

 

[Gareth elliott]

I’m fine with a bit of soldering, so I will have a look at YouTube

I dont have mine on reef-pi yet, still thinking of doing another step in between. Replacing my drivers and adding an led controller and using reef-pi to just control on/off if needed through outlets. So havent looked at if another step needs to be added in between the new dimmer wires and pi(like a voltage regulator or such). So those who have their lights on reef-pi can help better with those steps if needed ..

 

[Ranjib]

I’m fine with a bit of soldering, so I will have a look at YouTube

I have not tried it. But unless the vendor has done something specific to prohibit it, almost all LEDs is dimmable. The amount of modding required and builder's skill level is the only real risk I can think of. I have recently modded a cheap par bulb to be dimmable, sb reef light should not be harder than that.

My general instruction for modding any led will be
1) Trace the power source, and intercept the dc output
2) Choose appropriate transistor (likely an N-Channel logic level mosfet), to gate the power source going in LEDs
3) Hookup the transistor's base/gate pin to reef-pi/pca9685
4) Hook up appropriate heat sink in the mosfet, if need be

If you can share some pics (the wiring of sb reef led) and spec (power output., should be written in the adapter/wall wart), we might be able to suggest something specific

 

[RikardJ]

From the YouTube video it looks OK, but I won’t know for sure until I open the box myself. Something may have changed.

It also looks like I will need separate controls for on/off and for ramping, which is ok, although you need to pay attention to both(no point in ramping a light which is not turned on for example)

When I get to it, I will post a schematic before I do any wire cutting...

 

[Gareth elliott]

Ranjib i had an unusual experience with the ato feature where the signal was not going to the pi. There was a wire that disconnected from the sensor(will be changing how this is connected, more rj11’s lol) any chance there could be some kind of alarm feature in the future? Say no signal or pump not activated for x time a connected led flashes or activates a buzzer? I noticed because my sump is not in a cabinet but i might not have noticed as quickly if it was.

 

[Sam Rowe]

Evening.

First off Merry Christmas to those who celebrate.

I have got a bit of an odd problem with the reef pi and not sure if anyone else has had the same issue?
With the lighting control it works fine throughout the day by phasing the brightness and colour, the problem I have is that late into the evening when the light is going from its last auto phase to off (I have it set to 5 as 0 for some reason turns the light on full?) it starts when the light goes to 10 on brightness with the colour also on 10 and the light starts flashing, not sure if its because I've only got one kessil or that it may need the LPF as the PWM could be causing the problem. Will have a look at putting together the LPF to see if it cures it.
I haven't looked too much into it just yet as its late and will be going bed shortly but just thought I would quickly pop up a post.
I would have the power supply to the transistors go through one of the SSRs but it either doesn't turn on when activated or doesn't turn off when meant to but that's most likely that the SSRs want AC through them.

 

[Kampo]

Kessils can't down to 0 once it gets to low the driver starts flaking out.

 

[Ryan115]

Anybody have experience with sb reef lights and reef-pi? Is it possible to control start/stop and ramping on the basic model entirely from reef-pi?

I have a 32" basic that I am "in progress" of connecting to reef-pi. I have a custom circuit put together, but first connection didnt work and I have not had time to troubleshoot my circuit (power supplies I was using were having issues as well).
My time has shifted to making a cabinet for my ATO reservoir to sit in.

Which version of SB do you have?
The circuit I have worked up, should be plug and play without needing to cut anything.
Here is the circuit. Ranjib or others please let me know if I missed something on it.

 

[Ranjib]

Evening.

First off Merry Christmas to those who celebrate.

I have got a bit of an odd problem with the reef pi and not sure if anyone else has had the same issue?
With the lighting control it works fine throughout the day by phasing the brightness and colour, the problem I have is that late into the evening when the light is going from its last auto phase to off (I have it set to 5 as 0 for some reason turns the light on full?) it starts when the light goes to 10 on brightness with the colour also on 10 and the light starts flashing, not sure if its because I've only got one kessil or that it may need the LPF as the PWM could be causing the problem. Will have a look at putting together the LPF to see if it cures it.
I haven't looked too much into it just yet as its late and will be going bed shortly but just thought I would quickly pop up a post.
I would have the power supply to the transistors go through one of the SSRs but it either doesn't turn on when activated or doesn't turn off when meant to but that's most likely that the SSRs want AC through them.

I know exactly what you are talking about. Did you set a minimum threshold for the channel that controls kessil intensity ? If not set it up. Unfortunately the ui does not have support for that in 1.0, and you have to use the api. Here is doc and example : https://reef-pi.github.io/additional-documentation/api/
Use the get light api to obtain light settings in and save it in a Json file, and then edit the minimum threshold for the intensity channel to 14 and the update the light settings using Update light api
If this all sound hard, than wait for few hours, I have these two things fixed in code already (I.e ui support for minimum threshold ) and I’ll cut a 1.1 release tonight , you can use that

 

[Ranjib]

Evening.

First off Merry Christmas to those who celebrate.

I have got a bit of an odd problem with the reef pi and not sure if anyone else has had the same issue?
With the lighting control it works fine throughout the day by phasing the brightness and colour, the problem I have is that late into the evening when the light is going from its last auto phase to off (I have it set to 5 as 0 for some reason turns the light on full?) it starts when the light goes to 10 on brightness with the colour also on 10 and the light starts flashing, not sure if its because I've only got one kessil or that it may need the LPF as the PWM could be causing the problem. Will have a look at putting together the LPF to see if it cures it.
I haven't looked too much into it just yet as its late and will be going bed shortly but just thought I would quickly pop up a post.
I would have the power supply to the transistors go through one of the SSRs but it either doesn't turn on when activated or doesn't turn off when meant to but that's most likely that the SSRs want AC through them.

What power adapter you are using to power pi and rest of the circuit?

 

[Ranjib]

I have a 32" basic that I am "in progress" of connecting to reef-pi. I have a custom circuit put together, but first connection didnt work and I have not had time to troubleshoot my circuit (power supplies I was using were having issues as well).
My time has shifted to making a cabinet for my ATO reservoir to sit in.

Which version of SB do you have?
The circuit I have worked up, should be plug and play without needing to cut anything.
Here is the circuit. Ranjib or others please let me know if I missed something on it.

Looks ok to me.
You fritzing skills are lot better than me, you should refactor all the official schematics . I did a very poor job on those.