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

[Brad Cox]

Awesome. Let us know if you like it , or any other feedback

Yes i love the dashboard!

 

[Ranjib]

Do we have a recommended flow meter?

Nope. I have no clue how and what use case we’ll have. suggestions are welcome
I am wrapping up 2.0 features and pondering about the next set of things. Would like be to hear any good usecase ,

 

[Ranjib]

Got it!
Now for my tempature. It says failed to read temp error only one tempature device expected, found 0

It means temperature sensor is not detected . Check if ds18b20’is working / detected

 

[Ranjib]

It means temperature sensor is not detected . Check if ds18b20’is working / detected

Check the output of :

ls /sys/bus/w1/devices/

If you don’t see a folder with 28-xxxxxxxx type name , then ds18b20 is not detected . Cross check your circuit

 

[Brad Cox]

Check the output of :

ls /sys/bus/w1/devices/

If you don’t see a folder with 28-xxxxxxxx type name , then ds18b20 is not detected . Cross check your circuit

When i run that command i get w1_bus_master1

 

[Ranjib]

When i run that command i get w1_bus_master1

Yup , this means your ds18b20 sensor is not working. Check your circuit. Was it working earlier ? Any recent changes ?

 

[Brad Cox]

Yup , this means your ds18b20 sensor is not working. Check your circuit. Was it working earlier ? Any recent changes ?

Well it has worked in the past but im not sure how long ago thats been. But i havent changed anything

 

[U.P.Guy]

@U.P.Guy
Also when you stubble or before you make a mistake ask the Questions, Read online and study diagrams, adafruit is a Awesome place to start . They have straight forward info that you do not need to be a Electronics Engineer to understand.. Of course there are others as well.

Thanks @Erica-Renee,

This will be a slow build for me at first so I am taking my time to get it going. I am a graduate student so most of my time is spent on my field work and related question. But I always find time for my tank [emoji23] .

 

[Ranjib]

Thanks @Erica-Renee,

This will be a slow build for me at first so I am taking my time to get it going. I am a graduate student so most of my time is spent on my field work and related question. But I always find time for my tank [emoji23] .

Tank looks great. May be little small for the tangs.
Take as much time as you need for your build. I built reef-pi to be modular, extensible and affordable. It should grow with you

 

[wykat]

May be a completely different topic but it may help us all.

I've designed PCB's for reef-pi, but I'm struggling with 3 questions;
- How sensitive is the electronics to salt water (I like Ranjib's proposal to use connectors at the bottom)
- Can we use water proof connectors?
- How important is the size of the electronics which is mainly linked to the connectors. I can reduce a lot with smaller components and connectors, but does it matter?

 

[sjeff35]

May be a completely different topic but it may help us all.

I've designed PCB's for reef-pi, but I'm struggling with 3 questions;
- How sensitive is the electronics to salt water (I like Ranjib's proposal to use connectors at the bottom)
- Can we use water proof connectors?
- How important is the size of the electronics which is mainly linked to the connectors. I can reduce a lot with smaller components and connectors, but does it matter?

I can't answer any of these questions, but pleased hurry up so I can buy some!!!

 

[U.P.Guy]

Tank looks great. May be little small for the tangs.
Take as much time as you need for your build. I built reef-pi to be modular, extensible and affordable. It should grow with you

Yes, the tank is a bit small for adult tangs but as of now they are getting along and there are no torn fins. I have a good relationship with my local fish store, so the plan has always been to take them in when they get too large. I also have a 120 gal that's fresh water that I may end up turning to salt also, so if that happens they will make the move across the hall. [emoji2]

I do really appreciate how you structured reef pi. This is what attracted me to it as well as the DIY nature and of course the cost!

 

[i_declare_bankruptcy]

Wow! I'm interesting in writing my own software to read parameters via probes and display them on an external LCD + record time-series data. However I have no experience with the Raspberry Pi and I'm not sure where to start with the probes.

I was hoping to use probes with a BNC connector to make things plug-n-play... is there a BNC -> USB or similar interface that will allow me to do this:

Probe(s) -> BNC interface (for multiple probes) -> Rasperry Pi USB interface -> USB Software API

Nevermind... I assumed probes conformed to this BNC as a 'standard' but I was wrong.

 

[Des Westcott]

I've been trying to get this email alerts working and failing. I'm using a password manager "LastPass" and I think this is causing the problem.

I've enabled two step verification with Google. I get teh 16 digit password and copy / paste it into the password box and update. If I go to, say, the Dashboard and come back to check settings, the Password field is blank and there is the LastPass logo there. If I hover my mouse over the field, I get LastPass suggesting to insert me password for Reef-Pi login.

Anyone here use LastPass and know how to handle this?

Des

 

[Ranjib]

Wow! I'm interesting in writing my own software to read parameters via probes and display them on an external LCD + record time-series data. However I have no experience with the Raspberry Pi and I'm not sure where to start with the probes.

I was hoping to use probes with a BNC connector to make things plug-n-play... is there a BNC -> USB or similar interface that will allow me to do this:

Probe(s) -> BNC interface (for multiple probes) -> Rasperry Pi USB interface -> USB Software API

Nevermind... I assumed probes conformed to this BNC as a 'standard' but I was wrong.

Yup . It’s up to you. Some probes (like ph, orp, ec) mostly comes with BNC connector. Some (like temperature , water level ) comes mostly bare wire , you have to decide on a connector that has same or more pins . It’s also a good idea to check the expected current and voltage load with wire and connected spec. I have used hdmi, db9 for power controller (connects to relay ) , battle jacks for all thing dc power source , audio jacks (temperature, kessil ) . Sometime it’s the device that you are controlling will dictate the connector choice .

 

[Ranjib]

I've been trying to get this email alerts working and failing. I'm using a password manager "LastPass" and I think this is causing the problem.

I've enabled two step verification with Google. I get teh 16 digit password and copy / paste it into the password box and update. If I go to, say, the Dashboard and come back to check settings, the Password field is blank and there is the LastPass logo there. If I hover my mouse over the field, I get LastPass suggesting to insert me password for Reef-Pi login.

Anyone here use LastPass and know how to handle this?

Des

Nope. I would suggest check if you are using the right user name and password using api

 

[sjeff35]

I think I have all the parts for this, but I'm not sure where to start with the build. Is there a Frizing for this?

Thanks

Hate to quote my own post but...

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the doser???

Thanks

 

[Erica-Renee]

Hate to quote my own post but...

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the doser???

Thanks

Mine are wired to the Servo board .. I do not have a Diagram ..
But .. i can try to explain it..

They are wired to jacks on Servo board pin 0,1,2,3 to a uln2804 on pin 1,2,3,4 (could be 0,1.2.3) First 4 pins. Ground pins from the motor on the Corresponding pins on the other side of the chip (remember there is notch on the chip to determine start pins if you have the chip layed flat in front of your with notch away from your Pin one is on the lift ).. The Ground is also connected to the pi ,power supply ,and pin 9 of the uln (ground) . The power from the dosing pumps are Connected to there power supply and NOTHING ELSE..

SUMMERY
PI CONNECTED TO SERVO DRIVER BOARD.
4 PINS ON SERVO CONNECTED TO ULN2804 (IF YOU HAVE 4 PUMPS)
GROUND PINS OF THE PUMPS CONNECTED TO CORRESPONDING PINS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ULN CHIP.
ULN CHIP GROUND IS LAST PIN ON FIRST ROLL.. THIS CONNECTS TO PI, DOSING PUMPS, DOSING PUMPS POWER SUPPLY AND DOSING PUMPS.
Dosing pumps connect power to dosing pump power supply... NOTHING ELSE...

on the reef-pi assign Jacks to corresponding pins on the Servo board

Hope this helps.. its basically exactly like the Relay but putting the Servo Board between pi and device .....

 

[sjeff35]

Mine are wired to the Servo board .. I do not have a Diagram ..
But .. i can try to explain it..

They are wired to jacks on Servo board pin 0,1,2,3 to a uln2804 on pin 1,2,3,4 (could be 0,1.2.3) First 4 pins. Ground pins from the motor on the Corresponding pins on the other side of the chip (remember there is notch on the chip to determine start pins if you have the chip layed flat in front of your with notch away from your Pin one is on the lift ).. The Ground is also connected to the pi ,power supply ,and pin 9 of the uln (ground) . The power from the dosing pumps are Connected to there power supply and NOTHING ELSE..

SUMMERY
PI CONNECTED TO SERVO DRIVER BOARD.
4 PINS ON SERVO CONNECTED TO ULN2804 (IF YOU HAVE 4 PUMPS)
GROUND PINS OF THE PUMPS CONNECTED TO CORRESPONDING PINS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ULN CHIP.
ULN CHIP GROUND IS LAST PIN ON FIRST ROLL.. THIS CONNECTS TO PI, DOSING PUMPS, DOSING PUMPS POWER SUPPLY AND DOSING PUMPS.
Dosing pumps connect power to dosing pump power supply... NOTHING ELSE...

on the reef-pi assign Jacks to corresponding pins on the Servo board

Hope this helps.. its basically exactly like the Relay but putting the Servo Board between pi and device .....

Thanks for that hurts my poor head reading it

I'm a simple guy, I need pictures!!! ;Wacky

 

[Erica-Renee]

Thanks for that hurts my poor head reading it

I'm a simple guy, I need pictures!!! ;Wacky

Ahh .. hummm well..... I guess Reading Technical Drawings are not your thing.