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

[Ranjib]

Hello guys, I don't have any background in electronics so I hope you can help me out. I found this https://circuit.rocks/relay-module-10a-16-channels.html?search=16 channel relay&description=true and was wondering if it will work with reef pi? They don't sell the DJ8 strip here where I live.

should work just fine. I'd recommend using uln2803 in between pi GPIO and relay input pins, to keep the current draw from GPIO at minimal.

 

[Ranjib]

Thanks @speedstar. Would i still need the LM2596 converter? The 8 channel and 16 channels just differ in price by 10% from where I'm buying.

As @speedstar mentioned, you dont need lm2596 modules, they are required only to convert 12V to 5v for Pi. If your build is exclusively using 5V, then you dont need those (lm2596)

 

[Joseph Lim]

Thanks alot @Ranjib. Your quick and clear responses is what made me decide to try this out.

 

[LionHeart2017]

Is there a good ac to dc 5v supply available that will power all of the 5v devices, like the pi and relays and anything else that needs 5v, like a standalone psu for multiple 5v devices?

 

[Ranjib]

Thanks alot @Ranjib. Your quick and clear responses is what made me decide to try this out.

You are most welcome

 

[Ranjib]

Is there a good ac to dc 5v supply available that will power all of the 5v devices, like the pi and relays and anything else that needs 5v, like a standalone psu for multiple 5v devices?

For 5v only builds , I prefer to go with 5v 3 a wall warts with barrel jack, and use them to create a 5v rail inside the housing (generally a perma proto hat) and then connect everything to that rail. Make sure you get an UL listed switching adapter

 

[Joseph Lim]

Ok...another noob question. Will the RPi handle my plan to use 16 channel relay? Or i need additional hardware to make it work? I also plan to use 6-8 dosing pumps, ato, 3 temps monitors as i learn more...

 

[speedstar]

Ok...another noob question. Will the RPi handle my plan to use 16 channel relay? Or i need additional hardware to make it work? I also plan to use 6-8 dosing pumps, ato, 3 temps monitors as i learn more...

This page talks about the I/O lines and such. Think there are 28 GPIO pins https://reef-pi.github.io/build-guides/power/

 

[Joseph Lim]

Thanks again @speedstar

 

[speedstar]

Is there any provisions to use current sensors to set alarm notifications. Thinking I would like to know if my return pump failed ie pulling high or no amps or if the lights failed. Seems like it could be done using these. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11005

 

[MaccaPopEye]

Is there any provisions to use current sensors to set alarm notifications. Thinking I would like to know if my return pump failed ie pulling high or no amps or if the lights failed. Seems like it could be done using these. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11005

That is a great idea, I didn't know those existed! If those could work with Reef-Pi it would be a fantastic addition. Probably something that would be good to look at after an the I2C GPIO extender is added.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Thinking about using a micro USB port on my enclosure to make things a bit cleaner with the build. What are your collective thoughts on using a product like this

https://www.adafruit.com/product/3258

https://www.dx.com/p/micro-usb-male-to-female-extension-data-cable-black-20cm-123738

 

[Ranjib]

Is there any provisions to use current sensors to set alarm notifications. Thinking I would like to know if my return pump failed ie pulling high or no amps or if the lights failed. Seems like it could be done using these. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11005

Not yet. This is something I want to support in reef-pi, but time/priority has not aligned yet. May be 3.0 ..

 

[pickupman66]

https://reef-pi.github.io/additional-documentation/troubleshooting/

Oct 15 10:16:31 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:16:31 ERROR: Failed to submit data to adafruit.io. User: Pickupman66 Feed: sump temp-reading Error: {"error":"not found - that is an invalid URL, please check the API documentation at https://io.adafruit.com/api/docs to make sure your URL is correct"}
Oct 15 10:16:31 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:16:31 ERROR: Failed to submit data to adafruit.io. User: Pickupman66 Feed: room temp-reading Error: {"error":"not found - that is an invalid URL, please check the API documentation at https://io.adafruit.com/api/docs to make sure your URL is correct"}
Oct 15 10:17:01 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:17:01 temperature sub-system: sensor Tank Temp value: 77.225
Oct 15 10:17:01 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:17:01 ERROR: Failed to submit data to adafruit.io. User: Pickupman66 Feed: tank temp-reading Error: {"error":"not found - that is an invalid URL, please check the API documentation at https://io.adafruit.com/api/docs to make sure your URL is correct"}
Oct 15 10:17:01 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:17:01 temperature subsystem: Current temperature is within range switching off heater/cooler
Oct 15 10:17:01 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:17:01 Setting GPIO Pin: 6 State: 0
Oct 15 10:17:01 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:17:01 ERROR: Failed to submit data to adafruit.io. User: Pickupman66 Feed: tank temp-cooler Error: {"error":"not found - that is an invalid URL, please check the API documentation at https://io.adafruit.com/api/docs to make sure your URL is correct"}
Oct 15 10:17:02 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:17:02 ERROR: Failed to submit data to adafruit.io. User: Pickupman66 Feed: tank temp-heater Error: {"error":"not found - that is an invalid URL, please check the API documentation at https://io.adafruit.com/api/docs to make sure your URL is correct"}

 

[Ranjib]

Thinking about using a micro USB port on my enclosure to make things a bit cleaner with the build. What are your collective thoughts on using a product like this

https://www.adafruit.com/product/3258

https://www.dx.com/p/micro-usb-male-to-female-extension-data-cable-black-20cm-123738

You have only 5v requirement? I have used micro usb in one of the early build, and never for any other build. I found them lot less useful compared to straight barrel jacks.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

You have only 5v requirement? I have used micro usb in one of the early build, and never for any other build. I found them lot less useful compared to straight barrel jacks.

This is for the raspberry pi itself, or is the 12v input being used to supply power to the entire box?

 

[Ranjib]

Oct 15 10:16:31 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:16:31 ERROR: Failed to submit data to adafruit.io. User: Pickupman66 Feed: sump temp-reading Error: {"error":"not found - that is an invalid URL, please check the API documentation at https://io.adafruit.com/api/docs to make sure your URL is correct"}
Oct 15 10:16:31 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:16:31 ERROR: Failed to submit data to adafruit.io. User: Pickupman66 Feed: room temp-reading Error: {"error":"not found - that is an invalid URL, please check the API documentation at https://io.adafruit.com/api/docs to make sure your URL is correct"}
Oct 15 10:17:01 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:17:01 temperature sub-system: sensor Tank Temp value: 77.225
Oct 15 10:17:01 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:17:01 ERROR: Failed to submit data to adafruit.io. User: Pickupman66 Feed: tank temp-reading Error: {"error":"not found - that is an invalid URL, please check the API documentation at https://io.adafruit.com/api/docs to make sure your URL is correct"}
Oct 15 10:17:01 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:17:01 temperature subsystem: Current temperature is within range switching off heater/cooler
Oct 15 10:17:01 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:17:01 Setting GPIO Pin: 6 State: 0
Oct 15 10:17:01 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:17:01 ERROR: Failed to submit data to adafruit.io. User: Pickupman66 Feed: tank temp-cooler Error: {"error":"not found - that is an invalid URL, please check the API documentation at https://io.adafruit.com/api/docs to make sure your URL is correct"}
Oct 15 10:17:02 raspberrypi reef-pi[6376]: 2018/10/15 10:17:02 ERROR: Failed to submit data to adafruit.io. User: Pickupman66 Feed: tank temp-heater Error: {"error":"not found - that is an invalid URL, please check the API documentation at https://io.adafruit.com/api/docs to make sure your URL is correct"}

Can you reload reef-pi ?. There was a bug in rc-0 that when you rename a temperature sensor it wont recreate the feed. I have fixed it in rc-1. In older rc0 you have to reload/restart reef-pi to resolve this

 

[Ranjib]

This is for the raspberry pi itself, or is the 12v input being used to supply power to the entire box?

Yup, 12v for the whole box (hence lm2596 to convery 12V -> 5V for Pi)

 

[Ranjib]

That is a great idea, I didn't know those existed! If those could work with Reef-Pi it would be a fantastic addition. Probably something that would be good to look at after an the I2C GPIO extender is added.

I think the current sensor is analog input based.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Yup, 12v for the whole box (hence lm2596 to convery 12V -> 5V for Pi)

I thought the power for the control of the power strip was why we added the buck converter. Interesting. Good thing I didn't power anything on yet