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

ScottBrew · Oct 27, 2018

LionHeart2017 said:
That's looking epic, that's a big psu, can I ask more about the lighting your using and what control you'll have over them

Thanks! The power supply is a 24 volt 350 watt unit to run 3 reef brite 48" led strips. Until I get a pwm board I'm just switching the lights on and off with the 4 channel relay board. Each light draws about 50 watts so plenty of overhead, enough to run the Current USA 6010 I just got if I decide. Need to figure out how to control it with the reef-pi without buying the loop controller.

b4tn · Oct 27, 2018

Awesome, I will upgrade tonight and check it out. Do I just remove the old version and delete the database or will running the installer of the new version update it. I’m not super Linux savy. Just know enough to get in trouble lol

Ranjib · Oct 27, 2018

b4tn said:
Awesome, I will upgrade tonight and check it out. Do I just remove the old version and delete the database or will running the installer of the new version update it. I’m not super Linux savy. Just know enough to get in trouble lol

You don't need to delete database or stop/uninstall the existing reef-pi, if you are running 2.x beta/rc series, it''s just

Code:

sudo dpkg -i reef-pi-2.0.0-rc2-pi3.deb

database resetting or removing older reef-pi is only required if you are upgrading from 1.x series or something bad has happened (like something is not working)

Ranjib · Oct 27, 2018

ScottBrew said:
Thanks! The power supply is a 24 volt 350 watt unit to run 3 reef brite 48" led strips. Until I get a pwm board I'm just switching the lights on and off with the 4 channel relay board. Each light draws about 50 watts so plenty of overhead, enough to run the Current USA 6010 I just got if I decide. Need to figure out how to control it with the reef-pi without buying the loop controller.

How you plan to dim them? meanwell drivers? Apologies in advance if you have already answered this,

LionHeart2017 · Oct 27, 2018

Postman delivered some goodies today[emoji2] parts are building up

Ranjib · Oct 27, 2018

LionHeart2017 said:
Postman delivered some goodies today[emoji2] parts are building up

Very nice. I see you have to Raspberry Pi, a zero and a pi 3 . Is it for backup ?

LionHeart2017 · Oct 27, 2018

Ranjib said:
Very nice. I see you have to Raspberry Pi, a zero and a pi 3 . Is it for backup ?

Was just going with the zero at first but I changed my lights from AI Prime hd to mars aqua 165w and going to use the zero with 8 channel relay for turning on and off the 4 light panels, and then the pi3 for reef-pi[emoji2]

ScottBrew · Oct 27, 2018

Ranjib said:
How you pan to dim them? meanwell drivers? Apologies in advance if you have already answered this,

That I haven't figured out yet, so far I've just been figuring out how to assemble the reef-pi modules I have built so far. The lights don't have a control circuit, just a 24vdc input, will need to adjust the 24 volts to dim them. Again, not sure how to do that, so any input is appreciated! The 24vdc power supply and reef-pi will eliminate the 3 power bricks and timers that I'm currently using.

ScottBrew · Oct 27, 2018

Ranjib said:
I love looking at these wooden enclosures :-0)

Thank you! Wasn't sure how I was going to enclose the system when I started, the big power supply kind of dictated the size box I needed and it didn't fit in any normal size project box that wasn't too thick to fit where I want to mount it. All the line voltage components (120vac) are on the back of the plate leaving lots of room for any future expansion on the front above the pi.

Ranjib · Oct 28, 2018

ScottBrew said:
That I haven't figured out yet, so far I've just been figuring out how to assemble the reef-pi modules I have built so far. The lights don't have a control circuit, just a 24vdc input, will need to adjust the 24 volts to dim them. Again, not sure how to do that, so any input is appreciated! The 24vdc power supply and reef-pi will eliminate the 3 power bricks and timers that I'm currently using.

Meanwell drivers will definitely work, probably the power mosfets as well (dirt cheap). Do you know the amperage?

ScottBrew · Oct 28, 2018

Ranjib said:
Meanwell drivers will definitely work, probably the power mosfets as well (dirt cheap). Do you know the amperage?

I measured 52 watts, so 2 amps at 24vdc. Do you have any links to the Meanwell drivers or the power mosfets you are referencing? There are numerous choices.

Ranjib · Oct 28, 2018

Just finished water change. Since dialing in the doser, My sps growth is now decent . Some of the sticks are now showing different colors after a phase of initial growth. Fascinating

Softies,

Ranjib · Oct 28, 2018

I am happy that I am able to finally grow sps with confidence in a nano tank. I really hope reef-pi will allow me to grow them in pico setup with confidence and reproducibility. That will be a really nice milestone to achieve

Diamond1 · Oct 28, 2018

Ranjib said:
Just finished water change. Since dialing in the doser, My sps growth is now decent . Some of the sticks are now showing different colors after a phase of initial growth. Fascinating

Softies,

Those corals look great!! Nice colors too.

Ranjib · Oct 28, 2018

ScottBrew said:
I measured 52 watts, so 2 amps at 24vdc. Do you have any links to the Meanwell drivers or the power mosfets you are referencing? There are numerous choices.

I have seen folks use the LDD-H or LDD-L series. They are the most popular ones for DIY LEDs. Generally one per strip. https://www.ledsupply.com/blog/meanwell-power-supply-guide/ , . RapidLed has some information on them as well.
I was referring to this type of MOSFETs: https://www.adafruit.com/product/355 . I have used them for 12W lights, without a heatsink. I think it will work, but not sure, you have to double check.

Ranjib · Oct 28, 2018

There are some other DIY info on reefbrite:
https://www.nano-reef.com/forums/topic/245623-modding-reefbrite-led-strips/
and
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-reefbrite-xho-apex-interface.304475/

Des Westcott · Oct 28, 2018

Ranjib said:
Can you access the pi using ssh ? try hard refreshing your browser

Thanks Ranjib.

OK. I can SSH into the Reef-Pi no problem, so the problem must be browser based. Lett me see what I can do to fix that.

I'm assuming delete all cached data?

Ranjib · Oct 28, 2018

Des Westcott said:
Thanks Ranjib.

OK. I can SSH into the Reef-Pi no problem, so the problem must be browser based. Lett me see what I can do to fix that.

I'm assuming delete all cached data?

Yes. reef-pi is running right?

Code:

sudo systemctl status reef-pi.service

Des Westcott · Oct 28, 2018

Ranjib said:
Yes. reef-pi is running right?

Code:

sudo systemctl status reef-pi.service

Yes. I ran that script to check Reef-Pi is running and it is.

I reset Chrome via the Advanced Settings > Reset and Cleanup > Restore settings to their original defaults. Restart PC and check again and no change.

I tried opening the IP address in Edge, but nothing. Going to download Firefox now and see if anything is different

Ranjib · Oct 28, 2018

Des Westcott said:
Yes. I ran that script to check Reef-Pi is running and it is.

I reset Chrome via the Advanced Settings > Reset and Cleanup > Restore settings to their original defaults. Restart PC and check again and no change.

I tried opening the IP address in Edge, but nothing. Going to download

Are you using the right port? Did you enabled https ?