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

[Ranjib]

Could one use an old Samsung tablet screen ,for a touch screen ?

yes

 

[Bigtrout]

A little humor I ran across today for those of you guys that are doing FW pi's lol

Hey now....lol

 

[Bigtrout]

thanks for the replies fella's
It's such an interesting subject area and i'm learning a lot. i'm probably going to go with the buck converter because it wont generate as much heat in my enclosed box.
I'll be driving it with an old 12v 1.5A laptop power supply, i'm hoping i wont have to worry about output voltage fluctuations when using that.

one more thing before i sidle off .. in our stores we've got boxes of single industrial mechanical relays but i'm thinking for simplicity's sake and to avoid any back EMF spikes i should go with cheap and cheerful opto-isolated 8 bank relays off of amazon
choices choices lol

Depends on the relays...for what most need the 8 channel jobs are just fine...if u can get ahold of some nice mini industrial relays however

 

[crowndroyal]

My next question, for the controller UI.

Is there more icons available for the UI ? Can we make our own or is there a selection we can choose from ?

 

[Ranjib]

My next question, for the controller UI.

Is there more icons available for the UI ? Can we make our own or is there a selection we can choose from ?

Im not sure what you mean, reef-pi is just a website, that you visit from you tablet's browser. Its not an app that you will install in the tablet. You can bookmark the controller url for ease of access and I know linux desktops allows creating desktop shortcuts for urls with customizable icons. So you can get similar user experience.

 

[crowndroyal]

Im not sure what you mean, reef-pi is just a website, that you visit from you tablet's browser. Its not an app that you will install in the tablet. You can bookmark the controller url for ease of access and I know linux desktops allows creating desktop shortcuts for urls with customization icons. So you can get similar user experience.

there is no "User interface" ? ( like reefbot )
There is no icons that one sees on the actual screen on the controller to make changes or have a visual of whats going on ?

there is no app available to see whats going on while away or to control away from home ?

 

[ChrisNH]

Can you be more specific on the differences you are noticing ?the schematics are similar but not exact due to just physical convenience (like closer /proximity for builds) or ease of drawing /illustration (for schematics)

I am comparing this image: https://learn.adafruit.com/assets/60855
To this image: https://learn.adafruit.com/assets/61329

and specifically how the power connector and buck converter are wired in.

 

[Bigtrout]

there is no "User interface" ? ( like reefbot )
There is no icons that one sees on the actual screen on the controller to make changes or have a visual of whats going on ?

there is no app available to see whats going on while away or to control away from home ?

Yes there is a web UI...meaning you go to a web address on your local network in a browser. You can make changes, see graphs, turn equipment on and off...etc.
You can access remotely as long as you can get on your local network remotely. There are various ways to accomplish this. I myself VPN into my local network and there is my controller!

 

[SDchris]

Seawater total alkalinity from open-cell, non-purged, stepwise, potentiometric titration data.
It's in python but maybe of interest.

Chris

 

[theatrus]

Kind of funny. In highschool I used to build DC power supplies for all sorts of things. Got into Reef-pi over 20 years later and was thinking to build my own power supply till I read the specs on the 7805 vs lm2586. I guess I am getting old too lol.

The LM2586 is a dinosaur too, lots more efficient higher frequency switchers out there, but you can’t beat the price of those modules.

 

[Ranjib]

Seawater total alkalinity from open-cell, non-purged, stepwise, potentiometric titration data.
It's in python but maybe of interest.

Chris

Interesting. Let me read through the docs. Do you know the author ?

 

[SDchris]

Interesting. Let me read through the docs. Do you know the author ?

No I don't.
I have been working on my own alk monitor for while and was looking for a program to be able to use for comparative tests, so as to rule out where some of my errors are coming from (probe, controller or software)
Have just ordered the parts for the Reef-Pi pH/orp board. Looking forward to giving it a go with the above software.

Chris

 

[Ranjib]

Awesome. Keep us posted on your finding.

 

[Ranjib]

Update on the ph board driver development. Last night I applied my pico tanks calibration, calibration was done with Hanna ph checker readings against the same tank water at same point in time, twice. So it was a two point calibration. I applied it using API( command line, since UI support is nit there yet) . The results are looking promising after the probe ran for about 15 hours now. Finally I can see the ph cycle of both tanks are indeed very similar..

I’ll keep this running, and report back the results. Unless there are any surprises, I’m waiting from @Zekth or @Michael Lane to make the UI changes to support calibration and we are good for a beta build that you all can test out.

 

[Bigtrout]

Update on the ph board driver development. Last night I applied my pico tanks calibration, calibration was done with Hanna ph checker readings against the same tank water at same point in time, twice. So it was a two point calibration. I applied it using API( command line, since UI support is nit there yet) . The results are looking promising after the probe ran for about 15 hours now. Finally I can see the ph cycle of both tanks are indeed very similar..

I’ll keep this running, and report back the results. Unless there are any surprises, I’m waiting from @Zekth or @Michael Lane to make the UI changes to support calibration and we are good for a beta build that you all can test out.

Can I super duper like this!

Guess its time to get a ph probe on the way!!!

 

[Ranjib]

Can I super duper like this!

Guess its time to get a ph probe on the way!!!

Do you have test build or you plan to update your current build ? I can share the steps to configure calibration, just let me know when your probe is in.

 

[Bigtrout]

Im running 2.3, but not scared to update...i dont have the test build but id love to help test...

Ill probably order a probe this week...anyone like the pinpoint marine probes?

A freshwater guy with a ph probe, will I have to order a tux and look sophisticated?(read the cartoon a dozen or so posts up)

 

[theatrus]

Im running 2.3, but not scared to update...i dont have the test build but id love to help test...

Ill probably order a probe this week...anyone like the pinpoint marine probes?

A freshwater guy with a ph probe, will I have to order a tux and look sophisticated?(read the cartoon a dozen or so posts up)

The Pinpoint probes are a decent value. I also had good luck with the Extech probes but they have a very short cable.

 

[theatrus]

Update on the ph board driver development. Last night I applied my pico tanks calibration, calibration was done with Hanna ph checker readings against the same tank water at same point in time, twice. So it was a two point calibration. I applied it using API( command line, since UI support is nit there yet) . The results are looking promising after the probe ran for about 15 hours now. Finally I can see the ph cycle of both tanks are indeed very similar..

I’ll keep this running, and report back the results. Unless there are any surprises, I’m waiting from @Zekth or @Michael Lane to make the UI changes to support calibration and we are good for a beta build that you all can test out.

Looks good.

I’m also curious how much of the response time of the probes is due to the probe type - are they different types?

 

[Michael Lane]

Update on the ph board driver development. Last night I applied my pico tanks calibration, calibration was done with Hanna ph checker readings against the same tank water at same point in time, twice. So it was a two point calibration. I applied it using API( command line, since UI support is nit there yet) . The results are looking promising after the probe ran for about 15 hours now. Finally I can see the ph cycle of both tanks are indeed very similar..

I’ll keep this running, and report back the results. Unless there are any surprises, I’m waiting from @Zekth or @Michael Lane to make the UI changes to support calibration and we are good for a beta build that you all can test out.

Nice work on the pH drivers! I've still probably got another week or 2 until I have some free time to spend on programming, but I'm happy to help modify the pH calibration to work with the new drivers.