Solenoid controller for feeding

[MikeCrown]

I am trying to figure out how to control a solenoid to feed my tank. I would only be using it on my breeder tanks for a short time (a few days at a time). I am not sure what kind of controller would allow me to open the solenoid for 20 seconds every hour...as an example. Any ideas?

 

[Ludders]

What is its power source?

 

[MikeCrown]

I am wanting to use the 24VDC outlet on my Neptune Energy Bar.

 

[Ludders]

I'm a bit limited, but have you considered using a TPLink Kasa power outlet in conjunction with a raspberry pi / reef pi?
It is capable of such timing configurations.

 

[MikeCrown]

Limited? You sound much more capable than me. That sounds like a awesome idea...but my computer ability is limited.

 

[Ludders]

It's really quite easy, very well documented and there are loads of people on here that know what they are doing.

This is my power strip connected to the reef-pi just controlling manually from my phone to give you an idea.

reef-pi with power strip https://rumble.com/ve1c5v-reef-pi-with-power-strip.html

 

[lelandmarine]

If you could do 1 minute every 3 hours you could use a simple smart plug, but that may not be frequent enough for your needs

 

[MikeCrown]

It's really quite easy, very well documented and there are loads of people on here that know what they are doing.

This is my power strip connected to the reef-pi just controlling manually from my phone to give you an idea.

reef-pi with power strip https://rumble.com/ve1c5v-reef-pi-with-power-strip.html

I did look into this but it seems they are not in stock. I am thinking I can make the oscillating mode work with a 120v outlet on the EB 832. That would simplify the overall setup. autotopoff.com has several solenoids I think I would make work by extending the length of the power cord.

 

[MikeCrown]

If you could do 1 minute every 3 hours you could use a simple smart plug, but that may not be frequent enough for your needs

I really don't know what my need will be. The idea is to feed directly from my Rotifer culture every so often for the fish fry. This is all brainstorming at the moment. I am close to getting the breeding setup in place so looking down the road.

 

[lelandmarine]

I’m using a cheap solenoid and a 6 dollar smart plug plus converter to water a plant while away. Cheap and effective, good luck

 

[MikeCrown]

I’m using a cheap solenoid and a 6 dollar smart plug plus converter to water a plant while away. Cheap and effective, good luck

That does look simple! Do you know if you could do something like one minute every hour?

 

[lelandmarine]

I think so

 

[mav3rick478]

Any controller will do this task, the caveat is you kill the relay faster with the amount of on and off switches to carry out the function. That is why people say to have a heater controller do it instead of the tank controller. And have the tank controller as the back up with different parameters to shut off the heater.

If you are going to use the Apex, just look up the code for dosing pumps and change the interval.