(Another) DIY LED Controller - Simple Arduino Style

[roundman]

Thanks for the info on controlling the fans with the temp. I think I will skip that part.

Another question.
How do you determine what size wire you can use. I was wondering if you could use Cat5 (I know it is for digital but we use it also for serial connections at work). It would make the connections from the leds/heatsink to the controller a lot cleaner. I am just worried about it heating up. I think it is 24g solid. I used a piece I had and it will work but not sure for how long.

Thanks
Rawn

 

[liquidarts]

Muda, that one is fine to use.I doubt they will come with hearders so you'll have to solder the wires to the LCD.

Roundman, the CAT5 cable will be ok to use for small voltage application just not 110v.

 

[muda]

soldering is my second name :lol:

 

[TheReefNinja]

Bah never say you will build one of these for someone. I just ordered a bunch of parts they already shipped and now the guy backed out of the deal and its too late to cancel my order.

 

[larrybeck]

Hey ReefNinja, I'm interested per our PM chain a few weeks back. Let me know what you've got on the way, what it can do and what you'd like for it. Maybe we can make it work out for you anyway.

 

[liquidarts]

Ouch Tom....that really sucks.I've had a few people here in the Springs want one too but they won't put down a deposit...their loss.

 

[TheReefNinja]

Larry ill keep you in mind sorry I never got back to you things have been crazy around here

Martin, tell me about it I fell for the hey make me 2 of those for my tanks..... so I ordered up some parts for him and now he wont answer my calls, txts, or emails. funny too because I was building these for him for cost and he was gonna chuck me a few frags of some nice sps he has. Oh well maybe now someone who can actually appreciate what they are can get em.

 

[shikhyung]

Reefninja, Martin can you take a look at this LCD http://www.satistronics.com/hd44780-...ght_p1103.html? Are they use able?

 

[liquidarts]

Reefninja, Martin can you take a look at this LCD http://www.satistronics.com/hd44780-...ght_p1103.html? Are they use able?

Yes they are fine.

 

[TheReefNinja]

+1 any HD44780 LCD will do doesnt matter the size but the bigger the more that can fit on it.

 

[shikhyung]

Sound good. 4 bucks a pcs is not bad though.

 

[muda]

hi

Anyone experienced LCD reveerting to hieroglyphic ? I cant see usual things on lcd randomly and kind of hieroglyphs are shown instead. Lights are working properly at same time though. If reset -all goes back to normal.

I thing this should not be like that ?

 

[TheFishMan65]

Some one just had this problem, but it might have been in another thread. And I don't remember the answer, but look around.

Also check your solder connections. How long are the wires going to the LCD it might be noise. If you run just the controller does it behave?

 

[muda]

Wires are close to 6 inch I thing. Can I imitate kind of noise to be sure it is or it isnt the reson ?

 

[TheFishMan65]

I don't know how you would imitate it. It could be feed back form the lights/pump/etc turning on or off.

6 inches sounds reasonable. Is it connected to an IIC bus? What else is on the bus? If you write a LCD reset routine will that temporarily fix it?

 

[TheReefNinja]

Yea I had this issue its interference and good luck getting rid of it I had to reconfigure my setup and it still happens every so often.

 

[TheReefNinja]

It was caused by relays turning on and off and also a stand alone wave maker plugged in to the same power strip did it.

 

[liquidarts]

Seems to me that if it's still happening Tom that a signal filter is needed,correct?

 

[TheFishMan65]

Maybe or larger capacitors on the power line.

 

[TheReefNinja]

what is a signal filter? and a cap on the power line? anyone got a example of this?