megadeth72
New member
anyone built their own arduino par meter with an SQ-110 sensor?
Arduino par meter
- Thread starter megadeth72
- Start date
I helped build one using a cheap photo diode and an Atmega328. We calibrated it against an an actual apogee sensor and it works pretty darn well. Check this out- http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/120109-diy-par-meter-yeah-you-heard.html
megadeth72
New member
that's great! I have everything except the sensor and diffuser laying around here
what did you end up with for a housing for the sensor?
what did you end up with for a housing for the sensor?
We used small glass paint bottles to house the sensor/diffuser. The paint bottle was water proof but tended to float, so we attached it to a plastic rod in order to hold it down. I built six units on the first go around and we're still working on another 20. Let me know if you want the sketch or the PCB build files and I'll post them for you.
megadeth72
New member
I'm just going to use an arduino nano, I have a few of them, I got the sketch from the other forum thanks
ordered a sensor and diffuser last night, did all of your sensors use the same correctionf actor?
ordered a sensor and diffuser last night, did all of your sensors use the same correctionf actor?
Yes and No. Since we were building more than one and we wanted all the units to show consistent readings with each other. We added a 10k pot to the design, to compensate for the slight differences in tolerances between the photo diodes and the 1% resistors used in the sensor circuit. The correction factor included in the software remained the same for all of the units.
megadeth72
New member
Got my sensor today, just gotta find resistors and wait on the plastic diffuser
megadeth72
New member
Ok this is pretty cool! I'm using a 20k resistor and a 10k pot to dial in, a 1k pot may help to fine tune if needed
I need to find someone with a par meter to calibrate this one, this thing is great!
I need to find someone with a par meter to calibrate this one, this thing is great!
mcgyvr
New member
Here is the photodiode I used.. never had access to a real par meter to calibrate/adjust it though and just forgot about it
http://www.silonex.com/datasheets/specs/images/pdf/103184.pdf
Now that I've got a spare arduino sitting around I might just break it out of the closet again.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1909866
http://www.silonex.com/datasheets/specs/images/pdf/103184.pdf
Now that I've got a spare arduino sitting around I might just break it out of the closet again.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1909866
megadeth72
New member
I got the diffuser in today and got to play today.
my 50w multichip 12-14000k led with reflector and 60 degree lens read 440 par at 12" air
on air at 24" from emitter it reads 220 par
my marineland 18-24 doublebright led runs 20 par at 24"
no way for me to test in tank yet, still gotta build a housing
my 50w multichip 12-14000k led with reflector and 60 degree lens read 440 par at 12" air
on air at 24" from emitter it reads 220 par
my marineland 18-24 doublebright led runs 20 par at 24"
no way for me to test in tank yet, still gotta build a housing
megadeth72
New member
My meter is complete minus a sensor housing and tweaking next to a apogee meter
Cost
nano 15 $
i2c lcd 10 $
sensor 22 $ (sensor was 5 $ shipping hurt!)
case 10 $
battery adapter 2 $
misc wire 3 $
10k pot 2 $
22k resistor .10 $
sensor housing 2 $ (on order)
sensor housing is on order (3 $ plastic container)
The screw pot is used to dial in the number when calibrated to a commercial meter
using an arduino nano hardwired to the sensor
Cost
nano 15 $
i2c lcd 10 $
sensor 22 $ (sensor was 5 $ shipping hurt!)
case 10 $
battery adapter 2 $
misc wire 3 $
10k pot 2 $
22k resistor .10 $
sensor housing 2 $ (on order)
sensor housing is on order (3 $ plastic container)
The screw pot is used to dial in the number when calibrated to a commercial meter
using an arduino nano hardwired to the sensor
megadeth72
New member
sure does, still needs some tweaking, mine wont read over 1800 par, I think that's due to the formula used?
bhazard451
New member
I would love to make this, but it seems beyond my limited knowledge of arduinos and circuit building without a complete step by step. The only reason I was able to build the jarduino was from the extensive manual.
I would ditch my apogee in a heartbeat.
I would ditch my apogee in a heartbeat.
bhazard451
New member
Do you have any left over? I saw you made a bunch at one point.
Yes they're still available. My buddy "MisterGreen" on the other forum hasn't been able to finish all of them yet. He's planning to post all of the up for sale when the entire batch is ready. My recommendation is to subscribe to the thread that I linked and watch for updates. If you can't wait for one that's already assembled and calibrated, just let me know and I'll post the EAGLE schematic and board files in this thread.
I know this thread has been dormant for a while, but this is something I'd be interested in, if you do still have the files, Aaron? Please 
Altho, to be fair, I read a fair bit of the linked thread the other week, and not sure as I actually followed enough to build one, but when I have time I'll go back and read some more...
Tim
Altho, to be fair, I read a fair bit of the linked thread the other week, and not sure as I actually followed enough to build one, but when I have time I'll go back and read some more...
Tim
bcunningham
New member
I would be interested in the Sketch and files as well please. I might be able to piece this together with the thread info
