DIY Reef Controller

[nkd5024]

That is a neat little chip, especially for $26 less than an etape controller.

What does everyone else think? Any opinions?

It seems just as easy to interface with as the etape and it only requires 3 capacitors. The sensor can measure up to 15" of water depth compared to the 12" max of the etape.

 

[rott]

this sounds very cool I always like new toys woganaga will you share the board files or where you bought it from?

 

[nkd5024]

Just received my order from digikey, got lots of goodies to stare at while I wait for the PCBs to come.

 

[Photobug]

this sounds very cool I always like new toys woganaga will you share the board files or where you bought it from?

http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/prod_summary.jsp?code=MPXx5004

Or at least that is one source. Not sure if that is just the pressure sensor and the board needs to be added to it.

 

[Photobug]

I found Mouser has a few different types of these available. The pressure switches.

 

[nkd5024]

Digikey sells them for $14. I adding one to my order before it shipped out to give it a try.

 

[Photobug]

Digikey sells them for $14. I adding one to my order before it shipped out to give it a try.

Which one did you get? There are quite a few options. Are you going to wire it directly into a PCB?

 

[nkd5024]

Copy and paste MPXV5004GC7U-ND into their search and it'll pop up. 8 pin DIP package and works with 1/8" tube. I bought it to test out but if I decide to use this instead of the Etape I will more than likely try to find a way to mount it outside of the actual controller.

I was thinking of mounting it like this simple picture I drew. The red tube is the 1/8" tubbing connected to the sensor. The grey tube is standard pvc with holes drilled in the bottom to allow water inside of it. The green square is obviously the PCB with the chip mounted to it with the wires going into the pvc cap, which will need to be sealed extremely well. The black piece separating the pvc tube from the cap would protect the pcb from the water and humidity and would only allow the 1/8" tube to enter/

Sorry for the crappy drawing, hopefully you can get the idea.

 

[luc.claudel]

Hi everybody,

am writing from France, I'd like to congratulate nkd5024 for his software, very nice
So i have some questions:
If i want to change the pics of your software, i go to the sd card files but i can't to open the .raw, do you protect this pics ??? or maybe i don't use a good program for to open them, actually i use photofiltre and GIMP, i work under linux

I don't understand for the light, i see on the display only 3 channels right ??????
Or i need to select the chanel and add them, how many PWM channel can i use ???

Thanks

Luc

 

[nkd5024]

claudel,

Thank you, very much appreciated.

When I first started the project I only planned on supporting 3 channel of leds. I soon realized that many people would need more than channels of dimming than that so I up'ed the number to 6. The currently available version of the software doesn't yet show this change.

If you'd like to change the images you can pm me your email address and I will email you the photoshop files. They are currently a mess with the layers not having names, etc. Once I finish up the first prototype of the controller I will make the files available on the google code site with a tutorial to change the backgrounds.

 

[rott]

Have to wait on my new SD boards to arrive from China to finish putting this together

 

[luc.claudel]

Thanks for your answer, i will test and come back to you via the forum or via mp
For the drivers, for me it's easy coz i use the meanwell LDD-1000H, the HLG meanwell are not dimmable at 5.5 volt with the arduino 2560 or i need to built a special driver, for what, the LDD works fine

 

[rott]

If you had extra LDD 1000 send them my way I am using them also

 

[nkd5024]

Just got an email from Itead last night, the boards have shipped! Never ordered anything from china before so I have no idea how long it will take, although I got shipping via DHL so hopefully within a few days.

 

[rott]

I just got boards from there yesterday DHL wants you to be their to get delivery or they wont leave them just a note you have to fill out the back and then he leaves them the next day

 

[Photobug]

Just got an email from Itead last night, the boards have shipped! Never ordered anything from china before so I have no idea how long it will take, although I got shipping via DHL so hopefully within a few days.

I was wondering why you chose DHL, coming from China makes sense now. Maybe a week or 10 days from China. If you leave a note on your door giving them permission they will leave the package for you.

 

[55tang]

Should be 5 days DHL, if you go post 2 weeks. I did order couple times from dfrobot, once I placed my order on Mon. I had stuff on Fri.
Does any body know, when the LDD-1000 should be back in stock, I'm trying to find some but everybody is out.

 

[luc.claudel]

As for me, i never order directly from china, with postmail in france we receive the parcel within 2 or 3 weeks, maybe 4 weeks, it's free shepping but too long for me !!!!
i use saintsmart packing board, TFT lcd and shield and all arduino sketch works fine on saint smart board
There is a distributor in germany and when he has not in stock, it comes from china with DHL within 5 days

 

[nkd5024]

I just got confirmation that the boards have left hong kong. I also received my abs sheets today!

I'm off to the depot for acetone and then will start building the enclosures, so check back later today for some photos!

 

[Photobug]

Hi Nick,
Look forward to more photos of the build.

Can I get a parts list when you can? I have the Arduino components figured out but the list of small parts from Digi-key or mouser, I am clueless on and would like to get them on hand so I can be ready when the rest of the components arrive.