DIY Reef Controller

Hey guy, glad to hear you got your packages!

My sleeping schedule is all screwed up as of late between finals and the project though I am trying to put as much time into this as possible so you guys can get everything up and running to mess around with.

I pre-loaded the atmega328 with a sketch that blinks all the pins on and off to test them all with a simple led. The boot loader is ready to go for you to connect the board to your computer and mess around with the chip. It will function exactly as an arduino uno does. Please be sure to select arduino uno in the IDE before trying to upload to the board.

I will be working on the project for the next 9 hours or so so i'll post some links to example sketches to read the pressure sensor, talk to the shift registers, and to talk to the pH stamps from atlas. I will also post the BOM lists and a diagram of where everything goes. I know some of the parts are small but it really is a lot easier than it looks even with a cheapo iron. TO help you along I have made a quick video showing how to solder the small stuff easily.

Nick D.
 
The BOM is uploaded to the google code site and includes the BOMS for the motherboard and the shift register boards. The Atlas stamp boards only require soldering of obvious header and BNC connectors and the analog dimming/pressure sensor boards were all presoldered.

I will not be releasing a full user manual until the firmware is finished but I already have test sketchs that work with the atlas stamp, pressure sensor, and shift register boards. There will be simple instructions on how to setup the boards to get these test to work.
 
The example sketches are on the google code site. There are sketches for the pressure sensor, atlas stamp board, and a single/dual shift register example from the arduino site.

There is also a pinout for the shift register board as the earlier boards don't have a very descriptive silkscreen.

Soldering tutorials to come in a few hours.
 
Wow!!!!!

Wow!!!!!

I mean to tell ya. Just got my boards and I'm blown away. These things are awsome....
I had to solder the shift register board first, man that really got me going! Then I hooked up the ATO pressure sensor and loaded the sketch. FLAWLESS.....
Everything compiled just fine in Arduino ver 1.5.2 not everything is that freindly in this ver. Did what Nick said to do in comments and no problems. Can't wait for more sketches.
I'll figure out how to use the 5.0 screen (even if I gotta have a 2 x 2 display for now)
Really can't wait.....

It looks to me that gas line hose for a weed eater will work just fine for the ATO. You can get it at Home Depot or Lowes.


Nick....thankx so much.....................I can't believe your getting any sleep these days
:dance:
 
Glad everyone is liking the boards!

Here is the link to the tubing I am using for the pressure sensor.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FP0JOC/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The only size that fits is a 3/32 ID tubing.


Sharkboy,

Its not very much, lol. Especially since I've redone the UI twice now. I am trying to get the full beta code ready for release asap but don't have very much time due to school. I am aiming for some time next week for that release.

Once classes are done in two weeks the pace will pick up significantly with this project.

Here's what on the agenda.

1) Add support for 5" lcd screen - should only take a day or two.

2) Figure out how to load images from sd card with arduino due, and then add support for the arduino due.

4) Decide on the best way to incorporate wifi into the controller.

3) Design a board that incorporates the relays and outlets so we aren't reliant on sainsmart continuing their relay modules. If anyone out there is an electrician and knows all the safety requirements involved in this please send me a pm as this board needs to be up to code!

4) Get a website up and running. I've just registered a domain name but will have to teach myself php, html5, mysql, etc. I am thinking we could setup a login system so once wifi is running we can have the controller update a database that everyone can than check to monitor their tanks. If anyone is skilled with web development and would like to help with this please let me know!

If anyone wants to help with the latter two objectives I've got some board for you!

I was also thinking it would be nice if someone were to compile all the great information on building DIY leds found on reefcentral and create a single guide in pdf form that people could refer to instead of having to search all over the place for info. I think this would really help anyone who is completely new to diy electronics but want to setup the controller and leds.

Unfortunately this project is quickly eating up my available funds, but I would also like to figure out a way to get enclosures made with cutouts for the connectors and screen.
 
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Thanks again I am super excited! If I can get this up by the end of July I will be showcasing it to our club along with my led build!


Sent from my SGH-i777 using Tapatalk 2
 
I should have some time tomorrow I'll put a relay board design together and send it to you for review and input
 
i a new proprietary relay board really necessary ? sainsmart is not the only one that makes them and similar boards have been around for a long time
 
It is not a problem to design a new board, but there is a big BUT:
the cost of parts will be compatible to the price of entire board, for now on ebay 8 channel board cost $10-15 (hard to bit this price with a new board). It is much easier to add a connector to a controller to support these standard boards.
Basically nothing to save, just waist of time and waist of money.
Would say the biggest problem the price of drivers.
8 drivers = $80 to $160
 
I have to agree as well. Sainsmart isn't the only company making 8 and 16 channel relays. I planing on using 2 of the large plastic box's from radio shack with relays mounted in bottom and 8 plugs across the top with female plug mounted on the side for power in.
 
they are the same thing as the 8 channel relay boards but have 2 rows of relays hook up is exactly the same as hooking up 2 diffrent boards
 
they are the same thing as the 8 channel relay boards but have 2 rows of relays hook up is exactly the same as hooking up 2 diffrent boards
probably I'm missing something, I'm using:
Channel 1 control CO2, PH
Channel 2 control dosser
Channel 3 control Light
Channel 4 control Light
Channel 5 control pump
Do not now how to use these 3 remaining channels from my controller.
How to use 16 channels cannot imagine
 
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The big plus in my eye for making a separate board is safety features that can be added easier and when designing an easy way to enclose the project. This would also eliminate high powered wires from being all over the place in the enclosure and the need for a busbar since the outlets could be soldered directly to the board. I personally feel that there should be over voltage protection and that any part of the project that touches mains power should be up to code and as safe as possible.

It definitely won't be as dirt cheap as buying the sainsmart modules and some wire, but I think in the long run I'd rather pay a bit more and know it is safe.

That being said even if I do add this board into the project you could still use the sainsmart boards without an extra effort.
 
heaters x3 2 I run one is back up
chiller
power heads for circulation
power heads for wave action
main pump
skimmer
cal reactor two plugs
ph for the reactor
RDS bed pump
reactor for GFO and carbon
main lights x4 halides
actinic lights
led lights
fans

you really do start adding things up. plus I have 2 big tanks and one small 30 for a mantis shrimp that all feed in to a 90gal sump
 
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