Howto: PLC Reef Controller II
- Thread starter gabe21804
- Start date
slug
New member
I'm not using a plc, I'm using http://beckhoff.com/english/busterm/bk9000.htm
It's what I mostly program for at work so is easiest and available for me.
It's what I mostly program for at work so is easiest and available for me.
sailfinreef
New member
slug said:
that looks like it might be alittle over my head, plc's are a lot simpler. I would imagine that there are very few limits to that baby once you get the languages down.
javajaws
Premium Member
What sort of logic are you guys incorporating into your program for turning on/off your MH (and other) lights? I don't plan on doing anything fancy with moon phases etc..but what I plan on is:
- Master on/off override
- Delayed on (5 min) for power off/on cycles (to let the MHs cool down before refiring).
- Adjustable memory settings for on/off times for each MH.
- Hour meter (with reset) for maintenance. Optional maintenance light when hour meter reaches a preset number.
Anything else I should think of? Anybody add a light sensor in their canopy to detect cases where the bulb fails to fire correctly?
- Master on/off override
- Delayed on (5 min) for power off/on cycles (to let the MHs cool down before refiring).
- Adjustable memory settings for on/off times for each MH.
- Hour meter (with reset) for maintenance. Optional maintenance light when hour meter reaches a preset number.
Anything else I should think of? Anybody add a light sensor in their canopy to detect cases where the bulb fails to fire correctly?
sailfinreef
New member
java jaws,a sequencer would probably be easiest for turningn the lights on and off. as far as keeping a record of how long they were on I think that would be pretty easy especially if the plc Sword would allow you to easily change the time constants.
slug said:
They are a better conductor, the better conductor you have on that bnc end the better your readings will be. I want to rule out any all accuracy issues I can. I've read a few sites that talk about building these circuits and they've all recommended using atleast gold plated connectors.
When I work on cctv systems and were using extremely high resolution cameras we use gold plated bnc connectors to, to do the same thing give the best possible connection you can have.
javajaws said:
Thought about the light sensor, decided that for now its not important maybe in the future, I just wanted to get the system up and running.
Why do you need a 5 min on/off delay for the halide? If your using a realtime clock and checking its time with a compare statement its going to turn on and off at the specified time. Giving it more than enough time to cool down..etc Maybe I'm missing something.
On another note the marine depot order came on time, the probe is here. I'll see if I can't get some results for you guys tonight.
javajaws
Premium Member
gabe21804 said:
Lets say its the middle of the afternoon, MH lights are on. You then loose power for a few seconds/minutes (storm, etc.). I've heard if you don't let MHs cool down before refiring they may not successfully restart. Adding the delay during power on of the PLC is a safeguard against this.
This is equivalent in functionality to Digital Aquatic's "sure-on" feature in their ReefKeeper controller.
- Jason
javajaws said:
I knew I was missing something, sounds like a good idea. I might just have to do that, something you may want to think about is a transfer switch system like mine.
I use 120AH 12VDC Sealed Lead Acid batteries, when the power goes out a 4dpt relay switches the load from ac current to battery / inverter current. Then an input on the plc closes and starts shutting stuff off thats no essential to a power outage, all lights in my case (thats my only high current device I need to lose). From there it keeps running in "power save mode" til power is restored (I have enough batteries to keep me running for roughly 11.5 - 12 hours.
Your idea now reallymakes me think I still need to do this, because if I lose power and this system kicks in, I'll still need a timer in place to make sure if it comes back quickly the MH will not turn on for 5 mins or so. It would also come in handy with the backup system itself, meaning when the system comes on it has to stay on backup for atleast 15 mins. This way the system isn't switching back and forth if there are a few quick outages seconds to mins apart (Ive had this happen before).
Wow Java, you made me think of some really bad things that could be happening without these timers in place especially with my backup system.
javajaws
Premium Member
javajaws said:
OK, I thought of 1 more "must have" feature (at least for me): a kill switch for the current lighting cycle (as opposed to the master MH kill switch). I like to have my lights on a little later in the evening so I can enjoy the tank when I'm home at night. But the tank is in my living room and sometimes I want to kill the lights just a little early when its movie time (DLP projector...doesn't like any ambient light at all). So a "kill this light cycle" switch would kill the lights for the rest of the light cycle...the switch would reset itself before the next light cycle (haven't thought about how yet) and I won't have to remember to flip a switch or push a button the next morning to turn them back on. Sweet.
as far as I know I would only need about 8 digital outputs and about 4 analog inputs.
I you guys get the Siemens compact PLC for about $150 you'll be ready to rock in no time since the digital in/out puts are rated for 10A each.
And as far as I know there are PID loops available.
I you guys get the Siemens compact PLC for about $150 you'll be ready to rock in no time since the digital in/out puts are rated for 10A each.
And as far as I know there are PID loops available.
javajaws said:
JavaJaws: Just create a latching feature that when input such and such is activated it latches on until a certain set of circumstances are met. In your case have it until the realtime clock makes it to its designated "off" time. At that point the latches ends and allows the cycle to go back to normal and the lights will turn on in the morning. Hope this helps.
I'd also ad a master reset button, or a reset button for just the lights. Incase you want to restart the lights before the latch ends.
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