Mega Arduino controller build for Reef Setup

[Tickyty]

:mixed:
I am starting a new build using a Sain Smart Mega controller. My goal with this system will be to run my pumps, temp control, auto water changes and ultimately control my WP40. I have a DIY ATO already that works perfectly so I will only interface the main power of it so that it will not kick on during the WC cycle. I also run AI lights and may try to add them once everything else is up and running. I will also like to add a pH stamp but have not been able to find an Atlas Scientific one by itself. Some of the reviews I read lead me to believe that they are not that easy to integrate or the quality is not the best.

Equipment list:

-Sain Smart Mega2560 with 3.2"tft LCD display and a shield for the LCD display
-Sain Smart 153 ethernet shield- did not know if wireless will work for me so got both.
-CuHead wifi shield V 2.0 - want to ultimatly go wireless so just did this up front
-Chauvet SR-8 8 channel relay pack. These are not mechanical so I still need to find a way to contol the aqualifters being used for Auto Water Changes.
-Waterproof digital temp probe and sensor DS18B20
-I2C/IIC DS1307 Real Time Clock RTC Module for Arduino

All items were found on Amazon except for the clock which was on Ebay. I have all items with the exception of my RTC which is about 2 weeks out (coming from China) and the second Chauvet.

Cost right now is sitting around $260. I see this getting a little over $300 after I get project box, pH stamp and other incidentals. I am halfway to a full Apex but I want to try this for my self to see what I can do.

One thing that I am having a problem with right now is the shield for the LCD will not reach the Mega board once I have the ethernet shield attached. Are there spacers that I can purchase to make this connection? I will post pics later tonight of all of the components.

 

[asid61]

SSRs are okay for smaller pumps like aqualifters.

How are you at $250? When I look all that stuff up, I only seem to get about $150. I guess if you want Prime it makes sense, but otherwise...

On the DS1307: Henning Karlson's library is the best for the DS1307 IMO. Great guy.

 

[Tickyty]

Thanks for the info on the SR8 and DS1307.

I have 2 Sr8's @ $40 per and the wifi module was $65 plus the $45 for the Mega and LCD shield display combo. The Ethernet shield was $20.

 

[d0ughb0y]

I'm going to post my project soon. I've been working on it for over a year and been using it for about 4 months. You may be able to get a lot of ideas from my project and save you from all the trouble I went through. It is based on chauvet and mega board. The hardware is the easy part, you just buy the parts and hook them up together. The software is the tricky part and probably the main cause most projects get abandoned. Currently my arduino sketch is over 3500 lines, all written from scratch.

BTW, I think you overpaid for the wifi and mega. you can get a mega now at buy it now price of $14. I recently got a real authentic mega on ebay for $11.50. I think they are dumping the old models now.
http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=187689.0

I'm thinking of building a scaled down version of my current project using a single chauvet only but using the rn-xv wifly, which sells on sparkfun for $35. It can be done for under $150. Most of the program space is used by the web interface. If I cut down all the fancy stuff and use bare bones web interface, the program will fit in an arduino mini (now selling for $3.70!).

I have posted a few features here in diy thread like the auto feeder control and the water level sensor.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2328819
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2327962

btw, the cuhead wifi looked promising, but it is not as popular as the rn-xv (not sure why). the only thing I think going for the cuhead is the built in memory for storing web pages and log data.

 

[Tickyty]

I'm going to post my project soon. I've been working on it for over a year and been using it for about 4 months. You may be able to get a lot of ideas from my project and save you from all the trouble I went through. It is based on chauvet and mega board. The hardware is the easy part, you just buy the parts and hook them up together. The software is the tricky part and probably the main cause most projects get abandoned. Currently my arduino sketch is over 3500 lines, all written from scratch.

I will be looking for your post. Did you mount the mega in the SR8?

 

[cichlidtx]

+1 on this project.

 

[d0ughb0y]

yes. its a tight fit. I wanted to have everything in one box, instead of the controller separate from the outlets. The DB9 connection goes to a second unmodified chauvet so it can control a total of 16 outlets.

 

[Tickyty]

yes. its a tight fit. I wanted to have everything in one box, instead of the controller separate from the outlets. The DB9 connection goes to a second unmodified chauvet so it can control a total of 16 outlets.

This looks exactly like what I was going for. I am tempted to ask more questions but I guess I can wait until you post your thread. How long before you have it active?

 

[Reefed419]

Yeah Doughboy when you starting a thread. We all want to see how that masterpiece was built.

 

[asid61]

Yeah Doughboy when you starting a thread. We all want to see how that masterpiece was built.

+1. Although it would probably light on fire if I built one.

 

[kbennett]

Instead of using an LCD shield, use an I2C or (IIC-same thing) LCD display.
You can get everything you need (except the SSRs) really cheap from dx.com or fasttech.com with free shipping.

This is the one I used:

http://dx.com/p/arduino-iic-i2c-serial-blue-backlight-lcd-2004-module-display-138616

 

[asid61]

I actually like the LCD touchscreens. If you connect them remotely, then it still leaves many pins open.

 

[Chrisrush]

I have a bunch of parts for an arduino controller based on nicks design but never got off the ground with it. I'd be interested in another thread.

 

[Tickyty]

I have a bunch of parts for an arduino controller based on nicks design but never got off the ground with it. I'd be interested in another thread.

I will be starting once my RTC arrives. Anywhere from 1-2 weeks out.

 

[Tickyty]

My RTC has arrived as well as the temp sensor. It is now time to start loading sketches to test out the hardware. I will be using Doughboy's sketch as a starting point.

 

[JAnwyl]

Doughboy or anyone else, I am trying to connect sensors (temp, float) and am trying to come up with a way besides wires to connect these sensors to the enclosure for the Arduino. I was wondering where you got the female 3.5mm jacks? Was also thinking of phone jacks. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[JAnwyl]

If it helps anyone starting out I got all the components working and am now in the phase were I am combing. https://github.com/JAnwyl/ArduinoAquariumController

If you guys want to drool http://arduino-aquarium.blogspot.com/ this guys aquarium and aquarium controller are awesome in my opinion.

 

[d0ughb0y]

Doughboy or anyone else, I am trying to connect sensors (temp, float) and am trying to come up with a way besides wires to connect these sensors to the enclosure for the Arduino. I was wondering where you got the female 3.5mm jacks? Was also thinking of phone jacks. Anyone else have any ideas?

You can get the stereo female connector from spark fun for $0.50 each. For 4 wire TRRS jack, I got from digikey.com.

 

[JAnwyl]

Doughboy your a rockstar.....thanks.

 

[barjam]

I tried to build my own but never felt like I could trust it. I had a float to bad that causes all sorts of weird ground problems. I ended up just going with an apex.