Must-haves for EASY DIY controller?

[nauticac4]

I have read some good things about the TMP 36 temperature sensors. They have a 0.1 degree resolution and cost about $2.00. Very simple to hook up to an arduino ground power and Vout to an analog input on the arduino.

The downside is they dont run parasitically like the DS18b20.

 

[terahz]

DWZM, while I agree there might be better options than the DS18B20, I think we should stay away from analog sensors. The reason is we all want sensors at different locations/different lengths of wire and without additional circuitry (and sometimes with) you really can't get reliable numbers with good accuracy. At least that is what I found out with the LM35s. The main reason I moved to the DS18B20 is that it is digital over the wire.

My suggestion is if someone wants to try a different temp sensor, they should go for a digital one, so that you don't have to worry about inaccuracies due to wire/soldering/noise etc.

Also, the DS18B20 is not really that bad in the 10°C-40°C range.

Regarding the price, findchips.com is our friend. I got mine from Allied Electronics for $3.55 each. That's not that bad.

nauticac4, according to the datasheet the TMP36 has "±2°C accuracy over temperature".

 

[NelsonPJ]

While Googling for these sensors a month or so ago, I found the DS18B20 on Tayda Electronics for only $1.60. The shipping is also reasonable (something like 99 cents when I ordered 4 or 5 sensors). They ship from Thailand, but it didn't take that long to get my order.

http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-205/DS18B20-1-Wire-Digital/Detail

I'm not sure why they're so much cheaper, but they seem to work...

 

[byee]

........just skimmed this thread building the aquarium controller using the Arduino micro controller. I've purchased my Arduino a year ago to do exactly but time has never been on my side. GREAT job guys!!!

Where can I find the files for the PCB layout?

 

[ZenMastr1968]

........just skimmed this thread building the aquarium controller using the Arduino micro controller. I've purchased my Arduino a year ago to do exactly but time has never been on my side. GREAT job guys!!!

Where can I find the files for the PCB layout?

Byee, skim back a few pages in the thread (maybe 5 or more) and you will see a post about the google site with all the project info..... Hope that helps

 

[vitreous]

im going to place an order for 10 on seeedstudio. ill want 2-3. the rest will be available. PM me if you want them for exactly the cost.

 

[vitreous]

the rest are taken now. thanks.

 

[vitreous]

Sorry if this is a repeat but I wanted to note if anyone is ordering these boards with the gerbers on the google site, you might want to explain to the PCB shop that the units are different on the gerbers versus the drill file.

The gerbers are in units of inches whereas the hydra.txt drill file is in Excellon format, 4 digits to right of implied decimal. Its just a scaling issue, they should be able to figure it out.

Vit

 

[DustinB]

Sorry if this is a repeat but I wanted to note if anyone is ordering these boards with the gerbers on the google site, you might want to explain to the PCB shop that the units are different on the gerbers versus the drill file.

The gerbers are in units of inches whereas the hydra.txt drill file is in Excellon format, 4 digits to right of implied decimal. Its just a scaling issue, they should be able to figure it out.

Vit

The gerbers on the site are specifically exported for seeed/iteadstudio. There will be no issues sending them to either of those 2 companies.

Which company did you go through?

 

[vitreous]

Hi Dustin,

It was actually your post I was trying to clarify. you had said "BTW, I uploaded gerber files that will work on the code site. They will work if you order from iteadstudio or seeed studio. Make sure you mention that the drill file is off and needs to be adjusted."

All I wanted to add is what I believed to be what is off between the two; i.e. the units. I had a coworker load the gerbers and thats the only thing he saw off. After correcting the scaling issue, everything was perfect.

Vit

 

[Llamaguy]

I've skimmed through most and read the last few pages. I'd be interested in a board the next time someone orders a batch.

 

[vitreous]

I ordered from Itead Studio on the 28th and got an email they shipped today, the 1st. Pretty quick, hopefully quality is fine.

 

[DustinB]

I've ordered from itead twice. The only difference I have seen is the soldermask doesn't appear to be as thick. It's not ultra thin by any means, but seeed seems to be a darker green. Both of my orders have come out great. Expect roughly 2 weeks for shipping.

 

[5ft24]

Anyone heard from Seelig?

 

[Llamaguy]

I was looking around for alternatives to the relay boards terahz used and came across this: http://www.amazon.com/Chauvet-SR8-8-Channel-Relay-Pack/dp/B000MWUQTG

It looks as if it takes 9 pin computer cord, but I couldn't find info on what it takes for a plug to turn on. I suspect it's no different than the other board, but built into the box. If so this would be a nice alternative (and cheaper).

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Llama, do some more reading in the back pages of the thread - that's the same unit several of us are now using, or at least very much like it.

 

[nauticac4]

llama,

look back a few pages and youll see a board for the chauvet relay that Dustin and I worked on. we havent ordered boards yet but its made to tie the chauvet sr-8 to the arduino

 

[reefology]

Like DWZM stated, the project goal is for people to have a working controller where all they have to do is solder parts and load a premade sketch. In the end there will be several pages explaining the controller in detail along with example pages for different things such as relay control, etc...
.

Hey guys, wondering if there is a tutorial of some sort yet? Been following this thread for some time and would like to give this diy a try. Been in the hobby for decades and most of my equipment is diy...minus the electronics. Figured there's no time like the present!!!

I have no electronics experience (other than replacing a few resistors on my wavemaker pro a while back) so i'm a little overwhelmed with all thats involved and really 'need' visual step by step instructions before i can feel confident about moving forward.

btw, think what you guys are doing here is awesome...collaborating to bring an idea together in a public forum for almost a year now is pretty cool.

Hat's off to all of you...cheers :celeb1:

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

No tutorial yet. There is some very basic documentation together on the website but it's really an overview of what the thing does, not an assembly or use guide. I/we have a pretty good idea for what the documentation will look like but no time to put it together in as of yet.

That said, I've had a bunch of people let me know they want to contribute to or support the project but are unsure how to do so. If anyone has good documentation skills and wants to help put this together, shoot me a note.

 

[NadMan01]

It's so hard to sift through all of the pages, so do you have a basic hardware list and a base release of the firmware you can point me to?