My DIY Netduino Controller and Multi-channel Multi-chip LED Cannons

iced98lx

iced98lx

New member
This started as just building some lights for my 180, but has now spiraled into an entire controller build so I'm going to move the information over here from a couple different threads.

Light wise this is going to work out to about $210 for the first light, and $120 per light after that for 2 additional lights. Over 3 requires another power supply, over 10 requires another run of boards.

(Per Light)
Drivers
  • 4x LDD-700H (http://www.powergatellc.com/mean-well-ldd-700h-dc-dc-converter.html)
  • 1x LDD-350H (http://www.powergatellc.com/mean-well-ldd-350h-dc-dc-converter.html)
    Board that they mount to:
    Revised5upLDD-HDriver_zps666a881e.png

    ($34 for 10 printed up.)
  • Special thanks to 02Surplus, RRSCO and others in the LDD thread for making that board and making this build possible.
Power Supply

Terminals
  • cheapy ebay screw terminals
    (enough for all of them)

Chip
  • Ebay "Dream Chip" knockoff
    (will take $90/shipped per chip)

Thermal Managment
  • 100w or better PSU cooler from a p4/athlon. I happen to have a bunch laying around, so $FREE

Controller:

Somewhere in the midst of going with a simple controller (google typhoon LED for one) I decided I wanted to be able to control all 15 channels independently. this requires 15 PWM outputs. I was going to do an arduino board and a shield, but I'm a C# developer by trade, so when I discovered netduino the route was obvious. Starting as a simple LED controller it became obvious that I should just build an entire controller. Tomorrow my Netduino plus 2 arrives, by friday I'll have a temp sensor, real time clock, relay setup to control pumps, and the PWM shield to control the lights.

The controller will log to another server via HTTP posts of various parameters, and will take http posts to control things remotely. Individually it's all been done on either netduino or arduino so it's just a matter of me pulling together the pieces into one project.

Things to log

Things to control
  • 15 PWM channels for dimming meanwell LDD-H drivers for LED's (https://www.adafruit.com/products/815 )
  • up to 8 120v Outlets. Ordered http://www.amazon.co.../ref=pd_sbs_t_1 for now, will package up neatly when I'm ready.
  • I'll need to do several things on a schedule, so I've also ordered an i2c Real time Clock.
  • EcoTech VorTech Pumps (RF) //eventually, I will likely use the RF module from Reef Angel for this

I will work this system out on my biocube while demo starts on the new office to build the stand and cut a hole for the big tank.

Cheers to my (almost) wife for supporting me on this one!
 
Last edited:
Purchased so far:

  • Netduino Plus 2
  • Temp Probe
  • Real Time Clock
  • Relay Circut
  • PWM Controller

Should start arriving today.
 
Sweet!

I'm subscribed. Thanks for the link to the PWM expander! That's something that had me stumped until now. I hope you'll provide some insights into your control "sketch" and other hardware choices, as I'm good with electronics but completely suck at the software side of these projects LOL :headwalls:
 
O2Surplus said:
Sweet!

I'm subscribed. Thanks for the link to the PWM expander! That's something that had me stumped until now. I hope you'll provide some insights into your control "sketch" and other hardware choices, as I'm good with electronics but completely suck at the software side of these projects.
Click to expand...

This build wouldn't have even started without your board layout, so thanks to you sir!

As for the software side / "Sketch" I opted for the netduino over an arduino based solution because the netduino is a .netMF device. That means it runs Microsoft's .net Micro Framework. Programming involves hooking the board up to your windows PC via USB, opening visual studio, and writing some C# or VB code. Check out the 'getting started' tutorials on it, it makes it much more approachable.

The trade off is the speed- similar code in C# vs the C based "Sketch" language will take longer to execute because of the overhead of the .net framework. Worth it for me, though as a C# dev who doesn't want to learn the C based sketch language for arduino.

Also as a bonus on netduino, tons of Arduino shields/boards etc have drivers/programming available for them (such as the Adafruit 16 channel PWM board I linked). Makes shopping for sensors etc easy and the Forum / Wiki are very helpful.
 
I am currently building a similar project but using the arduino. It will be interesting to see which way you go with hardware/software.

As was recommended to me, the etape liquid level sensor isn't the best thing to use for aquariums. I bought one and tested it out and quickly realized that it is quite sensitive to any movement or twisting/bending of the sensor. It was recommended I try out a pressure sensor. It only cost $14 and after some testing I've done it seems to be a lot more consistent in its readings. Heres a link if your interested. http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/MPXV5004GC7U/MPXV5004GC7U-ND/951844
 
nkd5024 said:
I am currently building a similar project but using the arduino. It will be interesting to see which way you go with hardware/software.

As was recommended to me, the etape liquid level sensor isn't the best thing to use for aquariums. I bought one and tested it out and quickly realized that it is quite sensitive to any movement or twisting/bending of the sensor. It was recommended I try out a pressure sensor. It only cost $14 and after some testing I've done it seems to be a lot more consistent in its readings. Heres a link if your interested. http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/MPXV5004GC7U/MPXV5004GC7U-ND/951844
Click to expand...

Thanks! I've looked over the pressure sensors and other means of measuring depth as well. I've discussed the use with the manufacturer and they agree that if you are able to mount the eTape in a situation where it's not on a flexible surface and not being moved it is ideal (and accurate) and easy to calibrate for this situation. If for some reason it doesn't work out I'll likely end up with the pressure sensor to measure depth. I don't want to end up with a series of floats, is my main requirement. I want to know how much water, not that it's deeper than X but shallower than X.

Appreciate the input!!
 
Netduino Plus 2 Arrived today, one day late (thanks Amazon) but here none the less:

2013-01-03100124_zpsb195773a.jpg


Being my first micro-controller project, the head unit is much smaller than I expected.
 
On the N+2: Real time debugging + easy to understand tutorials make this a great thing. Only thing is with the N+2 being new I didn't see a lot about how to do networking etc. I haven't updated my firmware yet so I'm seeing an incorrect MAC address which led to some initial confusion (Is the networking working?!) but after I figured out that indeed, it is working... super cool!! I quickly cobbled together a couple lines of code to make a web request and tell me via LED if it was successful:
Code: 
using System;
using System.Threading;
using System.Net;
using Microsoft.SPOT;
using Microsoft.SPOT.Hardware;
using SecretLabs.NETMF.Hardware;
using SecretLabs.NETMF.Hardware.Netduino;
 
namespace Hello_World
{
    public class Program
    {
        public static void Main()
        {
            // write your code here
            OutputPort led = new OutputPort(Pins.ONBOARD_LED, false);
            var myReq = (HttpWebRequest)WebRequest.Create("http://chrisuthe.com/robots.txt");
            var myResponse =(HttpWebResponse)myReq.GetResponse ();
            if(myResponse.StatusCode.ToString() == "200")
            {
                led.Write(true);
            }
            
        }
 
    }
}
SUCCESS!!


Now it's back to the 8-5'er for a bit, but I feel good knowing I can upgrade firmware later today and get started planning how the software end will function.
 
Looks cool! I've got no idea what any of that coding means, LOL, so I'll just continue sitting here with my head nodding in approval LOL.
 
megadeth72 said:
tagging along so I can see how you mount your light and enclose your controller
Click to expand...

I've got some ideas floating in the back of my head, but it might not be of much help to you as my tank is in wall so it won't be as pretty as it would be if I were building them to hang in an exposed room.
 
Todays Progress:

Ordered:
1 x LDD-350H
1 x SE-350-48
From Powergate Express LLC

Ordered:
4x LDD-700H
From Mouser (they are basically tripple price vs powergate but in stock)

Power gate won't have 700's in stock until late feb (the 22nd) so I went this route since they got the power supplies in today (Ship monday) and already had the 350's in. Powergate is obviously the price leader here, but they admitted they were having problems keeping the LDD's in stock but did say they had big orders coming in in feb, so I'll wait to buy the rest of my drivers from them.

PCB's Ordered from iMall iteadstudio.com (Thanks for the design 02surplus!!)

Should have everything to put together a light by the end of the month.
 
Sweet!

I hope enough people will order the 5up LDD-H PCB and choose the "open source" option with their order, so that Itead will add it to their site and make it available in smaller quantities- LOL.
 
Got the chip bought after some 'make an offer' haggling on ebay. Went with a bit faster shipping on everything coming from China, so hopefully the investment pays off. I'll do a total cost in a few days as things arrive. I spent a bit extra ordering parts from Mouser vs PowerGate since they were out of stock until late feb. I also spent extra to get faster shipping on the LED chip and the boards. Still under $250 for a pendant, I believe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Facing LED Woes: Controller Troubles and Compatibility Questions 🤔💡
Replies
3
Views
824
combs.eric.813
C
R
Ph Control Set Up
Replies
0
Views
1K
rdavidw
R
Easygoing1
PFO Aquatics SOLARIS Rebuild And Questions
Replies
8
Views
2K
oreo57
oreo57
Anemone
Kessil AP700 FS
Replies
0
Views
592
Anemone
Anemone
M
ESP32 - AQma WiFi LED Control - 8 x LED Channels, 3 x SSR. FOR FREE!
Replies
2
Views
2K
danielch2008
D
Back
Top