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

[iced98lx]

please post pictures of the chip once you get it, the one I found on ebay did not look very good

If you're looking at the same ones as me, there doesn't seem to be a picture big enough to make anything out. I ordered 1 to check out the quality and color temps to see if I like it enough to do 3 of them. If not, I will likely keep it over a smaller tank and go another route for the big tank. The seller took my offer of $85, but I think they'd probably take less if ordering multiple items.

I really, really want to stick with 3 multichips over the tank, just to keep it simple but if these are junk and with my access to the original 'dream chip' none, I may have to go with groups of multi-chips in various wavelengths, but I really don't want to.

 

[iced98lx]

 

[Gorgok]

Not to be too picky or anything, but you should not be using an acid based flux for wires or electronics in general.

What sensor is that? And did you assemble the probe end your self or get it ready made? I put some ds18b20 sensors on the ends of 3.5mm jack stereo cables, into 316 stainless caps (from home brewing supply places) and filled them up with epoxy. As a strain relief and a little extra water proofing i put glue coated shrink tubes over half the cap and onto the wire a good inch or so. Came out like this:

 

[iced98lx]

Not to be too picky or anything, but you should not be using an acid based flux for wires or electronics in general.

What sensor is that? And did you assemble the probe end your self or get it ready made? I put some ds18b20 sensors on the ends of 3.5mm jack stereo cables, into 316 stainless caps (from home brewing supply places) and filled them up with epoxy. As a strain relief and a little extra water proofing i put glue coated shrink tubes over half the cap and onto the wire a good inch or so. Came out like this:

First and foremost, yes, Acid based flux should not be used with any wires or electronics in general, it's sitting there because I emptied a basket of %#&*( onto my desk.

The sensor is a DS18B20 - I bought it with the probe end assembled from sparkfun. I spent a little more but I didn't mind the piece of mind knowing it's sealed by someone other than me.

The wiring end of things is obviously not done, as nothing could live in a marine environment as it sits. I'll be working out a 1 wire hub for the 3 or so temp probes I'll have total, and a use some sort of proper connector (3.5mm jacks have been strongly considered).

Thank you for your feedback, I appreciate it!

 

[porksmash]

Your posts have turned me on to the netduino. I've been working on and off with an Arduino for a while now but have been frustrated with it as of late (mostly Ethernet shield woes). I have one request, though. Can you re-link the product on amazon you were going to use to control outlets? The links in your first post are all non-working.

 

[iced98lx]

Your posts have turned me on to the netduino. I've been working on and off with an Arduino for a while now but have been frustrated with it as of late (mostly Ethernet shield woes). I have one request, though. Can you re-link the product on amazon you were going to use to control outlets? The links in your first post are all non-working.

Sorry about that, copy/paste from another forum me thinks is the culprit.

This is the sainsmart relay module I grabbed:

http://www.amazon.com/SainSmart-8-Channel-Relay-Module-Arduino/dp/B0057OC5WK

They have 2/4/6/8 channel versions. for $12 I figured if I didn't use them all I wouldn't feel bad.

The thrifty could make their own, or not use a PCB or ..... I save money where I think it makes sense and leave some of the other things to those who are smarter than I.

To give you an idea, I grabbed a 1wire library that uses the native 1 wire stuff in .netmf, as well as a DS18B20 library for the temp sensor, and with this litttle snipit I'm setting the onboard clock via NTP and testing temp every 3 seconds lighting the onboard LED in case of out of range:

using System;
using System.Threading;
using Toolbox.NETMF.NET;
using Microsoft.SPOT;
using Microsoft.SPOT.Hardware;
using SecretLabs.NETMF.Hardware.Netduino;

namespace Hello_World
{
    public class Program
    {
        private readonly SNTP_Client TimeClient = new SNTP_Client(new IntegratedSocket("time-a.nist.gov", 123));
        OutputPort led = new OutputPort(Pins.ONBOARD_LED, false);
        DS18B20 t = new DS18B20(Pins.GPIO_PIN_D0);
        public void checkTemp()
        {
            try
            {
              
                var temp = t.ConvertAndReadTemperature();
                temp = temp / 5 * 9 + 32;
                Debug.Print("At " + System.DateTime.Now.TimeOfDay + " It is " + temp + " in the Biocube.");
                //t.Dispose();
                if (temp > 80 || temp < 77)
                {
                    led.Write(true);
                }
                //Debug.Print("Memory available: " + Debug.GC(true));
            }
            catch (Exception ex)
            {
                Debug.Print("Error Caught Getting Temp");
            }
        }
        public void syncTime()
        {
            TimeClient.Synchronize();
        }
        public static void Main()
        {
            // dont write code here
            Program program = new Program();
            program.TimeClient.Synchronize();
            while (true)
            {
                program.checkTemp();
                Thread.Sleep(1000*3);
            }
        }

    }
}

It's pretty easy stuff, really. I can go into wiring details as well if needed. It was sort of a hard thing to get over for me personally. I'm more of a coder less of a micro-controller whiz.

The above code leaves about 96KB of the 100KB I've got to work with free.

 

[porksmash]

double post :debi:

 

[porksmash]

Ah ok. That looks incredibly similar if not identical to the relay module I have now. I was hoping you found a magic relay board that worked over some sort of communication interface instead of requiring a digital output for each relay. Have you worked out how you're going to fit all that onto the netduino? The I/O count is pretty limited and seems to be filling up fast. I know the atlas scientific modules will require a serial port each, 8 digital outs for the relays, then all the float switches and things. The LEDs are all on a separate board, but do you have any plans for digital I/O expanders?

I've also been looking into the reef angel module for controlling my VorTechs and Radion, and I dug into the schematics enough to determine that the RF module (the EcoTech one, not the reef angel box) just communicates over serial. I wasn't able to find the software that actually resides on the reef angel module, though, so the HOW of talking to it is still a mystery to me. I haven't looked into this for a while, though.

 

[rrasco]

Subbed.

I was going to go with the netduino, but I wanted WiFi so I didn't have to run a drop to my reef room, thus I opted for a LinkSprite DiamondBack. A little pricier ($90), but it is an arduino duemilanove clone with wifi baked onto the board.

I picked up this sainsmart relay board last year to control these outlets:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006J4G45G/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i01
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029L7KRY/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00

I only have two PWM channels so I don't need any expansion there, but I do need more GPIO pins for relays and sensors, so I chose these for that:

http://adafruit.com/products/732

Thanks for linking the PWM expander, didn't realize adafruit had those or I would have picked some up in my last order.

Now I just need to get off my lazy butt and start working on it.

O2, I have a pretty solid sketch I use for my lighting, fairly lightweight and easy to modify. It's capable of supporting multiple strings of each color, but I only use one for each. It's a modified version of something I found here on RC. I can help you get going with it if you are interested. You basically just have to set your PWM pins, max values, as well as start and run durations.

 

[iced98lx]

Ah ok. That looks incredibly similar if not identical to the relay module I have now. I was hoping you found a magic relay board that worked over some sort of communication interface instead of requiring a digital output for each relay. Have you worked out how you're going to fit all that onto the netduino? The I/O count is pretty limited and seems to be filling up fast. I know the atlas scientific modules will require a serial port each, 8 digital outs for the relays, then all the float switches and things. The LEDs are all on a separate board, but do you have any plans for digital I/O expanders?

I've also been looking into the reef angel module for controlling my VorTechs and Radion, and I dug into the schematics enough to determine that the RF module (the EcoTech one, not the reef angel box) just communicates over serial. I wasn't able to find the software that actually resides on the reef angel module, though, so the HOW of talking to it is still a mystery to me. I haven't looked into this for a while, though.

Sorry, there is a ton of I2C chips out there to provide more inputs/outputs though such as the one RRasco linked, that should give you enough I/O. I doubt I'll use all 8 relays, but if I run out, I'll add some more through i2c.

I will likely use the reefangel module for my Vortechs that I do not yet own. There are sketches on the RA forum for it, if you dig a bit.

Subbed.

I was going to go with the netduino, but I wanted WiFi so I didn't have to run a drop to my reef room, thus I opted for a LinkSprite DiamondBack. A little pricier ($90), but it is an arduino duemilanove clone with wifi baked onto the board.

I picked up this sainsmart relay board last year to control these outlets:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006J4G45G/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i01
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029L7KRY/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00

I only have two PWM channels so I don't need any expansion there, but I do need more GPIO pins for relays and sensors, so I chose these for that:

http://adafruit.com/products/732

Thanks for linking the PWM expander, didn't realize adafruit had those or I would have picked some up in my last order.

Now I just need to get off my lazy butt and start working on it.

O2, I have a pretty solid sketch I use for my lighting, fairly lightweight and easy to modify. It's capable of supporting multiple strings of each color, but I only use one for each. It's a modified version of something I found here on RC. I can help you get going with it if you are interested. You basically just have to set your PWM pins, max values, as well as start and run durations.

I'm all about wired vs wireless, but I envy the computing power arduino buys you. I do get event handlers, though

I have book marked the GPIO board, thanks for that, it looks very useful if I wanted to run all 8 of my relays off one chip. I'm waffling on the power strip that I'll use with the relays, I have a couple possibilities, including the one you linked. Now I just need to read and see which hookup leaves me in "default off" vs "default on" and get to playing!

Too much real work right now but here is a hint at what I've been up to as well:

 

[iced98lx]

Soldered up my PWM controller. I'm out of practice, that's all I can say.

 

[iced98lx]

LED has arrived, waiting on some screw terminals now..

 

[iced98lx]

My screw terminals will hopefully arrive tomorrow, also arriving tomorrow is my power strip for my relay setup.

 

[rrasco]

Don't you hate waiting for parts!?!?!

 

[O2Surplus]

Don't you hate waiting for parts!?!?!

I actually kinda like the wait. It's sort of like waiting for Christmas morning when you were just a kid. You counted the days until it came, and then were bummed after realizing that it would be another 365 till it came again. Now I can order stuff while I'm at work, and thanks to "online tracking", I can schedule that "Christmas morning" feeling whenever I want. LOL

 

[iced98lx]

Yea it's good for me to have to wait. I have too many other things to do in the mean time. If everything were here NOW I'd take a couple days off work and .... you get the picture.

 

[iced98lx]

Oh and my power bar came today. Haven't torn into it but looks like it'll work nicely.

 

[rrasco]

I just hate waiting on that one part that is holding up a build. Of course, I say that and I've had all the parts for my new controller for about 2 months now and have not started.

 

[iced98lx]

:spin1::thumbsup::fun4:

ooohhh yeaa.

 

[iced98lx]