pH electrodes

[bromion]

Gordonious: The Go!Temp probe is stand-alone and plugs into the USB port. The other probes require additional hardware, which is outlined on the site. The system with the most ports is $220, and can attach 6 probes. They also have individual adapters (plug one probe into one usb port) for $60 each.

See
http://www.vernier.com/go/golink.html ($60, one probe)
http://www.vernier.com/mbl/labpro.html $220, 6 probes

It's overall a pretty nice solution, unless the probes and other hardware are junky. I did order a Go!Temp, and I'll post my impressions when I get it set up.

 

[Gordonious]

Ahhh ty. So the Go temp works independently, but the pH sensor there does not and would require something like the golink or labpro.

I suppose one of the reasons I should look into more diys is that I would one day like to have at least 4 temp probes. Although $160 for 4 is still looking cheaper then the other multiple parts.

I guess pH doesn't come that easy, I'll look at this more when I'm done with my class work today.

 

[Gordonious]

bromion
If it wouldn't empty my bank account I would be getting a go-temp as well and may with my first pay check. Please let me know how things work out.
"If you have a desktop computer to devote, you could even get away cheaper on the DAQ by buying an old ISA or PCI card. "
What exactly would this be called and is there something specific you would recommend? I do have a PC I could dedicate to this and have been planning on that the whole time. If I went that way I could do just the, ph probe(50), conductivity probe(40), and temp probe(maybe 30) and have all that working with my pc collecting the data? I might so start cleaning shoes, or washing cars, or bagging groceries for a couple days if that is the case.(not really)
But I guess it comes down to is I will spend the time and money and get stuck on the software, get a major head ache, and end up putting the stuff in the basement with hours waisted.

Jon

 

[bromion]

I just got the temperature probe the other day. I did some playing with it, and it's as accurate as my cheap digital thermometer. The software is also extremely straightforward and they give free programming samples for all platforms. I am going to make a temperature control program using the Go!Temp and some form of outlet switching (X10 or custom).

As for the DAQ, you would look for an Analog I/O card. They come in PCI, ISA, USB, and sometimes serial port flavors. USB is the cheapest way, I think, but I imagine there are plenty of old ISA boards floating around used for cheap or even free. Need an ISA slot in your machine, though. Programming would be somewhat extensive. You would need to get a library of some sort to read from the analog input and possibly write to the analog output. For example, http://www.comedi.org (linux library for just that).

 

[bromion]

I should add: with a DAQ not from the Go!Temp people (Vernier), there is no need to buy their probes. You can buy any probe, transmitter, and wire it up to the analog input of the DAQ (see previous posts in the thread... that was my initial question). That is exactly what the Vernier hardware does, just pre-packaged nicely.

 

[Gordonious]

I was going to ask. So if I get a DAQ like their lab pro or go link from Vernier I can only attach their probes?

Jon

 

[bromion]

If you get the Vernier it appears you can only attach Vernier probes. If you get a more generic DAQ, you should be able to attach any probes, though probably not the Vernier probes.

 

[Gordonious]

Thanks bromion. Keep us up to date on the Go-Temp. I was hoping to do just about the exact same thing with X-10 devices as you are. However I was just going to have the PC IM my screen name, going to my cell, then poping on my lap top and turing the X-10 off. Perhaps disabling the heaters and turning on fans automaticly at a certin temp, say 82.5, then alerting me of trouble at a higher temp, about 83. I would of course do something to the oppisit effect at lower temps turning on an extra heater disabling fans and perhaps turning on a sump light if it isn't already as well as logging the temp readings all the time and uploading occasionally to my website.
Lots of possibilities once you have the information trouble is getting the numbers in the PC.

 

[Gordonious]

I have got to get a pH probe. I don't know what is going on with my tank. Some test kits say the pH is way high. Some say it's fine. And today in the lab I measured the pH using a digital probe and found it to be just about 7.9 I am going color blind or crazy or something. I can not figure out what my pH is. I need to get a probe as well as some standards to make sure the probe is reading right. Now I just need to find the money. I have started working, but that credit card debt has got to go soon.

Any luck with getting Go-Temp working?

 

[bromion]

The Milwaukee PH meter is quite cheap -- $30 or so -- and you can buy 7.00 calibration fluids for a few bucks. It's not a continuous probe, but a meter you use and read on the spot.

 

[Gordonious]

"I am going to make a temperature control program using the Go!Temp and some form of outlet switching (X10 or custom)."
Any luck with this?

I may not be getting the go-temp, but may decide just to get.. a lot. I fear horror stories and I don't like to risk anything. You might say I'm obsessive compulsive at times. I want to be able to check into my tanks online and see the salinity, temp, and pH at least. I also want to set up temp control program to kill heaters and activate fans and alert me if it needs to do so, so I can see what is going on. Gtg study. Chem exam tomorrow.

Jon

 

[Gordonious]

Help!

I am going nuts with these tests and I am going to get a PH probe. I hoping not to just get a probe I am going to buy a PH probe, humidity probe, salinity, several temp probes, and what ever else I can find that I can attach to my PC. I am going to make the computers do the work. I am tired of having test kits failed and trying to decide if this color is the same as that color. As I am barely passing general chemistry I also do not trust myself any more with mixing chemicals especially when it comes to the lives of my animals.

Please help me figure out what it is I need to do to get here. I have a very small back ground in programing and basic understanding of electronic components. I will be saving up so money, but currently have none, so if it requires a bit more research and understanding to save a good deal of money, just point me in the right direction and I will start reading.

 

[ronc98]

If you are wanting to save money, Spend it on good manual test kits. I designed a controller with all the functions you listed. In the end it would have been way cheaper to buy something commerical then build it yourself. Not to mention the time savings.

 

[BeanAnimal]

cheap and time saving are definatly mutually exclusive with respect to to designing a reliable and accurate automation system. I have a room full of breadboarded projects pages full of code and still don't have my system online. (though I did get the dallas 1-wire temp loggers running... up to 64 of em on one interface..)

Bean

 

[Gordonious]

I'm willing to spend time, but not to waste it or waste money. I know I have seen at least one site where the owner had his tank parameters in the top right corner of his page updating live, anyone remember where this is and have the URL?

So what it seems you guys are saying is the DIYS has been tried and failed. The only ones how ever figure out how to really do it, don't share the info, just sell it.

There was one thread about a DIYS controller using a linksys router. They all swore they were share there ideas and plans. Mysteriously right before they completed there project all of them disappeared and stopped positing on RC completely. Couple of things could have happened. 1)They could have all went crazy and jumped of the face of the planet. 2) A super evil corporation could have come by scared to loss profit and took them all out. 3) They all changed screen names so they were still allowed to talk on RC and started selling there ideas regardless of the fact they swore they wouldn't.

 

[ronc98]

It is not a matter of trying and failing. I take it you have never developed something this complex. Granted it is not rocket science but it is not as simple as throwing a few probes, a few op amps you are done. I have spent ove rtwo years on my project.

There are plenty of detailed posts in this forum complete with Schematics for various controllers. Some standalone, some PC, some based on the router idea like you mentioned. All of these will require a decent amount of work to complete. I have seen many threads start well only for the main people to loose interest. I really can not blame them and for those that keep at it I can not blame them for trying to sell their ideas. The time they put into it is worth something.

I have seen a lot of input from people in regards to skimmers and equipment like that. But when it comes to something a bit more complicated there is not much of a knowledge base around.

Bottom line is if you are looking to save money, you will not do it making it yourself. Buy a commerical one and save yourself some time. If you want something that is not available which wa my reason then go for it, but plan on spending 2X the money of a commerical controller!

 

[Gordonious]

Ok, well I guess my question then would really be what is available. I plan on having set up a large system and at least two freshwater systems.(each with several tanks) I want to monitor the PH, temp, salinity, humidity(in my room and reptiles tanks), and what ever else. I would like to be able to get the information on my PC is the biggest thing.

I want to be able to get to information about my system from anywhere I can connect to the net, which is beginning to be just about anywhere.

I would like to eventually set it up so when the temperature in my tank gets to 85 my computer will text my cell phone and all the info is shared on my website and logged on my pc. <-- This is where I believe a bit of DIYS may be required, but I am not going to spend $500 to get the information on the computer and find out not a penny of that will be useful when I want the info logged, and on my site.


I am sorry if I have changed the subject in the thread and took over I'm just pulling my hair out and I am trying to cling to anyone that might be able to help me. Please PM me.

 

[slug]

It's not rocket science, like stated below, but if you don't have experience with electronics and automation there is a lot to learn just to get to the point where you can pick the right equipment.

I think projects dissapear from here because people lose interest. I've been putting my system together for the last 3 years, I only work on it on and off when I don't have other things to do. Also, if I made a price list of all the equipment I have in my system I'm sure I could buy 2 commercial systems, and even then I picked a lot of it up on ebay for bargain prices.

 

[slug]

My system uses a BK9000 as the base, it could be plugged right into your router and accessed from anywhere. This system has no logic on it like a plc system but is 100% controlled by a pc on my network. http://beckhoff.com/english/busterm/bk9000.htm

Beckhoff sells a labview'ish software to control their hardware but I just control it directly with modbus.

 

[ronc98]

When I set up my controller I did wanted the same thing. It wanted to be able to monitor multiple tanks for one, and then get messages from the net and also the ability to send SMS in error events.

Slug I commend your controller however I would always be worries to leave my fish tank in the hands of BillGates.