Who wants a cheap, simple, Arduino-based LED controller?

[wfournier]

Good point. My approach to this was not just cost savings, but to make something really easy for people to throw together who just want to control LEDs.

Obviously when I started this post I was really excited. :lol: You're starting to temper that excitement.



Good point there, as well.

So, let's hear it from the masses - assuming cost isn't the main issue, which would you rather do? Assemble and off the shelf Arduino with a well-documented external circuit (i.e. a "shield") that included the LED-specific functions, or build something custom like this from the ground up?

Can you do both? from the sounds of it you already did much of the work that would go into a custom solution so if you are most of the way there on that why not finish that and then adapt it for an "off the shelf" version. My familiarity with Arduinos consists mostly of knowing that they exist so I may be wrong with my impression.

 

[terahz]

You're starting to temper that excitement.

Sorry about that

For the masses unless there is a significant saving I would say pre built. ... If someone gets a bad board (wasn't that you terahz). or crosses shorts a trace a lot of people won't know where to start to fix the problem...

Yes, that was me and I'm with you on this. For simple arduino, I just don't see the benefit. For projects like Hydra, I'm all over it

 

[hllywd]

All I want to do with this is ramp at least 2 and as many as 8 channels of LEDs on and off with the appropriate duration and at the appropriate time. I have everything else covered. For me until I have time to figure out the coding which I'm not sure I have a lot of use for otherwise a couple ready made sketches maybe including itermitant clouds would do anything I want. Some sort of over ride to manually turn on or off the lights would be useful as well.
Tim

 

[FW fugitive]

So, let's hear it from the masses - assuming cost isn't the main issue, which would you rather do? Assemble and off the shelf Arduino with a well-documented external circuit (i.e. a "shield") that included the LED-specific functions, or build something custom like this from the ground up?

As one of the masses - one who owns a soldering iron and can use Ohm's Law - I'd rather go for the former. I'd rather buy the controller, know that it works, and then build the shield. Maybe even add another one or two later for pH or other functions.

And let me state my appreciation for everyone here & the work & sharing.

 

[icu2]

I see the advantages of both. The tinker in me wants to have an understanding of what is going on and therefore be able to troubleshoot if neccessary if there are any malfunctions. I also see the advantage of having it mostly put together.

 

[jmik26]

So, let's hear it from the masses - assuming cost isn't the main issue, which would you rather do? Assemble and off the shelf Arduino with a well-documented external circuit (i.e. a "shield") that included the LED-specific functions, or build something custom like this from the ground up?

I am for buying the Arduino and constructing a well-documented external circuit. +1 on the appreciation for everyone here & the work & sharing.... Jeff

 

[katchupoy]

I am like many people here at RC doesnt know anything about arduino, maybe Im just old school... But I can do DIY and solder....

What if?

1) Find the cheapest assembled arduino and use it for this project. I believe the cheapest i found is $16??? http://www.moderndevice.com/products/bbb-kit , mind you I dont even know what im pointing to? the difference between this $16 against the $30 or the $50 kits you can easily find on the net.

2) As the arduino will be the base, then maybe we can add the lighting control as a separate add-on module? and start this project from there?

3) and if we get lucky (for us beginners) then maybe we can add another function to control something?

You see, me reading the full blown controller on the other thread makes my limited knowledge to arduino feels like a head spin everytime i try to read it.

is this possible? still way out of $30 budget???

 

[dwl]

well, selfishly I would probably vote for the arduino board and the rtc, lcd and others...

option 2 basically.

It is not that I would not be willing to assemble the whole thing from the ground up, but more that I would not feel too comfortable with the troubleshooting mentioned above from shorts and such (which I would most likely be very good at creating, lol)

I will of course see what the consensus is and then decide.

Another THANK YOU to everyone here and the work and sharing

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

1) Find the cheapest assembled arduino and use it for this project. I believe the cheapest i found is $16??? http://www.moderndevice.com/products/bbb-kit , mind you I dont even know what im pointing to? the difference between this $16 against the $30 or the $50 kits you can easily find on the net.

The main difference between the cheap clones (including the one I've designed for this effort) and a standard Duemilanove Arduino is that the cheap clones don't have USB hardware onboard, which means you need to spend another $10 - $15 to buy a programmer to upload your code. I'm so used to having a programmer onhand I foolishly overlooked this cost when I was throwing numbers around earlier in the thread.

It sounds like the general consensus here is "off the shelf." If this is the case, there are a variety of tools and projects out there already, maybe people don't know about them. The project jener8tionx posted above is a really good example. Not specifically designed as an LED controller, but it's built off a standard Arduino and includes a lot of reef-specific functionality.

 

[joseney21]

i'm in favor of whatever is more educational. i dont know much about the programming and circuitry aspect of this but would like a simple starting point to jump in. i also like the fact that it takes a very popular DIY project (led lighting) and ties it in with the controller DIY projects, i think many (of the inexperienced) will appreciate this and just haven't voiced their opinions yet (lurking or havent come across this thread).

 

[shackscs]

I would rather build one. My electronics skills were no existant until I built my own protoboard for my Arduino.

Since then I have soldered my LED fixture and my very own working led driver thanks to a design by DWZM.

I think the fear of most people is if it is something that has never been done before. But after getting your first board of any sort up and running, that fear fades rather quickly.

Sign me up. Time does not allow me to do the Hydra controller but this is something that will be easy to put into my current LED system.

Put me down for a proto board when they come available.

 

[clittrell]

I am also interested in this project. I am trying to wrap my head around how I want to fix my controller need. I would love to know enough to build a hydra but I do not think that can be my first project. I am hoping that a project like this might get me hooked so that one day I could attempt a hydra scale implementation since in the end that is what I want.

Keep up all the great work and I will keep reading!

 

[Neogenocide]

Der,

Have you made any progress on this?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[Medicoles]

hmm....very interesting.

 

[Neogenocide]

Der,

Any chance your going to pick back up with this project? I know you had some stuff go on, and your now back on your tank build, but would really like to see this one finished up at some point.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Sorry guys, been sidetracked. Project definitely not dropped, just on hold. I have all the parts, just need to build, program, test, etc.

 

[jmik26]

I'm still in and fighting my way through it when I get time. :hmm5:... Jeff

 

[hllywd]

I should have the dimming shield, and RTC playing nicely here in a while... I have a 16x2 LCD, but that's beyond me for now...

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Well, the first prototype has come and gone. Several small tweaks done, and Rev 2 is getting sent to a board house very soon. Hopefully it'll be public-ready soon. (As soon as you can expect with a 3-week turnaround for making the boards!)

 

[Neogenocide]

Awesome news!!!!! If you need any testers....I'll volunteer to be first in line.

Scott