Anyone have a DIY Controller?

drillsar · 02/04/2008, 11:34 PM

I remember I read somewhere someone did this

customcolor · 02/05/2008, 12:18 AM

im working on one hooked up to my computer to run my lights and a few dosing pumps. granted using a windows program is not the most reliable but its not like ill be using it to run my pumps, ozone, or controle my ph so im going to do it

all i need is a cable and i can start.

Icefire · 02/05/2008, 04:25 AM

I'm gonna run a PLC for my 110G, 100% reliable

BeanAnimal · 02/05/2008, 05:40 AM

There are a handfull of us who have developed controllers.

I am currently working with an Atmega128 micro. Others have used

Dallas 1-wire with a Linksys router
Dallas 1-wire with on a PC or other platform
PC based software with USB or ISA/PC I/O
Motorola microcontroller
Rabbit microcontroller
PIC microcontroller
PC with X-10
PLC system
Home Automation Controllers
Ocelot automation controllers
Etc.

What are your skills and what are you trying to do.

EnderG60 · 02/05/2008, 06:21 AM

is there a way to connect probes to a PC? Like calc, ph and orp?

Once you have an interface of probe and PC reading and controling shouldnt be to hard.

Ive been wanting to try this, but its down on the list of projects at the moment so i havent done much research.

richard21 · 02/05/2008, 08:07 AM

Hi,

Have a DIY controller unit that may suit -

Please mail me for a full manual and program code etc, about 2mb

Richard

richard21 · 02/05/2008, 02:58 PM

Hi,

EnderG60 - have replied to your mail twice but keeps returning as mailbox not found

Richard21

EnderG60 · 02/05/2008, 03:54 PM

DOH wrong email address, fixed it sorry

funman1 · 02/05/2008, 04:28 PM

I know there's tons of people who have done that, but here was mine I did over a year ago.

PLC Based
Start
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...ight=controller

And then continued here
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...ight=controller

customcolor · 02/05/2008, 04:55 PM

her is a link for probs you can hook up to a computer with ther Go Link adaptor
http://www.vernier.com/probes/

EnderG60 · 02/05/2008, 05:24 PM

Controlling lights and pumps and such is simple, a cheap laptop and some X10 or the like can do that. its reading and controlling things like ORP, ph, calc and the like im more interested in.

BeanAnimal · 02/05/2008, 09:46 PM

Yeah, not to mention that problem with x-10 is that it is a 30 year old protocal that has no error correction or feedback between the controller and the devices being controlled.

drillsar · 02/06/2008, 01:30 AM

im interested in the reading of ph, etc as well, anybody done that?

drillsar · 02/06/2008, 01:59 AM

found one interesting:

http://members.optusnet.com.au/markdem/

EnderG60 · 02/06/2008, 09:30 AM

thats basicly what im looking for(I just want more probes to read)

For simplisity(sp?) sake I just want something PC based. Once thats done, I can write some software pretty easy to control dosing(since calc and alk controlling isnt feasable yet), as well as log the status of all variables I want/ can get probes for. And it would be web accessable too.

and yeah I know what you mean about the x-10 stuff, but there are plenty of other options for this. Hell it doesnt even have to be wireless, but it would be nice.

All I really need is a simple way to read probes(temp, ph, orp, and if possible calc and alk) on a PC, rest is cake.

drillsar · 02/06/2008, 11:43 AM

I agree EnderG60, the aquacontroller is nice but alot of $$$

fade2grey · 03/01/2008, 05:32 AM

anyone hear anything more about this project?
http://www.compudoc97.com/SWNDIY3.html

http://www.compudoc97.com/SWNDIY3pr.html

Looks fantastic but last update was a few years ago..

dixonjk · 03/01/2008, 06:31 AM

Thats a lil beyond DIY!

BeanAnimal · 03/01/2008, 06:58 AM

Wait till you see my touchscreen project

fade2grey · 03/01/2008, 07:46 AM

BeanAnimal... touch screen? sounds cool.. tell all

Seriously though guys, if anyone knows anything about that project (or fancy's guiding a noddy through building one like theirs in return for some start to finish destructions & pics for the greater good)

drop me a mail on fade2greyuk [at] hotmail [dot] com

BeanAnimal · 03/01/2008, 08:14 AM

I will tell all as soon as I get it completed. I still have a PCB to design and etch to interface the touchscreen to the microcontroller board.

02/04/2008, 11:34 PM	#1
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,298	Anyone have a DIY Controller? I remember I read somewhere someone did this

02/05/2008, 12:18 AM	#2
customcolor Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: kaukauna, wi. Posts: 3,881	im working on one hooked up to my computer to run my lights and a few dosing pumps. granted using a windows program is not the most reliable but its not like ill be using it to run my pumps, ozone, or controle my ph so im going to do it all i need is a cable and i can start. __________________ PLEASE DONT USE GREAT STUFF (THE YELLOW STUFF) IN YOUR TANK........USE POND FOAM (THE BLACK STUFF).. I BEG YOU! Great stuff====$5 a can 24-48 hour cure Epoxy to cover it====little as $5 for small projects or up to $100+ for larger projects and another 24-48 hour cure I hope you covered it well cuz if you didnt it will start to break down in a few months sand is another added cost to cover up the yellow. Pond foams====$9-$15 a can 24-48 hour cure DONE! You can cover it with sand if you want to (YOU DONT HAVE TO) though but thats added cost again Current Tank Info: 75 gal under way

02/05/2008, 04:25 AM	#3
Icefire Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,263	I'm gonna run a PLC for my 110G, 100% reliable __________________ 2 black Onyx, 2 P. cardinal, 3 Lyretail anthias, 1 y. watchman goby, 1 Foxface, 1 Lieutenant Tang, 1 Mandarin, 5 clown gobies, 3 chromis Mixed reef Alk 8.5, Ca 400, Mg 1250, SG 1.025, PO4/NO3 0 Current Tank Info: 110G display, 50G refugium, 180 LBS LR/BR, 120lbs sand, Vertex 250 Skimmer, Phosban reactor 300W heater, 333W T5HO, OR3500 return , 4 Tunze 6025 @ 4800GPH, 8w UV, RO/DI

02/05/2008, 04:28 PM	#9
funman1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Citrus Heights, CA Posts: 4,848	I know there's tons of people who have done that, but here was mine I did over a year ago. PLC Based Start http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...ight=controller And then continued here http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...ight=controller __________________ A Reef Aquarium is a hole between sheets of glass, that the aquarist fills with money. "Sharks are naturally peaceful." Jack of all trades, and master of none. ~Steve~ Current Tank Info: 75G, 30 Gallon Cube, (2) 12G NANOs, 20G Garage Grow out,

02/05/2008, 04:55 PM	#10
customcolor Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: kaukauna, wi. Posts: 3,881	her is a link for probs you can hook up to a computer with ther Go Link adaptor http://www.vernier.com/probes/ __________________ PLEASE DONT USE GREAT STUFF (THE YELLOW STUFF) IN YOUR TANK........USE POND FOAM (THE BLACK STUFF).. I BEG YOU! Great stuff====$5 a can 24-48 hour cure Epoxy to cover it====little as $5 for small projects or up to $100+ for larger projects and another 24-48 hour cure I hope you covered it well cuz if you didnt it will start to break down in a few months sand is another added cost to cover up the yellow. Pond foams====$9-$15 a can 24-48 hour cure DONE! You can cover it with sand if you want to (YOU DONT HAVE TO) though but thats added cost again Current Tank Info: 75 gal under way

02/05/2008, 05:40 AM	#4
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,336	There are a handfull of us who have developed controllers. I am currently working with an Atmega128 micro. Others have used Dallas 1-wire with a Linksys router Dallas 1-wire with on a PC or other platform PC based software with USB or ISA/PC I/O Motorola microcontroller Rabbit microcontroller PIC microcontroller PC with X-10 PLC system Home Automation Controllers Ocelot automation controllers Etc. What are your skills and what are you trying to do.

02/05/2008, 06:21 AM	#5
EnderG60 Plumbing Engineer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,935	is there a way to connect probes to a PC? Like calc, ph and orp? Once you have an interface of probe and PC reading and controling shouldnt be to hard. Ive been wanting to try this, but its down on the list of projects at the moment so i havent done much research.

02/05/2008, 08:07 AM	#6
richard21 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: uk Posts: 2	Hi, Have a DIY controller unit that may suit - Please mail me for a full manual and program code etc, about 2mb Richard

02/05/2008, 02:58 PM	#7
richard21 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: uk Posts: 2	Hi, EnderG60 - have replied to your mail twice but keeps returning as mailbox not found Richard21

02/05/2008, 03:54 PM	#8
EnderG60 Plumbing Engineer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,935	DOH wrong email address, fixed it sorry

02/05/2008, 05:24 PM	#11
EnderG60 Plumbing Engineer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,935	Controlling lights and pumps and such is simple, a cheap laptop and some X10 or the like can do that. its reading and controlling things like ORP, ph, calc and the like im more interested in.

02/05/2008, 09:46 PM	#12
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,336	Yeah, not to mention that problem with x-10 is that it is a 30 year old protocal that has no error correction or feedback between the controller and the devices being controlled.

02/06/2008, 01:30 AM	#13
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,298	im interested in the reading of ph, etc as well, anybody done that?

02/06/2008, 01:59 AM	#14
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,298	found one interesting: http://members.optusnet.com.au/markdem/

02/06/2008, 09:30 AM	#15
EnderG60 Plumbing Engineer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,935	thats basicly what im looking for(I just want more probes to read) For simplisity(sp?) sake I just want something PC based. Once thats done, I can write some software pretty easy to control dosing(since calc and alk controlling isnt feasable yet), as well as log the status of all variables I want/ can get probes for. And it would be web accessable too. and yeah I know what you mean about the x-10 stuff, but there are plenty of other options for this. Hell it doesnt even have to be wireless, but it would be nice. All I really need is a simple way to read probes(temp, ph, orp, and if possible calc and alk) on a PC, rest is cake.

02/06/2008, 11:43 AM	#16
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,298	I agree EnderG60, the aquacontroller is nice but alot of $$$

03/01/2008, 05:32 AM	#17
fade2grey Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 6	anyone hear anything more about this project? http://www.compudoc97.com/SWNDIY3.html http://www.compudoc97.com/SWNDIY3pr.html Looks fantastic but last update was a few years ago..

03/01/2008, 06:31 AM	#18
dixonjk Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 97	Thats a lil beyond DIY!

03/01/2008, 06:58 AM	#19
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,336	Wait till you see my touchscreen project

03/01/2008, 07:46 AM	#20
fade2grey Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 6	BeanAnimal... touch screen? sounds cool.. tell all Seriously though guys, if anyone knows anything about that project (or fancy's guiding a noddy through building one like theirs in return for some start to finish destructions & pics for the greater good) drop me a mail on fade2greyuk [at] hotmail [dot] com

03/01/2008, 08:14 AM	#21
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,336	I will tell all as soon as I get it completed. I still have a PCB to design and etch to interface the touchscreen to the microcontroller board.