My DIY Automated Controller Build.
 

I thought i would share with you guys the progress ive been making on my controller.

Here is a list of whats completed right now with my controller:

Arduino Mega
RTC
20x4 4 bit LCD
ATO with built in protection timer and on/off override
Auto water changer
Auto salt mix preparer
Alarm mute and reset
Flood detection
Feed switch to cut off main circ pump for feeding and Maintenance
Sunrise and sunsets for led array and fuge
Chiller runaway cutoff
Heater runaway cutoff
PWM cooling fans for led array ( Fan speed proportional to Heat sink temp )
Fresh water reservoir low water detection

Alarms for :
Chiller & heater runaway
Flood detected
Tank temp to high/low
Tank ph too high/low
Tank Salinity too high/low
Reservoir water level low

External pumps cutoff if flood detected.

Serial commands from pc to remotely activate:
AWC start/stop
Salt mix start/stop
Alarm mute/reset


Currently working on:

Home made LED drivers ( 9 off )
Home made Peristaltic pump drives and controls ( 4 off ) ( Dosing, Priming & Calibrating )
Salinity measurement circuits for main tank and salt mix
PH measurement circuits for main tank and salt mix
PC to controller WIFI connection

Im almost done so then ill be able to tackle learning how to make a GUI to interface to the PC for real time monitoring, datalogging and remote control.

If any of you have any idea of an easy to learn, yet powerful GUI software please let me know. A nice GUI is all that is needed to top off this incredible build!! Ive even impressed myself at how far ive got and especially since ive never done anything like this before last December!!!

Please see the link in my signature to my website documenting the whole design and build so far.

Enjoy,


VR

Whoa ... looks like the mother of all DIY ... I never understood DIY controllers and PLC stuff too well ... This looks to be highly automated and I look forward to your progress!

The plan is for full automation as time progresses. I used to deal with PLC's when i used to be an engineer and i only learned the Arduino stuff since last xmas. Theres tonnes of info out there and if you have a little bit of electronics knowledge you can accomplish alot.

Glad you liked the read so far!!

VR

I was just looking at the arduino sitting on my desk while researching a reef keeper, thinking this cant be that hard. Awesome project I look forward to following your build and hopefully replicating what i can. I was most worried about doing the probe stuff but if it can be done I shall try.


Mike

Probes are easy!!!

Heres a great place for probes:

http://www.made-in-china.com/showroo...catalog-1.html

Ph probes are $8.00 and Conductivity probes are $15.00

I have them and they work great!! Only problem is you have to wire transfer money to them which costs about $40 :(


Also try here for the PH probe circuit:

http://blea.ch/wiki/index.php/PH_Meter

And this for the Conductivity ( Salinity ) circuit:

http://blea.ch/wiki/index.php/PPM_Meter

Myself and several other have these circuits and some are using them with very accurate results. Mine are not ready yet, but soon will be!!

Hope this all helps!!

VR

Awesome build. I really like how you prototyped as well. You gave me plenty of ideas for mine too, thx. Are you going to include any schematics on your site as well? I would really be interested in your circuits for PH and Salinity in particular.

Jeff

I posted all the schematcis on here the other day but for some reason the Mods have to inspect them before they will post them. Ill give them a shout later on and get them to post my reply.

Here is the ph circuit:

http://blea.ch/wiki/index.php/PH_Meter



Here is the Salinity ( EC ) Circuit:

http://www.octiva.net/projects/ppm/

Then try these guys for the ph and salinity sensors:

http://www.nengshi.com/en/

Good quatlity and awsome price!!!! Ph probe $8 and EC probe $15. The only problem is that you have to wire the money to them which costs about $40 :(

Hope these helps!!!


VR

hey reefr - (since i'm an electronics n00b) for the salinity meter, i'd need (ideally) a probe like on that side + the controller electronics in the link, right? the link talks about a diy sensor, but i could swap in one of the commercially available ones, right?

Sure,

The SDLS-1 shown at http://www.nengshi.com/en/new_lab.asp?id=254 is what you need. They are only $15 + your banks wire transfer fee.

They come with a BNC connector which you just connect to your circuit. Just place a male BNC connector into your circuit.

VR.

thanks!

mind if i axe a couple more questions about that schematic?

is it possible to build without a scope? there's some language on the diagram along the lines of 'adjust V1 pot until oscillation occurs". i'm assuming that's not something i can just measure with a meter... (fwiw my electronics education is slightly beyond highschool physics)

You don't need the scope for the gain but you do need it for the 1st part of the op amp that creates the AC sinewave. Without it you will never be able to set the deal up right.

I bought this simple kit for when i set up my probes:

http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/dig...els-p-514.html

http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/ima...duct/cope1.jpg

VR

enjoyed the read may have to give one a try soon thanks

nice setup

Awesome build; very jealous that you have time and know how to do this. How's the system/setup coming?

The system has been going great up until just recently. I got laid off and am now waiting until spring until the hiring starts again. I will then be buying a house so once all thats done, i can then finish the controller, setup the tank and then start playing on my internet/pc interface, automated salt mixer and frozen food dispenser.

Lacking on the dollars and space to build anything ( 700Sqft apartment ) you can see why its had to go dormant for a few months :(

But once i get back on it ill be back on with the updates etc. Im as excited as everyone else is to get this thing back on!!!

PS. Let me guess your a city fan seeing as you live in Manc!!!! My GF spend 4 years at UofM. Many a good night out!!!!

VR

VR

I have also been playing with an Arduino for a controller. Could you email me the schematics of yours? Looks like you have some very nice features. Mine is very basic.

Thanks

Hi guys ive just updated my webpage as to where im at with this!

Progress has been a little slow due to moving house, being laid off twice and all the usual crap life seems to throw at you all in one go, but im pleased to say its all sorted out and now, and i can jump back on here and get this thing finished.

I updated my webpage today, as Google seemed to kick every one off the webpage hosting for a while. So i put on some new pics and words of where im at.

Enjoy!!


https://sites.google.com/site/richardorme1979/

wow looks great. I have a few questions. Those little breakout boards for the Driver IC, where did you get them? I made a driver myself using an LM3404 Ic and its a ***** to work with because its so small. I ended up buying a hot air rework station and solder paste. What IC did you end up using? Also did you do all the programing yourself? I could use a hand with my setup.

Hi Stage,

The break out boards i got from Sparkfun, They make working with the SMD stuff so much easier!! I found soldering them was not too bad, just take your time and keep your soldering iron tip clean.

I ended up using the Zetex ZXLD1362. Its a great little driver. 1A and up to 60V. Im driving 12 LED's of each string at 48V.

As for the programming i did most of it myself. I used alot of copy and pasting from other people's codes on the arduino forum and then adjusted it to suit my application. I used to program industrial PLC's and had never done an C before so i know my code is not anywhere near how it should be written. However i have written it to how i understand it and so far its working fine. Time will tell once im up and running to see if i have any bugs in it.

VR

that is great, Im an EE but I work with high voltage a/c power systems so my programming skills are lacking. PLCs are great to use and pretty easy to program using ladder logic. Would you mind maybe taking a look at my code and make any suggestions?

Hi Stage,

If you tell us a description of what your controller will do and then copy and paste the code onto here, i know there are several other people on here who will take a look and possibly add their input.

VR

looks great. I'm using an arduino based controller and was thinking of adding a salinity monitor to it :)

Lookie what the UPS man brought me today....................




oh and i also made a start on my PC interface.....




We are slowly getting there and i can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!

VR