Thought I start a thread since I didn't find one about people making DIY Controllers (Simple or complex).
I have an apex and love it. However I like building projects, since when you build something yourself you can do things exactly the way you want. Also there is the sense of achievement. Using your hands and head to stay mentally active/creative.
Maybe simple: Like a Really Fucntional button and few wire into the Apex Breakout input.
or something a bit more complicated, using your computer, a Raspberry PI, or an ARDIUNO developer board.
Hoping others can share their designs, Coding/logic/ ideas to inspire others, and share tips, tricks, designs.
Here is one of my projects... An Arduino Based Auto Top up I just finished today.
Designed to run my Frag Tank. Separate from DT that run on Apex a distance away.
It's just relays controlled by the ARDUINO, as sensors that sense the Tank Full (so fill up), or RO bucket empty (Alarm that it's time to fill). Few LEDs and a Buzzer. Enhanced a bit with LES and LCD display for status. Also a temp probe to display Tank temp. There is an RTC module to also show time, so it's also clock with date and time in my Sump room area.
The best feature I coded into the logic is a Snooze button. I often disconnect my Tunze Osmilator top up during maintenance. Forget to plug it back in, and days later I notice bubbles in tank since Top up wasn't running. Hate that!!
Parts are as below.
- Case made from packaging for CAR Headlight bulbs and a Case from a IPOD Touch.
- Arduino Uno
- CronDot RTC module with Coin Battery backup
- 5 volt Dual relay module
- A cheap dosing pump
- AC Adapater for pump
- LCD display IC2 controlled
- Buttons, Temp sensor, LED, connectors, and some resistors for the button/sensor pull ups.
- Wires and airline tubing to hook things up.
I have an apex and love it. However I like building projects, since when you build something yourself you can do things exactly the way you want. Also there is the sense of achievement. Using your hands and head to stay mentally active/creative.
Maybe simple: Like a Really Fucntional button and few wire into the Apex Breakout input.
or something a bit more complicated, using your computer, a Raspberry PI, or an ARDIUNO developer board.
Hoping others can share their designs, Coding/logic/ ideas to inspire others, and share tips, tricks, designs.
Here is one of my projects... An Arduino Based Auto Top up I just finished today.
Designed to run my Frag Tank. Separate from DT that run on Apex a distance away.
It's just relays controlled by the ARDUINO, as sensors that sense the Tank Full (so fill up), or RO bucket empty (Alarm that it's time to fill). Few LEDs and a Buzzer. Enhanced a bit with LES and LCD display for status. Also a temp probe to display Tank temp. There is an RTC module to also show time, so it's also clock with date and time in my Sump room area.
The best feature I coded into the logic is a Snooze button. I often disconnect my Tunze Osmilator top up during maintenance. Forget to plug it back in, and days later I notice bubbles in tank since Top up wasn't running. Hate that!!
Parts are as below.
- Case made from packaging for CAR Headlight bulbs and a Case from a IPOD Touch.
- Arduino Uno
- CronDot RTC module with Coin Battery backup
- 5 volt Dual relay module
- A cheap dosing pump
- AC Adapater for pump
- LCD display IC2 controlled
- Buttons, Temp sensor, LED, connectors, and some resistors for the button/sensor pull ups.
- Wires and airline tubing to hook things up.
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