Eheim Feeder with Reef-pi

[k2-]

Hi Guys, I have got the Eheim feeder connected to my controller (robot-tank) and added it under equipment under reef-pi. What from here? How do i make it to work ?

My feeder is powered on and display is up and running.

#robotank #reef-pi #autofeeder #reefpi #eheim

 

[robsworld78]

Hi Guys, I have got the Eheim feeder connected to my controller (robot-tank) and added it under equipment under reef-pi. What from here? How do i make it to work ?

My feeder is powered on and display is up and running.

#robotank #reef-pi #autofeeder #reefpi #eheim

Hi, if you added it to the equipment tab it should just be a matter of turning the port on for a second and then off. You can setup a timer to do that so it's automatic.

 

[Magicgnome]

Hi Guys, I have got the Eheim feeder connected to my controller (robot-tank) and added it under equipment under reef-pi. What from here? How do i make it to work ?

My feeder is powered on and display is up and running.

#robotank #reef-pi #autofeeder #reefpi #eheim

Hi. How did you connect it to the robotank controller?

 

[Sral]

Hi. How did you connect it to the robotank controller?

Probably like this.

 

[LeftyReefer]

Seems like a lot of work when you can just buy this guy for $22 and tell Alexa/Google to feed your fish.
wifi fish feeder

 

[Sral]

Well, it is worth it if you want to have one interface for your whole aquarium that firstly, runs fully automatically and secondly, is fully digitally accessible from holiday.

 

[robsworld78]

Hi. How did you connect it to the robotank controller?

Hi, if you need more help let me know.

That wifi feeder is cool but if you have to use their app I wouldn't. Reef-pi can also work with Alexa so if the feeder is connected you could still say "feed the fish". :)

@Sral, if you want to use a feeder like that all you need is an NPN mosfet, the drain pin would go to the feeder signal in that diagram. When you press the feed button it simply bridges the ground momentarily to start it up so the mosfet works good.

 

[Sral]

@robsworld78 Thx for the idea, I totally missed that one ^^

 

[robsworld78]

@robsworld78 Thx for the idea, I totally missed that one ^^

No problem, if you need more info I can post it.

 

[Sral]

Sry, for kind of hijacking this thread ^^

@robsworld78 Go ahead, I might need it.
As far as I can see it from your guide on the Eheim feeder, it's probably mostly giving it some power and emulating a button that pulls the signal line up or down with a transistor, right ?

 

[robsworld78]

Sry, for kind of hijacking this thread ^^

@robsworld78 Go ahead, I might need it.
As far as I can see it from your guide on the Eheim feeder, it's probably mostly giving it some power and emulating a button that pulls the signal line up or down with a transistor, right ?

Here's the schematic, any logic level NPN mosfet will work.

The Drain (D) pin is what goes to the feeder manual feed button.

 

[MikeSpike]

Hi. @robsworld78 ive just this mod. Using your great instructions. It’s Noe connected to my robo tank.
1. The display isn’t working is that expected?
2. I can operate it under equipment but it go round and around until I turn it off. Do I have tried using a macro but the wait time is inconsistent. My understanding from the post above is that it should go round once each time it’s turned on.

 

[robsworld78]

Hi. @robsworld78 ive just this mod. Using your great instructions. It’s Noe connected to my robo tank.
1. The display isn’t working is that expected?
2. I can operate it under equipment but it go round and around until I turn it off. Do I have tried using a macro but the wait time is inconsistent. My understanding from the post above is that it should go round once each time it’s turned on.

Hi @mikespik if you can control the feeder it sounds like you wired it correctly however the display should still work, you should still be able to set schedules on the feeder itself. Do you have the 3.3v going where the battery connects?

If you just turn on the feeder port it will continuously spin, you need to turn on then add delay of 1 second and turn off port. That should give you one spin. Repeat if you want extra spins. If you can't get it working with the macro you can use a schedule, it has the option to turn off after 1 second.

 

[MikeSpike]

Hi @mikespik if you can control the feeder it sounds like you wired it correctly however the display should still work, you should still be able to set schedules on the feeder itself. Do you have the 3.3v going where the battery connects?

If you just turn on the feeder port it will continuously spin, you need to turn on then add delay of 1 second and turn off port. That should give you one spin. Repeat if you want extra spins. If you can't get it working with the macro you can use a schedule, it has the option to turn off after 1 second.

Thanks. I understand that’s what should happen but it doesn’t. The display doesn’t work and the rotation stops when the port goes off.

 

[robsworld78]

Thanks. I understand that’s what should happen but it doesn’t. The display doesn’t work and the rotation stops when the port goes off.

Maybe try removing the signal wire and only attach Ground and 3.3v to the battery terminals. That's simply replacing the batteries with same power so feeder should work the same as batteries.

 

[Enigma79]

Hi all,

I have a robotank controller and I followed the instructions in the document. The feeder gets power. My feeder is not responsive when I turn it ON from the dashboard. I see that there are some steps missing with connecting the NPN transistor. Can someone provide pictures of the connections of the transistor to the board. Thank you.