electrical idiot builds a controller - a reef pi build

[Bigtrout]

Thats exactly right, all you need is in the 4 pin...makes a clean install!

 

[Mikeneedsahobby]

So this seems like a cleaner way to wire it. Thanks!

 

[Bigtrout]

So this seems like a cleaner way to wire it. Thanks!

Thats how I did mine, and the boards are supposed to be good to 1000hz, I have found that the lower the frequency the more range you get and the dimmer you can make the light at the low end, but if the frequency is too low you can sense the blinking, I found a good compromise at 150 to 200hz.

 

[Mikeneedsahobby]

Progress while waiting for enclosure and timer plug.

 

[Mikeneedsahobby]

OMG it’s working!!!!!

I’m controlling light intensity!!!!!


If you try to do what I’m doing don’t forget to reboot reef-pi after enabling pcm or changing its frequency. I nearly pulled my hair out for 20 minutes until deep in my memory I remember reading that Ranjib said to reboot. Then it stated working!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mikeneedsahobby]

Full blue with dimmed white makes for a late evening look.



I need put all this stuff in something now.

 

[Ranjib]

yay , I like these eureka moments

 

[Bigtrout]

Nice job, you need to change your thread name. You have taken advice well and thought thru all your problems, and have everything working! You cant call yourself and electrical idiot anymore.

 

[Katrina71]

@Mikeneedsahobby and @Ranjib would you guys mind helping me with building a controller? Actually my 11 year old. He's a tech guy. I am confident he can do it.

 

[Mikeneedsahobby]

@Mikeneedsahobby and @Ranjib would you guys mind helping me with building a controller? Actually my 11 year old. He's a tech guy. I am confident he can do it.

Now that kid looks like a genius!

 

[Katrina71]

Now that kid looks like a genius!

Smarter than his mom for sure. Lol

 

[Bigtrout]

Smarter than his mom for sure. Lol

Start a build thread, everyone on this board will help if he gets stuck on his build or needs some guidance. Thats part of why reef-pi is such a great controller, the whole community is a great resource.
A great place to start is to decide what all he wants to control in his tank and go from there. You can do a build just like the adafruit tutorial, or you cam take a shortcut and start with a reef pi hat from @theatrus, @Michael Lane or @wykat. They are all great hats,depending on what you want to control

 

[Katrina71]

Start a build thread, everyone on this board will help if he gets stuck on his build or needs some guidance. Thats part of why reef-pi is such a great controller, the whole community is a great resource.
A great place to start is to decide what all he wants to control in his tank and go from there. You can do a build just like the adafruit tutorial, or you cam take a shortcut and start with a reef pi hat from @theatrus, @Michael Lane or @wykat. They are all great hats,depending on what you want to control

Thank you!

 

[Mikeneedsahobby]

Start a build thread, everyone on this board will help if he gets stuck on his build or needs some guidance. Thats part of why reef-pi is such a great controller, the whole community is a great resource.
A great place to start is to decide what all he wants to control in his tank and go from there. You can do a build just like the adafruit tutorial, or you cam take a shortcut and start with a reef pi hat from @theatrus, @Michael Lane or @wykat. They are all great hats,depending on what you want to control

@Katrina71 has a build thread. 736 pages long. 5 pages just in 24 hours. It's like r2r royalty just visited my little shack.

Katrina, if you are serious about having your son build a controller I would suggest the baseboard from @theatrus . It is very close to plug and play and even has a custom made housing you can get. In the first 5 pages here I built a reef-pi based on his board. The last 3 have been building a reef-pi based on @Michael Lane board. It is very capable, but you do have more decisions to make for connectors and housing. Of course it does depend on what you want to control. Michael Lane's board has more support for lighting and dc pumps for instance.

 

[Katrina71]

@Mikeneedsahobby Royalty? No. The short bus made a stop.

 

[Katrina71]

I'll have to narrow everything down after we get the new build done. I am reading and learning. Just promise not to laugh too hard when I ask stupid questions.

 

[Ranjib]

@Mikeneedsahobby and @Ranjib would you guys mind helping me with building a controller? Actually my 11 year old. He's a tech guy. I am confident he can do it.

Absolutely, he is the perfect target audience for reef-pi, tag us along whenever you need help. It will be nice to know what all he wants to build etc.

 

[Mikeneedsahobby]

It may not be pretty enough to put a clear lid on it.


But it looks decent with the lid on.



I am off to Mexico for work. I turned goblins on to monitor the tank and room temperature, and make sure the goblins are happy and won’t have a strike. I’ll set them to work controlling things when I get home. AND I cleaned the homework table (work bench) so the wifey will let me come home!

Thank you @Michael Lane for an incredible pi hat!!

Thank you @Ranjib for creating the masterpiece behind it all!!!

Thank you @Bigtrout for all the support, help, words of encouragement, and crazy idea to plant my tank!!!

 

[Bigtrout]

Looking good, the trolls should be happy with that!

 

[Ranjib]

Looks very clean with the lid on