Hydros 0-10v options limited?

[adova]

I do a lot of tinkering with Arduino type stuff and have a lot of interesting things planned for a new build. However, a lot of the toys I am designing require 0-10v inputs and outputs to help facilitate communication between the Arduinos and the aquarium controllers.

From what I am seeing in the Hydros line up, my only options for 0-10v input and output are the x4 ($420) and the Wave ($350). That is a pretty steep price tag for 4 channels of I/O.

Conversely, Apex has the breakout box and VDM at a fraction of the price.

I really wanted to check out the Hydros for this tank - is there any other option for getting my creations to communication with Hydros?

 

[oakcityreefer]

I know the Launch has an in and the Wave Engine has both in and out. Keep in mind each in or out port has 4 channels so you can control 4 different circuits with each port.

 

[n2585722]

I do a lot of tinkering with Arduino type stuff and have a lot of interesting things planned for a new build. However, a lot of the toys I am designing require 0-10v inputs and outputs to help facilitate communication between the Arduinos and the aquarium controllers.

From what I am seeing in the Hydros line up, my only options for 0-10v input and output are the x4 ($420) and the Wave ($350). That is a pretty steep price tag for 4 channels of I/O.

Conversely, Apex has the breakout box and VDM at a fraction of the price.

I really wanted to check out the Hydros for this tank - is there any other option for getting my creations to communication with Hydros?

The X4 and WEv2 are the only ones with the 0-10v outputs. The port has 4 individual outputs. There are others with the 0-10v inputs. The Hydros you can consider each controller a stand alone or when in a collective it would be the same as a module with the exception each has it's own control so losing any one controller would not kill the whole system like losing a head unit would. The WELE only has 0-10v inputs so it depends on the wave engine. The Launch also has a 0-10v input port with 4 0-10v inputs. So it depends on which ones you need. The outputs are basically for lighting or variable pump control. Also both of the controllers you mentioned has other input and output ports on them. The X4 has 4 sense ports, 2 probe ports and 2 drive ports. The WEv2 has 4 direct drive ports which are used to drive BLDC type pump motors directly.

 

[adova]

I think I have a solution. After re-visiting what I was trying to accomplish, I really do not need 0-10v for most operations, I only need on/off. With the Sense Port cable, I should be able to achieve that. Thx for all of the info!

 

[adova]

Strike my previous post - The sense ports take care of part of the problem, but the issue is that I need info coming from Hydros to the Arduino. Here's the use case:

My plan is to set up an RODI mixing station that will be almost fully automated - adding salt as well. Even if the salt part doesn't play out (I know many have tried), it still has value. For instance, when the RODI tank moves water to the Salt Mix tank, once the Salt Mix tank is full, I want it to close the ball valve from the RODI tank and re-engage the salt mix tank recirculating flow.

To do this, I need the water sensor from Hydro to tell the Arduino to that it is full so it can close / open valves.

But, I think I have another solution: If I break down the 1-10v into 10ths or hundreds of a volt, I can set certain voltages to represent certain activity. e.g. Salt Tank High Water = 1.5v, Current Temp 2.xx volts with the .xx reflecting the actual temp.

Thoughts?

 

[n2585722]

Strike my previous post - The sense ports take care of part of the problem, but the issue is that I need info coming from Hydros to the Arduino. Here's the use case:

My plan is to set up an RODI mixing station that will be almost fully automated - adding salt as well. Even if the salt part doesn't play out (I know many have tried), it still has value. For instance, when the RODI tank moves water to the Salt Mix tank, once the Salt Mix tank is full, I want it to close the ball valve from the RODI tank and re-engage the salt mix tank recirculating flow.

To do this, I need the water sensor from Hydro to tell the Arduino to that it is full so it can close / open valves.

But, I think I have another solution: If I break down the 1-10v into 10ths or hundreds of a volt, I can set certain voltages to represent certain activity. e.g. Salt Tank High Water = 1.5v, Current Temp 2.xx volts with the .xx reflecting the actual temp.

Thoughts?

I used three containers and have a low level and a full float switch in each one. I also used NXP pressure sensors on three of 4 0-10v inputs for water level sensors that read in percent full. One is the DI reservoir and the second one is the fresh saltwater reservoir. The third is the mix tank. It is all automated except for adding the salt mix to the mix tank. I have a lot of the info in my build thread here on R2R. You can get to it by clicking on "My Tank Thread" banner in one of my post. The Hydros info starts on page 6 post #119. There is also info before that on my containers which are 20 gallon Brute cans on castors and are kept under my work bench in my garage. I also control the RODI filter with my Hydros collective which now contains 15 controllers. Half of them are in the garage. The rest are at the tank which is 35ft from the garage. So the Hydros will auto fill the DI reservoir when it goes low from the RODI filter. The Fresh saltwater reservoir is refilled from the mix tank if the contents of the mix tank is ready to use. once the contents of the mix tank has been transferred to the fresh saltwater reservoir the mix tank is refilled from the RODI filter. All I have to do is add the salt mix and press a button when it is ready for use. The 4th 0-10v input is used on my button boxes. I have 3 of them. One has the mix ready button and also a bench light on button. It is mounted on the work bench above the mix tank. The second one has a fresh saltwater dispense button and a AWC halt switch. The AWC halt switch also kills all the other buttons also. This one is mounted to the work bench above the fresh saltwater reservoir. Then the third is mounted above the DI reservoir on the work bench and has a DI dispense button. The dispense buttons turn on the appropriate pumps to dispense either DI or fresh saltwater into containers when I need some of either. The pump output tubes also have a manual shutoff valve also since the do drop below the level in a full reservoir and also there is a delay between the pump shutting off and when the button is released. There is also a delay for the pump to start once the button is pressed. I also have my ATO pump and both the drain and fill pumps for my AWC in the garage also.

 

[adova]

Sounds like we are on similar paths. I just want to include the electronic ball valves to change routes in the plumbing as well. Those would be tougher since they are 3 wire controls. Possible with a bunch of Drive port, I suppose. My "buttons" are going to be part of the Arduino setup with a 4" touchscreen for input and feedback.