I Built an open-source LED controller and app from scratch

[oldrev]

So, I created an Aquarium Sensor module, to rival APEX. But I never thought I could really create a light that would actually be good. But you may have!!! I would love to pair this with my ESP32 powered Aquarium Controller, the AquaPi. This can close the gap!

Imagine an aquarium FULLY open-sourced, FULLY automated and controlled by Home Assistant, monitored by AquaPi and given life with a light like this? Lemme know if you're interested.

I also want to create automated feeders, but they are sooooo cheap nowadays that anything I can make won't be anywhere near the price of the mass-produced ones, but maybe WE could?

AquaPi - An open-souce Aquarium Controller

Been running for almost a year with no real issues. I just put up my second board in order to run more atlas pumps (I'm up to 8 now). The only issue I've had is with the atlas probes. I got the pH and conductivity probes, and they've both been pretty awful. I've never gotten either to calibrate...

www.reef2reef.com

I haven't used Home Assistant myself, but I believe it should be very easy to integrate with Home Assistant using the open-source Python client library that already exists in my project (https://github.com/borneo-iot/borneo/tree/master/borneopy). What's currently missing is the documentation.

As for the feeder, products that require custom molds are generally hard to compete on price with existing products until you hit a certain production scale.

 

[CapitalCityAquatics]

I haven't used Home Assistant myself, but I believe it should be very easy to integrate with Home Assistant using the open-source Python client library that already exists in my project (https://github.com/borneo-iot/borneo/tree/master/borneopy). What's currently missing is the documentation.

As for the feeder, products that require custom molds are generally hard to compete on price with existing products until you hit a certain production scale.

ok, maybe I can help with the HA integration. I think you're a bit more skilled at this, but I can see what I can do. I'll look into it.

People thought 3D printing would rival traditional manufacturing. One thing they never considered, the amount of time it takes to make it. That is significantly longer than anything that is made with molds....

 

[CapitalCityAquatics]

I haven't used Home Assistant myself, but I believe it should be very easy to integrate with Home Assistant using the open-source Python client library that already exists in my project (https://github.com/borneo-iot/borneo/tree/master/borneopy). What's currently missing is the documentation.

As for the feeder, products that require custom molds are generally hard to compete on price with existing products until you hit a certain production scale.

Does this project incorporate a Real Time Clock or RTC chip? I like smart lights, but some of them do not have RTC circuits so when they loose power in a brown out, their time resets to midnight, throwing off the schedule (I'm looking at you Fluval). I told myself if I even build a light, include an RTC so this is no longer an issue

 

[oldrev]

New feature:

I'm currently polishing the app's moonlight mode:

 

[js-3Design]

This is so awesome.

Already got it running and making a 4 channel small 15w light for my picos

Ive also ordered imitation orphek lightbars a while back from alibabba with a wifi controller. Im also going to add a seed controller running this software in that controller.

Thank you for this project. This is exactly what i was looking for!

 

[oldrev]

This is so awesome.

Already got it running and making a 4 channel small 15w light for my picos

Ive also ordered imitation orphek lightbars a while back from alibabba with a wifi controller. Im also going to add a seed controller running this software in that controller.

Thank you for this project. This is exactly what i was looking for!

Any chance you could share some related photos and allow me use them as examples?

Thank you very much!

 

[js-3Design]

I only have it running in a test setup rightnow. I'm waiting on parts. I also don't have the right coolingblock yet(50x50mm).
I'm using a simple D4184 mosfet to switch 12v (times 4) . I'm also waiting on a logic level converter to arrive to turn the esp's 3.3v into 5v to switch the 12v mosfet. it's mostly made of parts I had laying arround.
I'm making 2 of these. one for my 2 gallon pico reef Jar and 1 for my 1 gallon pico foodcontainer reef. When I have it finnished i'm starting a thread to show How I made it in hope I can give other reefers some inspiration:) I'm surely going to tag you in there, offcourse you can use all images provided.

It's working really well.
Installing the firmware, app and finding the controller in the app and setting up WIFI credentials was almost to easy haha. When I turn it of and on again I can find it in the app within 10 seconds. It's really well done.

When your products are for sale i'm surely going to buy a few for futere projects.

 

[oldrev]

Progress update:

I borrowed a MacBook from a friend, and it looks like this app runs well on iOS.

I have registered as an Apple developer, and now I'm looking for testers. If you're interested, please DM me, thanks in advance.

 

[caddnima]

Finally finished reading this thread. Wow. What an amazing contribution to the community. I salute you. Thank you for sharing.

 

[js-3Design]

awesome that the IOS app is running well, I use android but IOS is the bigger market! and the more people willing to use this, the better it gets:)

I did run a few more tests today, was tinkering with the LED setup.
I settled for: (3watt LED's 120degree lenses)
2 10k white
2 440nM deep blue
2 Ice blue (something like 470nm)
2 395nm UV

this makes 24watts led.

Link to LEDS:

https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/32714835860.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.104.d9c179d23OiPDO&gatewayAdapt

I'm not adding the electronics to the LED fixture, this makes the fixture smaller and this way I can leave the electronics in a bigger foodprint.


Don't mind the cables, its just a test.



Tomorrow im disconnecting everything and then im glueing the LEDs to the Heatblock.
then im wiring everything nicely.
I'm also covering the LEDs and cables in a elektronics silicon to waterproof it.

 

[oldrev]

awesome that the IOS app is running well, I use android but IOS is the bigger market! and the more people willing to use this, the better it gets:)

I did run a few more tests today, was tinkering with the LED setup.
I settled for: (3watt LED's 120degree lenses)
2 10k white
2 440nM deep blue
2 Ice blue (something like 470nm)
2 395nm UV

this makes 24watts led.

Link to LEDS:

https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/32714835860.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.104.d9c179d23OiPDO&gatewayAdapt

I'm not adding the electronics to the LED fixture, this makes the fixture smaller and this way I can leave the electronics in a bigger foodprint.


Don't mind the cables, its just a test.



Tomorrow im disconnecting everything and then im glueing the LEDs to the Heatblock.
then im wiring everything nicely.
I'm also covering the LEDs and cables in a elektronics silicon to waterproof it.

Thank you very much. Could you please show us more details about the controller?

 

[oldrev]

Peripheral devices:

 

[js-3Design]

What

Thank you very much. Could you please show us more details about the controller?

Do you mean?

I used a seeed xiao controller?
I used some mosfets to power the leds but was losing to much power over the resistors.
So now i ordered led drivers based on the pt4115 driver.
This should be way more efficient.
Im using mosfets on led pwm channel 5 that im going to use for the fan.
This way i can set the fan are different speeds at different times. Since the seeed doesnt support a thermisistor.

What led drivers are your lights based on?

 

[oldrev]

What

Do you mean?

I used a seeed xiao controller?
I used some mosfets to power the leds but was losing to much power over the resistors.
So now i ordered led drivers based on the pt4115 driver.
This should be way more efficient.
Im using mosfets on led pwm channel 5 that im going to use for the fan.
This way i can set the fan are different speeds at different times. Since the seeed doesnt support a thermisistor.

What led drivers are your lights based on?

PT4115 is good enough for your setup.

You don't have to use the LED PWM channel to control the fan, there is a dedicated PWM fan pin on `D7`.

 

[js-3Design]

PT4115 is good enough for your setup.

You don't have to use the LED PWM channel to control the fan, there is a dedicated PWM fan pin on `D7`.

True. But with d7 i cant set fan (speed) at specific times.
I only want the fan to run when its necessary:) the Xiao doesnt support a thermisistor.

 

[oldrev]

I don't recommend using constant voltage method to drive the reef light, but if you really want to do so, here is how.

 

[Marcelo Bertalha]

Estou acompanhando daqui do Brasil, parabéns!
I'm following along here from Brazil, congratulations!

 

[oldrev]

Update: First iOS Public Beta is live!

You can now join the public testing via TestFlight here:

TestFlight - Apple

Using TestFlight is a great way to help developers test beta versions of their apps.

testflight.apple.com

Looking forward to your feedback and thank you very much for your time!

 

[js-3Design]

What is the pwm frequency for the led channels?

 

[oldrev]

What is the pwm frequency for the led channels?

19kHz