reef-pi :: An opensource reef tank controller based on Raspberry Pi.

[jcmental]

Ok just a quick update on control of the Viparspectra black box lights. I Found that inside the power box is as previously said is a 4 pin socket (see pic) for pin lay out. It turns out that if you link the 12V on and the on/ off Gnd the unit powers up. So I have tested this using an SSR run from the equipment timer of the reef pi program. I also made the voltage amplifier the Ranjib posted and supplied it via a voltage regulator 12V > 10V . I connected the PWM pin 1 from my servo control board and ran a test. and I'm happy to say it's working.
The only problem I found is if I set it to 0% intensity it goes to full brightness, this was the same as unplugging the PWM ground on my wire test yesterday. So the only way I can see of actually shutting the light off is to use a relay and set the times from that. this will mean I will have 4 wires for each channel or 8 wires in total per lighting unit. Granted they are low current so can be light weight like a lan (J45) cable and plugs.
This is a crude video just to help with my findings

 

[Ranjib]

Ok just a quick update on control of the Viparspectra black box lights. I Found that inside the power box is as previously said is a 4 pin socket (see pic) for pin lay out. It turns out that if you link the 12V on and the on/ off Gnd the unit powers up. So I have tested this using an SSR run from the equipment timer of the reef pi program. I also made the voltage amplifier the Ranjib posted and supplied it via a voltage regulator 12V > 10V . I connected the PWM pin 1 from my servo control board and ran a test. and I'm happy to say it's working.
The only problem I found is if I set it to 0% intensity it goes to full brightness, this was the same as unplugging the PWM ground on my wire test yesterday. So the only way I can see of actually shutting the light off is to use a relay and set the times from that. this will mean I will have 4 wires for each channel or 8 wires in total per lighting unit. Granted they are low current so can be light weight like a lan (J45) cable and plugs.
This is a crude video just to help with my findings

I had mentioned about this couple of post before. Set the start value to 0. That should fix it

 

[Ranjib]

Thanks for the updates @jcmental .
Now we know at least one person has successfully control a black box with reef-pi.

We also know that all blackboxes are not same and viparspectra is perhaps one of the better ones .

 

[jcmental]

Ok just a quick update on control of the Viparspectra black box lights. I found out that

I had mentioned about this couple of post before. Set the start value to 0. That should fix it

Thanks @Ranjib, I’ve reassembled the light for now and put it back over my tank. I’m just making, worrying and screwing down all the brakeout boards ( wow look at me speaking geek)
I will have to wait until next week for the 8 pin plugs arrive then I’ll be converting all 3 of my lights and firing up the pi in anger

 

[reelss]

I would like to attempt to build a reef pi power controller. The BOM on the website lists materials for a 4 outlet power strip. I would like to at least have 12. What additional hardware do I need to get?

 

[Ranjib]

I would like to attempt to build a reef pi power controller. The BOM on the website lists materials for a 4 outlet power strip. I would like to at least have 12. What additional hardware do I need to get?

you need 12 channel relay. I have not seen any 12 channel per say, but there are 16 channel 5v relays, which will work,. You'll need 8 receptacles (each having two ac sockets) as well. Rest of the material is same. Refer this guide: https://reef-pi.github.io/build-guides/power/ , and let us know if the guide does not answer your questions

 

[reelss]

you need 12 channel relay. I have not seen any 12 channel per say, but there are 16 channel 5v relays, which will work,. You'll need 8 receptacles (each having two ac sockets) as well. Rest of the material is same. Refer this guide: https://reef-pi.github.io/build-guides/power/ , and let us know if the guide does not answer your questions

Thanks. Is this the 16 channel relay that would work?
https://www.amazon.com/SainSmart-10...17692055&sr=8-1&keywords=sainsmart+16+channel

 

[Ranjib]

Thanks. Is this the 16 channel relay that would work?
https://www.amazon.com/SainSmart-10...17692055&sr=8-1&keywords=sainsmart+16+channel

this required 12v control signal. You want something that works with 5v, like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R7E1768/
or use two 8 channel 5v relays

 

[Ryan115]

Thanks for the updates @jcmental .
Now we know at least one person has successfully control a black box with reef-pi.

We also know that all blackboxes are not same and viparspectra is perhaps one of the better ones .

Add SB Reef lights to reef-pi controlled lights. Finally got my circuit installed.
So as it turns out, these lights do not work with 0-10V analog. But, all that was needed was to remove the RC filter and everything is playing perfectly.
Also, the SB drivers On/Off pin turns the drivers off when 12V is applied. Currently I have that pin disconnected. I may wire up a new circuit later that will turn them Off/On with a transistor and a control pin from pi. That would free up one of my controlled outlets for other use.

 

[Ryan115]

@jcmental
In your video it looks like you are using either NC relays or you have NO relays and you clicked the reverse button when setting up your outlets. On the equipment tab, the labels should be green when the outlet is turned on.

 

[Ranjib]

Add SB Reef lights to reef-pi controlled lights. Finally got my circuit installed.
So as it turns out, these lights do not work with 0-10V analog. But, all that was needed was to remove the RC filter and everything is playing perfectly.
Also, the SB drivers On/Off pin turns the drivers off when 12V is applied. Currently I have that pin disconnected. I may wire up a new circuit later that will turn them Off/On with a transistor and a control pin from pi. That would free up one of my controlled outlets for other use.

This is awesome.

@saltyfilmfolks in case you are interested. I recall you had asked for sbreeflite controller

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

This is awesome.

@saltyfilmfolks in case you are interested. I recall you had asked for sbreeflite controller

Add SB Reef lights to reef-pi controlled lights. Finally got my circuit installed.
So as it turns out, these lights do not work with 0-10V analog. But, all that was needed was to remove the RC filter and everything is playing perfectly.
Also, the SB drivers On/Off pin turns the drivers off when 12V is applied. Currently I have that pin disconnected. I may wire up a new circuit later that will turn them Off/On with a transistor and a control pin from pi. That would free up one of my controlled outlets for other use.

AHHHHH!!!!!!
GENIUS!!!!!

Most are reccomnding a relay for the on off. But, I’m NOT the genius.

 

[Ranjib]

AHHHHH!!!!!!
GENIUS!!!!!

Most are reccomnding a relay for the on off. But, I’m NOT the genius.

Nah, you don’t need a relay, a normal npn transistor will do. You need a relay if the on/off circuit involve switching 110v ac. I am assuming this is 12v dc

 

[jcmental]

@jcmental
In your video it looks like you are using either NC relays or you have NO relays and you clicked the reverse button when setting up your outlets. On the equipment tab, the labels should be green when the outlet is turned on.

Hey @Ryan115
Yep I set all the outputs to reverse when I first added them, I wasn't sure if it was only needed when you add the PNP transistor board as I was going to use a 12V relay board but I fitted 2 x 5v SSR boards I will change it but for test purposes it did what I was wanting. Good to see your on the ball though, Thanks ;-)

 

[ThorEp]

I am a little lost on some of the guides. The drawings show resistor but not what kind of resistor

 

[jcmental]

I had mentioned about this couple of post before. Set the start value to 0. That should fix it

Hi @Ranjib
I did set it to various start values, it looks like the way the light works is if it doesn't see over 1% voltage it goes to full brightness, So I set the minimum to 2 and the start to 2, that meant I could slid the slider all the way down and the light would go to it's dimmest.

 

[Ranjib]

I am a little lost on some of the guides. The drawings show resistor but not what kind of resistor

All guides use carbon film resistors. The main bill of materials has a resistor pack link from amazon. Which guide you are referring?

 

[Gareth elliott]

Free time today so attempting to see if a cheap chip like this will actually give reliable results to a raspberry pi. If does will buy a better probe to attach. If fails will try a leonardo based option next. Using Sparkwidgets.com

Have turned i2c on, on my raspberry pi. Im not using any pwm so this isnt an issue for me.

Code im using is from audrino forum, not a programmer, can build a website on my own about it lol.

Pin lay out from side with pots, how this chip is calibrated.

V+ power source
G power source ground
G probe ground, do not ground to power source.
Po ph out
Do out temp 1
To temp 2

Using normal size bread board and r/0, Hno3 .1 , C6H8O7.1, saturated CaCO3, and NSW as the test solutions. And a usb power supply.

Test 1: any signal from probe to pi
Test 2: follow manufacturing steps to to calibrate using each of the above mentioned, solutions.
Test 3: test noise susceptibility by constant monitoring of single solution over extended time.
Test 4: actual aquarium test, for noise levels in an active system.

Minus the chemicals, already had.
Cost at $32 so far.

 

[Ranjib]

Free time today so attempting to see if a cheap chip like this will actually give reliable results to a raspberry pi. If does will buy a better probe to attach. If fails will try a leonardo based option next. Using Sparkwidgets.com

Have turned i2c on, on my raspberry pi. Im not using any pwm so this isnt an issue for me.

Code im using is from audrino forum, not a programmer, can build a website on my own about it lol.

Pin lay out from side with pots, how this chip is calibrated.

V+ power source
G power source ground
G probe ground, do not ground to power source.
Po ph out
Do out temp 1
To temp 2

Using normal size bread board and r/0, Hno3 .1 , C6H8O7.1, saturated CaCO3, and NSW as the test solutions. And a usb power supply.

Test 1: any signal from probe to pi
Test 2: follow manufacturing steps to to calibrate using each of the above mentioned, solutions.
Test 3: test noise susceptibility by constant monitoring of single solution over extended time.
Test 4: actual aquarium test, for noise levels in an active system.

Minus the chemicals, already had.
Cost at $32 so far.

This is awesome. You have a link for the kit ? I want to check out the specs.

I2c devices are chainable, so this should not impact the pwm chip anyway. You can daisy chain this probe from pca9685 i2c pins , if needed
Keep us posted if this worked ,

 

[Gareth elliott]

This is awesome. You have a link for the kit ? I want to check out the specs.

I2c devices are chainable, so this should not impact the pwm chip anyway. You can daisy chain this probe from pca9685 i2c pins , if needed
Keep us posted if this worked ,

Chip is ph4502c
Purchased off eBay, pretty much all the kits are the same i picked the black probe just because.

Also ordered probe storage solution from marinedepot.com for when not in use.