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

[pickupman66]

Is this what I think it is? A DA ReefKeeper DCI?

Correct me if I am wrong but DCi module works with the APC module.

DCI control the power source of the pump but I think the APC module is the one controlling the signal to the pump.

If you figure out how to make it work with pi, please share. I have Jebao PP8 pump that I need control over. I will look at my RKM-APC/DCI module to see what s in there.

I am kind of done with messing around with DA module though. I fried my pi. It wont boot anymore. :-(

Yes. I am trying to get the pi to fire a wp40 now by using a pca9685. Problem is j am now thinking they want an analog signal and we dont have that. I took my DCI apart to see exactly what it did.

 

[Ranjib]

Yes. I am trying to get the pi to fire a wp40 now by using a pca9685. Problem is j am now thinking they want an analog signal and we dont have that. I took my DCI apart to see exactly what it did.

So, the pca9685 generated 5V pwm and 24V power source didn't work? Did you connect all the grounds together?

 

[LionHeart2017]

Is there a document documenting all pins on the raspberry to the different connections to be used or is it dependant on what you use the build for?

Was thinking if there isn't it might be good idea to have a all in one document on the pins and there uses in reef-pi.

I ask because I want to work out an input output panel of connections to build it into one 40 pin header on its own pcb

 

[Ranjib]

Is there a document documenting all pins on the raspberry to the different connections to be used or is it dependant on what you use the build for?

Was thinking if there isn't it might be good idea to have a all in one document on the pins and there uses in reef-pi.

I ask because I want to work out an input output panel of connections to build it into one 40 pin header on its own pcb

I have this in the website (at the end) https://reef-pi.github.io/guides/electronics/
But we dont force any specific layout, other than calling out that i2c pins (sda/scl), 1-wire pin (GPIO 4) and pwm pin (GPIO 18/19) probably better left off... rest is all used for inlet/outlet

 

[LionHeart2017]

I have this in the website (at the end) https://reef-pi.github.io/guides/electronics/
But we dont force any specific layout, other than calling out that i2c pins (sda/scl), 1-wire pin (GPIO 4) and pwm pin (GPIO 18/19) probably better left off... rest is all used for inlet/outlet

Perfect Ranjib, thankyou

 

[Mwdsonny]

I recommend also connecting the enable pin to the Pi. Stepper drivers will hold their position actively when not given any step signals (this is normally what you want if you use steppers for motion control), but you're burning a lot of power in the motor, and the pump doesn't require holding position for the majority of the time. You can probably just use one enable line, and enable the pumps as a bank, to conserve GPIO.

That makes sense. So it uses 1 extra gpio. but should be very doable.

 

[pickupman66]

So, the pca9685 generated 5V pwm and 24V power source didn't work? Did you connect all the grounds together?

No. Not getting a voltage from the pca9685. I have more work to do on programming it.

 

[Ranjib]

No. Not getting a voltage from the pca9685. I have more work to do on programming it.

Thats weird. PCA9685 should always generate 5V PWM signal

 

[Ranjib]

I have been running few load tests with my test builds, connected to actual relays , temperature sensors etc.. I am OK with the results, here is an example dashboard of a build that has two temp sensor, one ADJ power strip, two ATO. Temperature controllers and ATOs are all dialed at 5 seconds interval. I have couple of timers also running wave maker and 30s alternate, and a light powered by pi's pwm. The build's CPU utilization is around 40-60%. Its powered by pi zero, and does not run GUI/VNC etc. I think this is very close to limits of pi zero. May be another power strip and one more temperature controller/ATO, or couple of lights and pi zero will show serious perf issues. Again, this is when running at 2-5s interval. If you are running them 30s interval, things would be lot less CPU intensive,

 

[LionHeart2017]

I have been running few load tests with my test builds, connected to actual relays , temperature sensors etc.. I am OK with the results, here is an example dashboard of a build that has two temp sensor, one ADJ power strip, two ATO. Temperature controllers and ATOs are all dialed at 5 seconds interval. I have couple of timers also running wave maker and 30s alternate, and a light powered by pi's pwm. The build's CPU utilization is around 40-60%. Its powered by pi zero, and does not run GUI/VNC etc. I think this is very close to limits of pi zero. May be another power strip and one more temperature controller/ATO, or couple of lights and pi zero will show serious perf issues. Again, this is when running at 2-5s interval. If you are running them 30s interval, things would be lot less CPU intensive,

That's really good for such a low cost board[emoji106]

 

[Diamond1]

I'm having a major brain fart. I'm trying to set up a new pi 3 and can't remember how to add this file
dtoverlay=pwm-2chan to the /boot/config.txt

 

[Ranjib]

I'm having a major brain fart. I'm trying to set up a new pi 3 and can't remember how to add this file
dtoverlay=pwm-2chan to the /boot/config.txt

Edit the file with vi or nano or some other text editor you are comfortable with

 

[Diamond1]

Edit the file with vi or nano or some other text editor you are comfortable with

I'm using nano just can't remember where the file is I need to change and how to get there

 

[Ranjib]

That's really good for such a low cost board[emoji106]

Yes. This is a good data , as we are planning to recommend the base board (that theatrus is making) with pi zero, targeted for a pico tank, I think it will be useful to be aware of some benchmarks

 

[Ranjib]

I'm using nano just can't remember where the file is I need to change and how to get there

nano /boot/config.txt , you can change anywhere in the file as long as it’s a separate line

 

[Diamond1]

nano /boot/config.txt , you can change anywhere in the file as long as it’s a separate line

Thank you. I was just going to nano then typing in /boot/config.txt Not both together.

 

[theatrus]

I’m thinking along the lines of the Atmel SAMD21 series

Why?

Cheap
Good peripherals
Not archaic
Already used by the Arduino Zero and Circuit Playground Express (you can run MicroPython on the big one!)
I was already use the SAMD10/11 on the Pico board for pH and system watchdog :)

It’s not a DIP package and not 5V I/O as the main downsides. But someone could reprogram a CircuitPlaygroundExpress or Arduino Zero as the controller.

Self reply, but I'm thinking about the I/O modules still as I look at what I'm exposing on the ReefPi. Thoughts?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reef-pi-base-boards.499890/page-2#post-5394485

 

[Mwdsonny]

I'm having a major brain fart. I'm trying to set up a new pi 3 and can't remember how to add this file
dtoverlay=pwm-2chan to the /boot/config.txt

type sudo nano /boot/config.txt

 

[Mwdsonny]

Yes. This is a good data , as we are planning to recommend the base board (that theatrus is making) with pi zero, targeted for a pico tank, I think it will be useful to be aware of some benchmarks

where can I read abouth the baseboard?

 

[Diamond1]

where can I read abouth the baseboard?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reef-pi-base-boards.499890/page-2#post-5394485