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

[b4tn]

Can you check with multimeter that outlet on/off working as expected on the connector pins in the relay (i.e. you are getting 12v or on at the other end of the connector wire, right at the junction of the relay)?
Next check if the relay works with everything else unplugged .

I think I figured it out. The relay power has 12 volts, the input gets a solid 3.3 volts and the relay LED lights up but does not click on. The voltage does not drop. It works the same both with everything plugged in and working on its own everything unplugged. However, if I put the relay input to 12 or 5 volts it clicks. If I swap the jumper to low level and bring the input to ground it clicks. Direct to the 3.3v rail and it just lights the Led. I need to find the specs but looks like the relays I got don’t activate below 5 volts

 

[Ranjib]

I think I figured it out. The relay power has 12 volts, the input gets a solid 3.3 volts and the relay LED lights up but does not click on. The voltage does not drop. It works the same both with everything plugged in and working on its own everything unplugged. However, if I put the relay input to 12 or 5 volts it clicks. If I swap the jumper to low level and bring the input to ground it clicks. Direct to the 3.3v rail and it just lights the Led. I need to find the specs but looks like the relays I got don’t activate below 5 volts

Use a npn transistor , exactly same as the Kessil controller circuit

 

[LionHeart2017]

I think I figured it out. The relay power has 12 volts, the input gets a solid 3.3 volts and the relay LED lights up but does not click on. The voltage does not drop. It works the same both with everything plugged in and working on its own everything unplugged. However, if I put the relay input to 12 or 5 volts it clicks. If I swap the jumper to low level and bring the input to ground it clicks. Direct to the 3.3v rail and it just lights the Led. I need to find the specs but looks like the relays I got don’t activate below 5 volts

Yeah you want to use the low level and it should work, in reef-pi you may need to use the reverse setting in the connector settings setup

 

[Ranjib]

...and now for my next trick... hacking an eheim feeder to run off reef-pi! :D

Keep us posted on how this goes

 

[buddy.]

...and now for my next trick... hacking an eheim feeder to run off reef-pi! :D

Nice one! I have one of these laying around and it would be awesome for reef-pi!

 

[Ranjib]

Imagitarium 3.7g, one of my pico

 

[Dave's Reef]

So tonight (more like morning 2am) I start er d getting temp failed texts. I went down and checked my pi my internet must have reset and I got a new IP address so I logged back into the pi and everything is fine and I'm still getting temp failed texts? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Ranjib]

So tonight (more like morning 2am) I start er d getting temp failed texts. I went down and checked my pi my internet must have reset and I got a new IP address so I logged back into the pi and everything is fine and I'm still getting temp failed texts? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Do you see the temp probe in your temp controller ? If it’s a false alarm disable alert for the time being till you sort it out

 

[Dave's Reef]

Do you see the temp probe in your temp controller ? If it’s a false alarm disable alert for the time being till you sort it out

Yeah I see the temp and everything seems to be working fine I have 3 temps I held the air temp in my hand and it works. Part of my issue may be power supply I have been getting the lightning bolt more and more often now I swapped it out to see it this helps.

 

[Ryan115]

...and now for my next trick... hacking an eheim feeder to run off reef-pi! :D

Funny you mention that, I was starting down that same line this weekend.
I know I had the specs in hand to do it with an old arduino based controller, but I need to find them again.

I did start the design of a 3D printed auto feeder that would use a screw drive and a stepper motor. This would allow much more precise control of feed amount and could be changed easily rather than messing with the little door on the Eheim.

Early Concept

 

[ScottBrew]

Funny you mention that, I was starting down that same line this weekend.
I know I had the specs in hand to do it with an old arduino based controller, but I need to find them again.

I did start the design of a 3D printed auto feeder that would use a screw drive and a stepper motor. This would allow much more precise control of feed amount and could be changed easily rather than messing with the little door on the Eheim.

Early Concept

Nice! Auger drive.

 

[ScottBrew]

Keep us posted on how this goes

I will, just need to tag onto the manual feed buttons and run them through a relay. I'm sure there are more elegant ways, but... Can we port macros to be run by a timer?

Nice one! I have one of these laying around and it would be awesome for reef-pi!

Looks like it should be easy enough. Think it will be powered with an LM2596 and have the reef-pi "press" the manual feed buttons.

 

[ScottBrew]

@Ryan115 Thinking of an auger drive system, the auger doesn't even need to be inside the drum, just feeding from it. Could have the auger and stepper mounted beside the drum at the bottom at a 45* angle to feed over the side into the tank.Keeps the drum from accidentally getting dropped into the tank. Just my $.02

 

[b4tn]

What really funny was I was just looking at my eheim auto feeder yesterday thinking hmmmm :)

 

[Ranjib]

I will, just need to tag onto the manual feed buttons and run them through a relay. I'm sure there are more elegant ways, but... Can we port macros to be run by a timer?


Looks like it should be easy enough. Think it will be powered with an LM2596 and have the reef-pi "press" the manual feed buttons.

This will take some time, but we’ll definitely get it done (timer control via macro)

 

[b4tn]

Use a npn transistor , exactly same as the Kessil controller circuit

I was thinking the same exact same thing. My only question is that most diagrams have a 1k resistor on the base, emitter goes to ground, and the collector directly drives the relay grounding it when signaled. Is the resistor on the collector the way you are using it for a pull up if I wanted to trigger the relay with a positive 12 volts?

I feel super guilty still for some reason. I just ordered $2 in transistors and ULN2803's on arrow with free overnight shipping lol

 

[Ranjib]

I was thinking the same exact same thing. My only question is that most diagrams have a 1k resistor on the base, emitter goes to ground, and the collector directly drives the relay grounding it when signaled. Is the resistor on the collector the way you are using it for a pull up if I wanted to trigger the relay with a positive 12 volts?

I feel super guilty still for some reason. I just ordered $2 in transistors and ULN2803's on arrow with free overnight shipping lol

Those resistors are really for safety . You can skip most of them for prototyping . When you are using them with transistor first rule is to use bigger resistor on the base than emitter . I think it’s also best practice to add flyback Diode etc. these safety circuits vary based on load types .

you should be fine with just resistor on the base

 

[b4tn]

Those resistors are really for safety . You can skip most of them for prototyping . When you are using them with transistor first rule is to use bigger resistor on the base than emitter . I think it’s also best practice to add flyback Diode etc. these safety circuits vary based on load types .

you should be fine with just resistor on the base

Thanks, the flyback diode is built into the relay shield so I "should" be good. If I was paying attention when I got the relays I would have gotten ones that could be triggered with 3.3v. But at $4 for two it was a good deal.

 

[speedstar]

Thanks, the flyback diode is built into the relay shield so I "should" be good. If I was paying attention when I got the relays I would have gotten ones that could be triggered with 3.3v. But at $4 for two it was a good deal.

Saw flyback thought high voltage. Does anyone else experiment with HV projects. My current tesla coil drsstc, wil get about 40inch streamers.

prob more of lounge thing let me know if it should be deleted.

 

[b4tn]

Saw flyback thought high voltage. Does anyone else experiment with HV projects. My current tesla coil drsstc, wil get about 40inch streamers.

prob more of lounge thing let me know if it should be deleted.

You know its funny, I have a shooting range at work, been in and around the military for 25 years and I still jump when I hear gunfire. I jump when my relay clicks on my circuit even when I am expecting it. I think if that happened my head would be in the roof lol. Thats pretty cool though.