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

[Ranjib]

After doing some wire management I was having trouble stabilizing the Float Switch signal after reconnecting. There was some bouncing going on with the switches it seemed that would keep the switches always on, so I've added a software time mechanism to clear that up. I've also changed to having a python script for each float switch to keep things clean and easy. So a script for ATOfloat1.py, ATOfloat2.py, ATOfloat3.py, etc. Then add the scripts to rc.local again to start on boot. The new scripts look like this...

#ATOfloat1.py

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import time

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)

GPIO.setup(21, GPIO.IN, pull_up_down=GPIO.PUD_UP)

while True:
    input_state = GPIO.input(21)
    if input_state == False:
        print ('ATOtank Fill')
        time.sleep(10)

In the code example there the float is connected to GPIO 21. Also there's a print command to see if it's working in the terminal. Hope this helps if anyone has issues where everything looks like it should be working, but the switches just wont turn off due to bouncing.

I am curious if something like a schmitt trigger will work in this type of scenarios.

 

[PaulJ2303]

Hi,
I've just gone ahead and bought a raspberry-Pi 3b+ and installed Reef-pi on it.
it went really well :) i can now sit the pi across the room and connect to it via WiFi from my PC using putty and VNC on the same local network ... it's all good.
I can also access the reef-pi web UI from my PC whilst on the same local network ... it looks great :)

I only have one real issue right now if anyone could help ?
Although i can connect to reef pi's Web UI using my PC I cant seem to be able to connect to it using my phone ? .... (i am on the same local network (wifi) when i try all of this )

also on a similar vein how do i set up email alerts ?

thanks for any help you guys can be with this

 

[PaulJ2303]

Although i can connect to reef pi's Web UI using my PC I cant seem to be able to connect to it using my phone ? .... (i am on the same local network (wifi) when i try all of this )

It's ok I've answered my own question ... for some reason my phone didn't like Reef-pi having a host name ... it connected fine once i reverted back to using an IP address :)

 

[Bigtrout]

It's ok I've answered my own question ... for some reason my phone didn't like Reef-pi having a host name ... it connected fine once i reverted back to using an IP address :)

With my previous and new android phones i can always connect thru the IP address. For some reason my androids dont like the .local after the name so if i type 75gallon.local it does not work. If i just type 75gallon it lets me connect.

 

[GTM42]

Wow what an awesome project, have you thought about selling them? Might be interested if the price is right to get one for my nano. I currently have an apex classic on my 150 gallon tank and would love to compare.

 

[PaulJ2303]

if i type 75gallon.local it does not work. If i just type 75gallon it lets me connect.

ah that's interesting i'll try that when i get home.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Reef-pi has been up for over a month. How much RAM should it cap out at? I've been holding out on rebooting, just to see if it would ever level off, and it hasn't.

 

[bishoptf]

Reef-pi has been up for over a month. How much RAM should it cap out at? I've been holding out on rebooting, just to see if it would ever level off, and it hasn't.

@DirtDiggler2823 which version of software are you currently running, and if running 2.2 what are your logging settings. Once I upgraded to 2.2 I have not seen the memory issue, I even increased from the default recommendations that @Ranjib had stated and my memory is pretty flat. Although you may have more components etc that you are controlling.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

@DirtDiggler2823 which version of software are you currently running, and if running 2.2 what are your logging settings. Once I upgraded to 2.2 I have not seen the memory issue, I even increased from the default recommendations that @Ranjib had stated and my memory is pretty flat. Although you may have more components etc that you are controlling.

I'm not controlling all that much. Only 1 timer running for the fuge light. I am running 2.2, and I left the logging at the default settings.

 

[Ranjib]

Wow what an awesome project, have you thought about selling them? Might be interested if the price is right to get one for my nano. I currently have an apex classic on my 150 gallon tank and would love to compare.

I (author of reef-pi) don’t sell anything (other than the idea that we can build an open source controller together :) ). But blueacro does sell an premade board (you have to still attach a pi and install reef-pi in it) , and couple of other folks (Michael lane and Wykat ) have pi hats that reduces the amount of soldering work required , check out this page :https://reef-pi.github.io/additional-documentation/resources/

 

[bishoptf]

I'm not controlling all that much. Only 1 timer running for the fuge light. I am running 2.2, and I left the logging at the default settings.

That's interesting since I am running 2.2and my memory is pretty flat, I'm remote but can do a screenshot when I get home this evening. The other thing that I can think about is which raspbian version are you running on, I'm running on raspbian lite headless with no additional packages. If you are running the desktop version there may be additional proccesses that are consuming memory, just trying to think what else may be different. I'm running 3 temp probes, lighting via rpi pwm, and a 6 equipment outlets.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

That's interesting since I am running 2.2and my memory is pretty flat, I'm remote but can do a screenshot when I get home this evening. The other thing that I can think about is which raspbian version are you running on, I'm running on raspbian lite headless with no additional packages. If you are running the desktop version there may be additional proccesses that are consuming memory, just trying to think what else may be different. I'm running 3 temp probes, lighting via rpi pwm, and a 6 equipment outlets.

Single temp probe. ATO pump and float senor. I remember updating raspbian within the last 6 months, but I don't believe I'm running the full version. I'll have to check.

 

[trackerit]

ML reef-pi hat v2,
I could not buy it, unfortunately the store does not send to freight forwardes, Unfortunately we are not able to ship to Freight Forwarders and needed to cancel and refund your recent order. To clarify, we are not able to ship to Freight Forwarders, P.O. Boxes, hotels, or Package Lockers. The shipping address does need to be a residential or business address. If you have an alternate residential or business address you can use, feel free to place another order.

 

[stefanm]

ML reef-pi hat v2,
I could not buy it, unfortunately the store does not send to freight forwardes, Unfortunately we are not able to ship to Freight Forwarders and needed to cancel and refund your recent order. To clarify, we are not able to ship to Freight Forwarders, P.O. Boxes, hotels, or Package Lockers. The shipping address does need to be a residential or business address. If you have an alternate residential or business address you can use, feel free to place another order.

So ship to your own address...

 

[trackerit]

the problem that I had with the native pwm of rpi was already in the bugs of the 2.3 according to
https://github.com/reef-pi/reef-pi/issues/760

 

[bishoptf]

Reef-pi has been up for over a month. How much RAM should it cap out at? I've been holding out on rebooting, just to see if it would ever level off, and it hasn't.

@DirtDiggler2823 here is my screenshot, it's only been 4 days since I had to rebuild due to the last upgrade, but mine stays pretty level...

Here are my telemetry settings:

 

[Bzar]

I am curious if something like a schmitt trigger will work in this type of scenarios.

I believe it could. There's some other potential hardware solutions to get rid bouncing. I didn't have any of that hardware to try, and the Pi does it anyway, so figured it was worth a try :)

 

[phasezero]

A prototype circuit was build , to convert pi gpio (3.3v) output to relays required input (12v) using a uln2803a (because I had it, else I would use uln2003)

Everything worked as expected :) . I’ll be changing my circuit to use uln2003 and adafruit perma proto board . But I am delighted to get this working. I can finally stop thinking about this topic . I wanted you I get this sorted before maker faire , so this can be part of then exhibit

I have the exact same concerns as you when it comes to safety. I don’t currently have a raspberry setup at all but I’m pretty much convinced I want to set one up using that adj 8ch relay. Can you explain with a little more detail your prototype circuit for converting the 3.3v to 12v. Is that accomplished with a transistor?.

 

[Mikeneedsahobby]

- Not sure why the millivolt reading is in negative, wrong byte read or something else..
- Also the trend is opposite. That time of the day , pH tend to go down.. I am not sure this is calibration will fix. We'll see. Can be bad probe . I am using american marine pin point probes ..bought from Amazon

Is there anything we can do to help? I could buy a probe, plug it into my pico board and watch what the millivolts do. I could manually confirm ph and match it to points of time from the probe.

 

[Ranjib]

Is there anything we can do to help? I could buy a probe, plug it into my pico board and watch what the millivolts do. I could manually confirm ph and match it to points of time from the probe.

That will be awesome , I’m seeing i2c error on the board , you could double check if you are experiencing same . I’m waiting on @theatrus to get back to me on this, as I suspect this has something to do with firmware. While I continue with the ph board