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

[Ranjib]

In my case I use NodeRed and all DB functions go to InfluxDB. Grafana pull data from InfluxDB. The NodeRed also does bunch of logic functions and is my central IoT processing engine. Having this function native at the device level will minimize the external app sprawl and management nightmare. I host all of these as containers on Docker locally. This is the only reason I've asked if this could be done at the Reef-Pi level.

I think I get it now. You are talking about your work node red controller. Reef/pi does not uses any external db like influx , uses its own embedded database called boltdb. In this way reef-pi is significantly less component compared to the stack you are using . A full reef-pi does not need any external host to store metric or visualize charts . It has all those built in, and ships as single Debian package that comes with the entire db, backend, front end . For advance use cases (like arbitrary graphs, long term retention ) reef-pi allows Prometheus integration .

 

[Ranjib]

Working on a display for the outside of my project case so I can get a quick look at some parameters.

Currently running on a raspberry pi with python. Going to convert to Arduino...

Nice :-) , keep us posted

 

[bishoptf]

Happy New year everyone! :)

I have a question that I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I have a few of the @Michael Lane boards. I have one goby that appears to have had a bad pca9685, one of the channels is stuck closed and want to replace it the pca9685 but it's surface mount and not sure I am up to the challange any one have any suggestions on how to approach would be appreciated. The other board I have is for controlling my viparspectra light, he has a board that will allow you to turn it off and on via pwm. I wish I had bought more than one and would like to have a spare or make one up, he has the data on github but not sure how to display the schematic - https://github.com/Ranthalion/viparspectra-adapter

The other question is how does one go about and get a pcb board made up, not sure the cost and how many you have to have made but just curious. If I can get the schematic I can make one up but will not be anywhere as pretty as his boards, lol.

Maybe someone else is making something similiar for the vipar lights but thought I would ask, thanks.

Found that the files are kicad and loaded it up and was able to open the schematic but now to get my head wrapped around how I would do this on a bread board, lol. Might be out of my league, anyone care to make this simple for me let me know, lol.

 

[robsworld78]

Happy New year everyone! :)

I have a question that I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I have a few of the @Michael Lane boards. I have one goby that appears to have had a bad pca9685, one of the channels is stuck closed and want to replace it the pca9685 but it's surface mount and not sure I am up to the challange any one have any suggestions on how to approach would be appreciated. The other board I have is for controlling my viparspectra light, he has a board that will allow you to turn it off and on via pwm. I wish I had bought more than one and would like to have a spare or make one up, he has the data on github but not sure how to display the schematic - https://github.com/Ranthalion/viparspectra-adapter

The other question is how does one go about and get a pcb board made up, not sure the cost and how many you have to have made but just curious. If I can get the schematic I can make one up but will not be anywhere as pretty as his boards, lol.

Maybe someone else is making something similiar for the vipar lights but thought I would ask, thanks.

Found that the files are kicad and loaded it up and was able to open the schematic but now to get my head wrapped around how I would do this on a bread board, lol. Might be out of my league, anyone care to make this simple for me let me know, lol.

It's possible I've soldered over 1,000 pca9685's, when you know what your doing they're actually not that difficult, I would prefer doing them all day then say an RJ45 connector. The key is to use really thin solder (personally I use a small bead of solder paste and hot air) so you don't get too much on it. You'll also want a fine tip for the solder iron.

You would tack one corner pin and get it nice and straight then take the opposite corner and verify all pins line up perfectly straight, this is important. Then start in the middle and touch a little solder while heating and drag the iron across and away from the IC, I think they call it drag soldering. If you look up fine pitch soldering on youtube you'll see some examples.

Removing it isn't too difficult, here's a video showing how, these come off easier as the pins are so close. Typically all the solder you add will go with the part when you push it off with the iron, then with a clean soldering tip wipe the pads clean on the board.



As for the ML adapter I've been asked a few times about it so I remade the board using Eagle (don't like Kicad) but I'm having a hard time hitting the order button as I don't feel right about it, I've been hoping he would come back with them instead. I'm not sure about the files on Github as someone mentioned they weren't accepted but maybe you can ask JLPCB or similar if they can help.

 

[bishoptf]

It's possible I've soldered over 1,000 pca9685's, when you know what your doing they're actually not that difficult, I would prefer doing them all day then say an RJ45 connector. The key is to use really thin solder (personally I use a small bead of solder paste and hot air) so you don't get too much on it. You'll also want a fine tip for the solder iron.

You would tack one corner pin and get it nice and straight then take the opposite corner and verify all pins line up perfectly straight, this is important. Then start in the middle and touch a little solder while heating and drag the iron across and away from the IC, I think they call it drag soldering. If you look up fine pitch soldering on youtube you'll see some examples.

Removing it isn't too difficult, here's a video showing how, these come off easier as the pins are so close. Typically all the solder you add will go with the part when you push it off with the iron, then with a clean soldering tip wipe the pads clean on the board.



As for the ML adapter I've been asked a few times about it so I remade the board using Eagle (don't like Kicad) but I'm having a hard time hitting the order button as I don't feel right about it, I've been hoping he would come back with them instead. I'm not sure about the files on Github as someone mentioned they weren't accepted but maybe you can ask JLPCB or similar if they can help.

Yeah pretty easy when you know what your doing, yeah it's my eyesight us older folks at least me have a harder time seeing the dang small stuff. I need to get a better setup for doing smd stuff been thinking about getting a hot air rework station for just this stuff, would make it a lot easier. Thanks for the information need to order some and see what I can do, have you ever seen one go bad like this, basically it appears to be stuck closed and will not shut off. It's a doser connection and lost power and when it return the pump stays on, tried a lot of different things and finally just replaced the board and restored software and it was fine, but that is all I can think of is that the 9685 has gone south.

I'd really like to have some spare vipar boards, I have reached out to @Michael Lane a couple of times just checking in and not have gotten any responses. Last time I talked to him sounded like things outside of reefing were taking up more of his time. Pretty sure all of his stuff on github is licensed opensource, the silkscreen on the board says opensource hardware but will look further into the files. I have uploaded them onto mypcb and was looking into getting a cost for them, heck i was even going to get a cost for them to assembly them. I have no idea what I am doing but I uploaded the gerber files and the inventory bom that he had and from the boards I have they appear to be the same ones. Will probably not hear back from them until next week but will see where it leads, I just would like to have a couple on hand for testing and backups etc. but I think there are many folks that would like to use them it removes the relay requirement from having to turn the unit off and on I am using one and they are really nice and easy to implement.

Thanks again for all of the input and let me know what you think about the boards. :)

 

[robsworld78]

Yeah pretty easy when you know what your doing, yeah it's my eyesight us older folks at least me have a harder time seeing the dang small stuff. I need to get a better setup for doing smd stuff been thinking about getting a hot air rework station for just this stuff, would make it a lot easier. Thanks for the information need to order some and see what I can do, have you ever seen one go bad like this, basically it appears to be stuck closed and will not shut off. It's a doser connection and lost power and when it return the pump stays on, tried a lot of different things and finally just replaced the board and restored software and it was fine, but that is all I can think of is that the 9685 has gone south.

I'd really like to have some spare vipar boards, I have reached out to @Michael Lane a couple of times just checking in and not have gotten any responses. Last time I talked to him sounded like things outside of reefing were taking up more of his time. Pretty sure all of his stuff on github is licensed opensource, the silkscreen on the board says opensource hardware but will look further into the files. I have uploaded them onto mypcb and was looking into getting a cost for them, heck i was even going to get a cost for them to assembly them. I have no idea what I am doing but I uploaded the gerber files and the inventory bom that he had and from the boards I have they appear to be the same ones. Will probably not hear back from them until next week but will see where it leads, I just would like to have a couple on hand for testing and backups etc. but I think there are many folks that would like to use them it removes the relay requirement from having to turn the unit off and on I am using one and they are really nice and easy to implement.

Thanks again for all of the input and let me know what you think about the boards. :)

I hear you on the eyes, mine are shot close up, most of the time I'm soldering blind. :) Something about the pca9685 that makes it easy, I've done other IC's with similar pitch but they seem harder.

I have one of these cheap hot air guns, I'm amazed at how long it has lasted and it's been used a lot with times running hours. I highly recommend, no need to spend big bucks. With that said it's still better to remove parts using that technique I showed, that's the best tip I ever learned. Never remove solder when removing anything, instead add solder.

Hot Air Gun 858D BGA Rework Solder Station Blower Hair Dryer Haurdryer Welding | eBay

Hot Air Gun 858D BGA Rework Solder Station Blower Hair Dryer Hairdryer Soldering Heat Gun 220V 110V For SMD SMT Welding Repair. Blower fan :Brushless Fan. Amount of Wind:120L/m(MAX). Temperature Range:100°-450°.

www.ebay.com

The pca9685 is quite rugged, I have very little trouble with them, I don't think I've ever seen a pin stuck on. It's sounding like you have a bad mosfet instead. I'm guessing you have similar being driven by the pca9685? Those can get stuck closed, when that happens the gate with the PWM signal will have voltage which can looks like it's coming from pca9685 but it's not. If you remove the mosfet the pin will react as expected. I would look at that first.

That adapter is nicely thought out, I guess at this point it wouldn't hurt to get some. I currently have a customer who's trying to adapt the light, he determined the signal inside the light is 0-3.3v, are you driving the adapter with the same or 0-5v? I'm hoping 0-5v PWM from your pca9685.

 

[GaryE]

I hear you on the eyes, mine are shot close up, most of the time I'm soldering blind. :) Something about the pca9685 that makes it easy, I've done other IC's with similar pitch but they seem harder.

I have one of these cheap hot air guns, I'm amazed at how long it has lasted and it's been used a lot with times running hours. I highly recommend, no need to spend big bucks. With that said it's still better to remove parts using that technique I showed, that's the best tip I ever learned. Never remove solder when removing anything, instead add solder.

Hot Air Gun 858D BGA Rework Solder Station Blower Hair Dryer Haurdryer Welding | eBay

Hot Air Gun 858D BGA Rework Solder Station Blower Hair Dryer Hairdryer Soldering Heat Gun 220V 110V For SMD SMT Welding Repair. Blower fan :Brushless Fan. Amount of Wind:120L/m(MAX). Temperature Range:100°-450°.

www.ebay.com

The pca9685 is quite rugged, I have very little trouble with them, I don't think I've ever seen a pin stuck on. It's sounding like you have a bad mosfet instead. I'm guessing you have similar being driven by the pca9685? Those can get stuck closed, when that happens the gate with the PWM signal will have voltage which can looks like it's coming from pca9685 but it's not. If you remove the mosfet the pin will react as expected. I would look at that first.

That adapter is nicely thought out, I guess at this point it wouldn't hurt to get some. I currently have a customer who's trying to adapt the light, he determined the signal inside the light is 0-3.3v, are you driving the adapter with the same or 0-5v? I'm hoping 0-5v PWM from your pca9685.

I have the exact same gun.. ;) Works great once you figure out the temps..

 

[GaryE]

Nice :) , keep us posted

a quick update. I was trying to do this all in the arduino, but it seems it's really not up to the task of slurping in all of the metrics, parsing for the right data and then spitting out the right bit.. So... I decided to write a python script to do that part and output to a file, then will have the arduino connect and FTP the files to get the data and then display it. Should be way easier on the ardiuno side that way. Then it's a matter of finding a case and figuring out how I want to power it long term.. Fun stuff!!

On the positive side, this will make the gadget portable. Will not be tied to the tank. Just will need to plug it in somewhere and instant stats!

so far, this is the python code.


import requests

URL = "http://10.167.15.10/x/metrics"
tankTemp = "tank_temp_reading"
sumpTemp = "sump_temp_reading"
boxTemp = "box_temp_reading"

def listToString(s):
#initialize an empty string

string = " "
#return string
return (string.join(s))

def getTemp(t):

from urllib.request import urlopen

response = urlopen(URL)
html = response.read()
html = html.decode()
text = html.split('\n') # split everything into lines.

for line in text:
if not line.startswith(t) :
# do nothing
pass
else :
text = line.split(' ') # split everything into lines.
text.pop(0)
temp = (listToString(text))
return temp

print(getTemp(tankTemp))
print(getTemp(sumpTemp))
print(getTemp(boxTemp))

 

[Ranjib]

I think we should just group by or let @robsworld78 or @theatrus , someone with enough experience on this to order it for us, in bulk. Say 100 of each. I’m more than happy to chip in or even pay the whole amount . I know there’s a demand for it.

 

[Ranjib]

a quick update. I was trying to do this all in the arduino, but it seems it's really not up to the task of slurping in all of the metrics, parsing for the right data and then spitting out the right bit.. So... I decided to write a python script to do that part and output to a file, then will have the arduino connect and FTP the files to get the data and then display it. Should be way easier on the ardiuno side that way. Then it's a matter of finding a case and figuring out how I want to power it long term.. Fun stuff!!

On the positive side, this will make the gadget portable. Will not be tied to the tank. Just will need to plug it in somewhere and instant stats!

so far, this is the python code.


import requests

URL = "http://10.167.15.10/x/metrics"
tankTemp = "tank_temp_reading"
sumpTemp = "sump_temp_reading"
boxTemp = "box_temp_reading"

def listToString(s):
#initialize an empty string

string = " "
#return string
return (string.join(s))

def getTemp(t):

from urllib.request import urlopen

response = urlopen(URL)
html = response.read()
html = html.decode()
text = html.split('\n') # split everything into lines.

for line in text:
if not line.startswith(t) :
# do nothing
pass
else :
text = line.split(' ') # split everything into lines.
text.pop(0)
temp = (listToString(text))
return temp

print(getTemp(tankTemp))
print(getTemp(sumpTemp))
print(getTemp(boxTemp))

Nice :-)

 

[bishoptf]

I hear you on the eyes, mine are shot close up, most of the time I'm soldering blind. :) Something about the pca9685 that makes it easy, I've done other IC's with similar pitch but they seem harder.

I have one of these cheap hot air guns, I'm amazed at how long it has lasted and it's been used a lot with times running hours. I highly recommend, no need to spend big bucks. With that said it's still better to remove parts using that technique I showed, that's the best tip I ever learned. Never remove solder when removing anything, instead add solder.

Hot Air Gun 858D BGA Rework Solder Station Blower Hair Dryer Haurdryer Welding | eBay

Hot Air Gun 858D BGA Rework Solder Station Blower Hair Dryer Hairdryer Soldering Heat Gun 220V 110V For SMD SMT Welding Repair. Blower fan :Brushless Fan. Amount of Wind:120L/m(MAX). Temperature Range:100°-450°.

www.ebay.com

The pca9685 is quite rugged, I have very little trouble with them, I don't think I've ever seen a pin stuck on. It's sounding like you have a bad mosfet instead. I'm guessing you have similar being driven by the pca9685? Those can get stuck closed, when that happens the gate with the PWM signal will have voltage which can looks like it's coming from pca9685 but it's not. If you remove the mosfet the pin will react as expected. I would look at that first.

That adapter is nicely thought out, I guess at this point it wouldn't hurt to get some. I currently have a customer who's trying to adapt the light, he determined the signal inside the light is 0-3.3v, are you driving the adapter with the same or 0-5v? I'm hoping 0-5v PWM from your pca9685.

Yeah I was looking at the 858d clones, some of them say to check the polarity of the power cable but that was the model I was looking at, so I will add it to my list. I am using a @Michael Lane goby hat and it controls the doser via PWM but you may be on to something. The doser module is a separate module that plugs into the doser port - https://www.tindie.com/products/ranthalion/dosing-pump-adapter/ that little board has a uln2803a chip on it and maybe something on that board is what went belly up versus the pca9685, that actually makes more sense. It made me wary of using the dosing via that since I just happen to be around when it happened and was able to remove it from dosing, otherwise it would not have been good outcome. I moved to BRS AC dosing pumps controlled via relay outlet since I fill like i have more control over them vs the dosing setup but now I am leary of the relays in the strips going bad, need to find a more robust relay vs the ones in the DJ housing which is what I am using.

I have a quote out at pcbway.com to see what the board will cost, the PCB are cheap but I have not priced the components but I suspect they should be pretty reasonable also but I have not gone to digikey or anywhere to price up the BOM, he has that listed on the github, it's pretty much ready to go, when I get some more information from them I will let you know what I find out. I have not ordered any PCB's before so lots to learn but if you guys have any insight into where and how to do it I'd like to learn how to do it, etc. :)

 

[Ranjib]

Hi folks,
im thinking of putting a booth in aquashella 2022, Orlando for reef-pi. It will be a nice gathering for hobbyists and fun times for the family. the booth will be mostly for information, demo , exhibit of different reef-pi modules, pre fab controllers etc. @robsworld78 @theatrus @Schreiber i am thinking of adding one of each of your products there. Let me know if it’s ok,. You are more than welcome to join me in the booth (im paying for the booth, so don’t worry about the booth fees ).

i need some help with a small colony or a single rock of coral that can fit into 8”x8” pico tank , 4G. It’ll need it for the exhibit. I’ll carry rest of equipment, but need some one local to help me out with the live stock for three days. I’ll return afterwards.
what you folks think ? ok or too much ?

 

[bishoptf]

I think we should just group by or let @robsworld78 or @theatrus , someone with enough experience on this to order it for us, in bulk. Say 100 of each. I’m more than happy to chip in or even pay the whole amount . I know there’s a demand for it.

I agree, I'd like to learn and it appears @Michael Lane has all of the files on github. I assume you agree it appeared he had it labeled as opensource hardware and I assume he would have no issues in ordering up some boards, right? I have gotten to a certain point on pcbway.com where they are going to give me a quote but will probably not see that until tomorrow etc, I will update and see if there is anything that they are still needing information wise but the gerber files loaded up and the bom calls out all the parts, typical great work by Michael as usual. :)

I'm willing to chip in and order some, I'd like to have a couple of spares to play with since I am going to have a spare vipar to swap out the leds, I wanted to have a complete unit. I will post an update once I get additional information.

 

[bishoptf]

I hear you on the eyes, mine are shot close up, most of the time I'm soldering blind. :) Something about the pca9685 that makes it easy, I've done other IC's with similar pitch but they seem harder.

I have one of these cheap hot air guns, I'm amazed at how long it has lasted and it's been used a lot with times running hours. I highly recommend, no need to spend big bucks. With that said it's still better to remove parts using that technique I showed, that's the best tip I ever learned. Never remove solder when removing anything, instead add solder.

Hot Air Gun 858D BGA Rework Solder Station Blower Hair Dryer Haurdryer Welding | eBay

Hot Air Gun 858D BGA Rework Solder Station Blower Hair Dryer Hairdryer Soldering Heat Gun 220V 110V For SMD SMT Welding Repair. Blower fan :Brushless Fan. Amount of Wind:120L/m(MAX). Temperature Range:100°-450°.

www.ebay.com

The pca9685 is quite rugged, I have very little trouble with them, I don't think I've ever seen a pin stuck on. It's sounding like you have a bad mosfet instead. I'm guessing you have similar being driven by the pca9685? Those can get stuck closed, when that happens the gate with the PWM signal will have voltage which can looks like it's coming from pca9685 but it's not. If you remove the mosfet the pin will react as expected. I would look at that first.

That adapter is nicely thought out, I guess at this point it wouldn't hurt to get some. I currently have a customer who's trying to adapt the light, he determined the signal inside the light is 0-3.3v, are you driving the adapter with the same or 0-5v? I'm hoping 0-5v PWM from your pca9685.

Oops forgot to answer the last question, yes the adapter is really well thought out, here is the main thread where he -details everything and several of us detail how things are wired up - https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/controlling-viparspectra-lights.698216/

Whats nice is all you feed from reefpi is pwm signals and the electrical connection goes to a normal outlet, on/off is all controlled via pwm signal from the reefpi. It's really an awesome board for the vipar, pretty much plug and play.

 

[theatrus]

Hi folks,
im thinking of putting a booth in aquashella 2022, Orlando for reef-pi. It will be a nice gathering for hobbyists and fun times for the family. the booth will be mostly for information, demo , exhibit of different reef-pi modules, pre fab controllers etc. @robsworld78 @theatrus @Schreiber i am thinking of adding one of each of your products there. Let me know if it’s ok,. You are more than welcome to join me in the booth (im paying for the booth, so don’t worry about the booth fees ).

i need some help with a small colony or a single rock of coral that can fit into 8”x8” pico tank , 4G. It’ll need it for the exhibit. I’ll carry rest of equipment, but need some one local to help me out with the live stock for three days. I’ll return afterwards.
what you folks think ? ok or too much ?

Always ok, let me know if you're interested in some new prototype stuff :)

 

[theatrus]

I think we should just group by or let @robsworld78 or @theatrus , someone with enough experience on this to order it for us, in bulk. Say 100 of each. I’m more than happy to chip in or even pay the whole amount . I know there’s a demand for it.

Forum context missing in the jump.

Is this the Viaspectra adapters? https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...ler-based-on-raspberry-pi.289256/post-9739136

 

[bishoptf]

Forum context missing in the jump.

Is this the Viaspectra adapters? https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...ler-based-on-raspberry-pi.289256/post-9739136

Yup, @Michael Lane was making them but no longer, all of the files are up on git and I have been looking at having some boards made but I am a total noob. I know I would like some and I know there are some others as well trying to figure out what is the easiest way to accomplish it. I was looking through the part list and for some items they do not list the detailed part number like for this TL432DBZ SMD-SOT23 but there are quite a few part numbers to choose from. The boards look pretty straight forward but at least for me I would need some better descriptions for some of the parts listed, @Ranjib thought it would be you or @robsworld78 would be able to clarify and or figure out what was needed to order some up.

:)

 

[theatrus]

Yup, @Michael Lane was making them but no longer, all of the files are up on git and I have been looking at having some boards made but I am a total noob. I know I would like some and I know there are some others as well trying to figure out what is the easiest way to accomplish it. I was looking through the part list and for some items they do not list the detailed part number like for this TL432DBZ SMD-SOT23 but there are quite a few part numbers to choose from. The boards look pretty straight forward but at least for me I would need some better descriptions for some of the parts listed, @Ranjib thought it would be you or @robsworld78 would be able to clarify and or figure out what was needed to order some up.

:)

The good news is these are all pretty basic parts, and could even be built nearly fully assembled from the parts catalog of JLCPCB's hilariously cheap assembly service. I'll see about getting the centroid/part center/pick and place file out of KiCad.

TL432s come in two basic voltages, but the 2.495V reference is usually considered the standard one.

 

[robsworld78]

Yeah I was looking at the 858d clones, some of them say to check the polarity of the power cable but that was the model I was looking at, so I will add it to my list. I am using a @Michael Lane goby hat and it controls the doser via PWM but you may be on to something. The doser module is a separate module that plugs into the doser port - https://www.tindie.com/products/ranthalion/dosing-pump-adapter/ that little board has a uln2803a chip on it and maybe something on that board is what went belly up versus the pca9685, that actually makes more sense. It made me wary of using the dosing via that since I just happen to be around when it happened and was able to remove it from dosing, otherwise it would not have been good outcome. I moved to BRS AC dosing pumps controlled via relay outlet since I fill like i have more control over them vs the dosing setup but now I am leary of the relays in the strips going bad, need to find a more robust relay vs the ones in the DJ housing which is what I am using.

I have a quote out at pcbway.com to see what the board will cost, the PCB are cheap but I have not priced the components but I suspect they should be pretty reasonable also but I have not gone to digikey or anywhere to price up the BOM, he has that listed on the github, it's pretty much ready to go, when I get some more information from them I will let you know what I find out. I have not ordered any PCB's before so lots to learn but if you guys have any insight into where and how to do it I'd like to learn how to do it, etc. :)

I think all those cheap hot air guns are basically the same, mine is actually a Sigma R700 but I wouldn't be too worried about the different brands.

If you unplug the dosing adapter does the pca9685 pin work as expected with a volt meter? If nothing is attached to the pca9685 pin and it still stuck on then it's like the culprit.

I've seen a number of mosfets fail, they are quite sensitive to ESD and voltage spikes. I started adding TVS diodes across the gate and drain and source pins, that'll help a lot. The uln2803 looks like it has some protection built in but something must have got through.

Let us know how it goes with the board.

 

[robsworld78]

Hi folks,
im thinking of putting a booth in aquashella 2022, Orlando for reef-pi. It will be a nice gathering for hobbyists and fun times for the family. the booth will be mostly for information, demo , exhibit of different reef-pi modules, pre fab controllers etc. @robsworld78 @theatrus @Schreiber i am thinking of adding one of each of your products there. Let me know if it’s ok,. You are more than welcome to join me in the booth (im paying for the booth, so don’t worry about the booth fees ).

i need some help with a small colony or a single rock of coral that can fit into 8”x8” pico tank , 4G. It’ll need it for the exhibit. I’ll carry rest of equipment, but need some one local to help me out with the live stock for three days. I’ll return afterwards.
what you folks think ? ok or too much ?

Wow that's a very generous offer, how can someone say no to that. :) When would you be going? I would love to join you but unfortunately that's no possible, I can send you a package though, you can sell and go towards booth or do whatever.