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

GaryE · Apr 5, 2022

Mine uses 8 pins on the DB9 for data and 1 for 5v, then I used the shield for ground..

Just gotta make sure that your serial cable is shielded, most quality serial cables should be.

GaryE · Apr 5, 2022

I've made a lot of progress on my Arduino temp sensor / Kasa outlet controller. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/arduino-temperature-control.900668/#post-10043007

Have a peek at my thread. I still have a couple issues with the web UI, so I would welcome any assistance from someone who actually knows C++.

bishoptf · Apr 5, 2022

Here is something that I would like to see after a power outage I would like certain components to be delayed to start up. I would like to be able to specify items that should turn back immediately and then items that I would like to be delayed. My overflow and drain takes longer than it probably should to clear the air from the lines so I would like to delay ATO turn on and the skimmer on reboot for a set time period, really I'd like the ability to specify which components should be delayed on a rpi power-up.

Looking at trying to do somethin via cron but thought I would throw that out there, probably not the only one that mike like to have that ability. :)

robsworld78 · Apr 6, 2022

Tom Bishop said:
So @robsworld78 @GaryE @Schreiber @Ranjib or anyone else that can let me know if this logic is flawed. I have been slowly working on a DIY relay so I could test some one of the portions of the @Michael Lane reefpi hats. He had a 10 pin section that could drive 5v relays so I made one up and its working but I wanted to use a 9 pin cable, much easier to find vs 10 pin. Basically he has 8pins for gpio and one for gnd and one for 5v which makes 10, but do I need to extend ground from the reef-pi or for the relay unit could I use the ground connection in the relay box? If I can use the ground in the box for the relay unit then I would be left with 9pins, similar to the dj-8 connection which funny doesnt have ground either. I am thinking I can just use the ground in the box but thought I would ask.

Wiring has been a pain and still think there has to be a better way to mount and get access but here is what I have come up with, keep in mind its a work in progress and I would make changes to the 3d stuff but this is what I have at the moment, 2 sections since it's longer than my 3d bed, need a larger printer :)

If anyone is interested in more details let me know, 7 outlets are wired NO and one is wired NC. Like I said there are things I would change in the 3d model but at 8hr to print a side its good enough, lol.

Let me know what you guys think about the ground and if I am off base, thanks. :)

Looks good, you will need to connect the ground as it's required to complete the circuit, like @GaryE mentioned you can use the shield for ground, I think most cables are end to end.

bishoptf · Apr 6, 2022

robsworld78 said:
Looks good, you will need to connect the ground as it's required to complete the circuit, like @GaryE mentioned you can use the shield for ground, I think most cables are end to end.

Understand but my question is can I use the ground in the powerstrip enclosure vs bringing the ground from the rpi. What I noticed is on his dj powerstrip connection he did not bring a ground over, just the 8 gpio connectors and the one 12v connection, the rlay board in the DJ strip uses the ground in the enclosure and I was going to do the same thing. I tested it with a meter and ground from the rpi is ground at the relay board, so I think I am good.

GaryE · Apr 6, 2022

Tom Bishop said:
Understand but my question is can I use the ground in the powerstrip enclosure vs bringing the ground from the rpi. What I noticed is on his dj powerstrip connection he did not bring a ground over, just the 8 gpio connectors and the one 12v connection, the rlay board in the DJ strip uses the ground in the enclosure and I was going to do the same thing. I tested it with a meter and ground from the rpi is ground at the relay board, so I think I am good.

I think you can, but I'm not sure you should. That could introduce other issues, like noise.

GaryE · Apr 6, 2022

I'm having a strange issue with one of my tank heaters.. No recent changes to anything in the setup, but for some reason this heater doesn't want to control my temp any more. you can see the threshold is 78 and yet the tank is happily heating right up to 80.... my poor fish don't know what to think.

bishoptf · Apr 6, 2022

GaryE said:
I think you can, but I'm not sure you should. That could introduce other issues, like noise.

Understand, however I have 2 DJ strips running that way for some time, but understand...:)

bishoptf · Apr 6, 2022

GaryE said:
I'm having a strange issue with one of my tank heaters.. No recent changes to anything in the setup, but for some reason this heater doesn't want to control my temp any more. you can see the threshold is 78 and yet the tank is happily heating right up to 80.... my poor fish don't know what to think.

Huh, what version are you running?

GaryE · Apr 6, 2022

Tom Bishop said:
Huh, what version are you running?

5.2

bishoptf · Apr 6, 2022

GaryE said:
5.2

Welp that is a bummer, Ive stayed back on 4.3, I know things work and does what I need it to do, would be interesting to see what journalctl is saying in the logs but it is missing the threshold, is it possible that the relay has gone south? Maybe try moving the heater to another outlet and see if that happens or manually throwing the outlet switch via equipment.

robsworld78 · Apr 7, 2022

Tom Bishop said:
Understand but my question is can I use the ground in the powerstrip enclosure vs bringing the ground from the rpi. What I noticed is on his dj powerstrip connection he did not bring a ground over, just the 8 gpio connectors and the one 12v connection, the rlay board in the DJ strip uses the ground in the enclosure and I was going to do the same thing. I tested it with a meter and ground from the rpi is ground at the relay board, so I think I am good.

If you have a ground from relay board to Pi then you have a common ground somewhere so all should be good. DC circuits need a ground between all devices or weird things can happen.

Arkon · Apr 7, 2022

Hello, if I update to 5.2 then my 12v dosing pumps stopped working. If I revert back to 5.1 all pump work as normal

GaryE · Apr 7, 2022

I think it's just not able to connect to the kasa strip.

Code:

Apr 07 00:00:13 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:13 lighting subsystem: Setting Light:  Left White Channel: Left White Value: 0
Apr 07 00:00:13 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:13 lighting-subsystem: Setting PWM value: 0  at channel: 3
Apr 07 00:00:13 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:13 onTime  0  offTime  4096
Apr 07 00:00:13 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:13 lighting subsystem: Setting Light:  Right Blue Channel: Right Blue Value: 0
Apr 07 00:00:13 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:13 lighting-subsystem: Setting PWM value: 0  at channel: 4
Apr 07 00:00:13 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:13 onTime  0  offTime  4096
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: ERROR: Failed to read probe: Sump_Heater_pin . Error: pin 3 on analog input 14 has no driver: driver 22 for analog input sump_heater_pin not found: driver by id 22
 not available
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: ERROR: Failed to read probe: Return_Pump_pin . Error: pin 5 on analog input 12 has no driver: driver 22 for analog input return_pump_pin not found: driver by id 22
 not available
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 lighting subsystem: Setting Light:  Right White Channel: Right White Value: 0
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 lighting-subsystem: Setting PWM value: 0  at channel: 5
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 onTime  0  offTime  4096
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: Probe: sht31-temp Reading: 24.91
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: Probe: sht31-humidity Reading: 48.58
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: Probe: sht31-temp_file Reading: 76.76
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: Probe: sht31-humidity_file Reading: 48.57
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: ERROR: Failed to read probe: Heater_pin . Error: pin 1 on analog input 9 has no driver: driver 22 for analog input heater_pin not found: driver by id 22 not availa
ble
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: ERROR: Failed to read probe: Skimmer_pin . Error: pin 0 on analog input 10 has no driver: driver 22 for analog input skimmer_pin not found: driver by id 22 not ava
ilable
Apr 07 00:00:15 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:15 Reading temperature from device: 28-0119387a8b67
Apr 07 00:00:15 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:15 Reading temperature from device: 28-00000c3bcbb2
Apr 07 00:00:15 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:15 health check: Used memory: 10.08  Load5: 0.45
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 temperature sub-system:  sensor Box Temp value: 91.63
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 Current value of 'Box Temp' is above maximum threshold. Executing down routine
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 Equipment: dummy On: false
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 Equipment: Fan On: true
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 onTime  4096  offTime  0
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 temperature sub-system:  sensor temp value: 78.35
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 Current value of 'temp' within range switching off control equipments
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 Equipment: Heater_1 On: false
Apr 07 00:00:29 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:29 ph sub-system: ERROR: Failed to read probe: Heater_pin . Error: pin 1 on analog input 9 has no driver: driver 22 for analog input heater_pin not found: driver by id 22 not availa
ble
Apr 07 00:00:29 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:29 ph sub-system: ERROR: Failed to read probe: Skimmer_pin . Error: pin 0 on analog input 10 has no driver: driver 22 for analog input skimmer_pin not found: driver by id 22 not ava
ilable
Apr 07 00:00:43 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:43 lighting subsystem: Setting Light:  Blue Bar Front Channel: Channel-1 Value: 0
Apr 07 00:00:43 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:43 lighting-subsystem: Setting PWM value: 0  at channel: 0
Apr 07 00:00:43 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:43 onTime  0  offTime  4096
Apr 07 00:00:43 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:43 lighting subsystem: Setting Light:  Blue Bar Back Channel: Channel-1 Value: 0

bishoptf · Apr 7, 2022

GaryE said:

I think it's just not able to connect to the kasa strip.

Code:

Apr 07 00:00:13 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:13 lighting subsystem: Setting Light:  Left White Channel: Left White Value: 0
Apr 07 00:00:13 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:13 lighting-subsystem: Setting PWM value: 0  at channel: 3
Apr 07 00:00:13 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:13 onTime  0  offTime  4096
Apr 07 00:00:13 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:13 lighting subsystem: Setting Light:  Right Blue Channel: Right Blue Value: 0
Apr 07 00:00:13 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:13 lighting-subsystem: Setting PWM value: 0  at channel: 4
Apr 07 00:00:13 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:13 onTime  0  offTime  4096
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: ERROR: Failed to read probe: Sump_Heater_pin . Error: pin 3 on analog input 14 has no driver: driver 22 for analog input sump_heater_pin not found: driver by id 22
 not available
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: ERROR: Failed to read probe: Return_Pump_pin . Error: pin 5 on analog input 12 has no driver: driver 22 for analog input return_pump_pin not found: driver by id 22
 not available
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 lighting subsystem: Setting Light:  Right White Channel: Right White Value: 0
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 lighting-subsystem: Setting PWM value: 0  at channel: 5
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 onTime  0  offTime  4096
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: Probe: sht31-temp Reading: 24.91
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: Probe: sht31-humidity Reading: 48.58
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: Probe: sht31-temp_file Reading: 76.76
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: Probe: sht31-humidity_file Reading: 48.57
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: ERROR: Failed to read probe: Heater_pin . Error: pin 1 on analog input 9 has no driver: driver 22 for analog input heater_pin not found: driver by id 22 not availa
ble
Apr 07 00:00:14 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:14 ph sub-system: ERROR: Failed to read probe: Skimmer_pin . Error: pin 0 on analog input 10 has no driver: driver 22 for analog input skimmer_pin not found: driver by id 22 not ava
ilable
Apr 07 00:00:15 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:15 Reading temperature from device: 28-0119387a8b67
Apr 07 00:00:15 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:15 Reading temperature from device: 28-00000c3bcbb2
Apr 07 00:00:15 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:15 health check: Used memory: 10.08  Load5: 0.45
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 temperature sub-system:  sensor Box Temp value: 91.63
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 Current value of 'Box Temp' is above maximum threshold. Executing down routine
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 Equipment: dummy On: false
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 Equipment: Fan On: true
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 onTime  4096  offTime  0
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 temperature sub-system:  sensor temp value: 78.35
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 Current value of 'temp' within range switching off control equipments
Apr 07 00:00:17 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:17 Equipment: Heater_1 On: false
Apr 07 00:00:29 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:29 ph sub-system: ERROR: Failed to read probe: Heater_pin . Error: pin 1 on analog input 9 has no driver: driver 22 for analog input heater_pin not found: driver by id 22 not availa
ble
Apr 07 00:00:29 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:29 ph sub-system: ERROR: Failed to read probe: Skimmer_pin . Error: pin 0 on analog input 10 has no driver: driver 22 for analog input skimmer_pin not found: driver by id 22 not ava
ilable
Apr 07 00:00:43 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:43 lighting subsystem: Setting Light:  Blue Bar Front Channel: Channel-1 Value: 0
Apr 07 00:00:43 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:43 lighting-subsystem: Setting PWM value: 0  at channel: 0
Apr 07 00:00:43 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:43 onTime  0  offTime  4096
Apr 07 00:00:43 nempi reef-pi[15541]: 2022/04/07 00:00:43 lighting subsystem: Setting Light:  Blue Bar Back Channel: Channel-1 Value: 0

Yup that would do it, why I only have things on the Kasa that I want to stay running like wave pumps or return pumps since if wireless is down or it power reboots the kasa strip is not always reachable. I have one kasa strip and one hardwired strip, and heaters and dosers go on the hardwired strip since I want them to be reachable at all times. Things that I tend to want on all the time or non critical devices I place on the Kasa strip. I have the same concern, I really like the kasa strips but they can become unreachable, for me it's still an issue after a power hit, the wireless controllers take longer to boot up vs the rpi's and I have to almost do a reload on reef-pi to get the strips working again.

I want to spend some time looking into a cron job that will monitor the kasa strips and if not reachable perform a reload, I prefer to do something besides a full reload but not sure what else can be done. Will try to spend some time this weekend and see what I can come up with. :)

GaryE · Apr 7, 2022

Tom Bishop said:
Yup that would do it, why I only have things on the Kasa that I want to stay running like wave pumps or return pumps since if wireless is down or it power reboots the kasa strip is not always reachable. I have one kasa strip and one hardwired strip, and heaters and dosers go on the hardwired strip since I want them to be reachable at all times. Things that I tend to want on all the time or non critical devices I place on the Kasa strip. I have the same concern, I really like the kasa strips but they can become unreachable, for me it's still an issue after a power hit, the wireless controllers take longer to boot up vs the rpi's and I have to almost do a reload on reef-pi to get the strips working again.

I want to spend some time looking into a cron job that will monitor the kasa strips and if not reachable perform a reload, I prefer to do something besides a full reload but not sure what else can be done. Will try to spend some time this weekend and see what I can come up with. :)

I've found the kasa devices to be fairly reliable. I've been using them for about 5 years or so.. The funny thing, I have two tanks. Both using RPi 3. Both using Kaza strips. Both were running 5.2 and only one is having issues reaching the strip.....

Revert to 5.1 on this particular install and it works just fine.. That's what I get for keeping things on the bleeding edge... :P

DWKDiver · Apr 7, 2022

Moises Longhi said:
Hi! Here I am using 12v dc pumps, and they are working perfectly, I use them with the PCA9685 controller connected to a board with 4 MOSFETs that control the 4 dosing heads.

I am using a robotank board. YMMV. They don't run with 5.2 revision of ReefPi. Works fine on 5.1 rev.

I see others are having the same issue.

DWKDiver · Apr 7, 2022

How to turn off pwm lights?

Tried:

Disable light - won't save. Always shows up enabled.
Set maximum to zero - it will set to 100 as I guess zero is not allowed.

This seems to be a bug.

I Don't want to change our delete the lights, just turn them off until I want them back on.

Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance.

BenB · Apr 8, 2022

DWKDiver said:
How to turn off pwm lights?

Tried:

Disable light - won't save. Always shows up enabled.
Set maximum to zero - it will set to 100 as I guess zero is not allowed.

This seems to be a bug.

I Don't want to change our delete the lights, just turn them off until I want them back on.

Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance.

My lights have 24v, and pwm dimming. I use a relay to turn of the 24v.

bishoptf · Apr 8, 2022

robsworld78 said:
Looks good, you will need to connect the ground as it's required to complete the circuit, like @GaryE mentioned you can use the shield for ground, I think most cables are end to end.

Yup looks like you need to carry over the ground, I tested both ways and it did not work as expected with NC outlets. I'd really like someone to explain in simpleton terms why this is and how the DJ strips are working without a ground from the rpi. I did some googling and has to do with the optical isolaters and how it is sinking to ground along with the JDVCC jumper. I found this thread that tries to explain it but its waaay over my head, lol - https://electronics.stackexchange.c...lay-module-with-jd-vcc-from-arduino-raspberry

Bottom line without the ground from the rpi (I tried grounding the relay in the enclosure itself), the NC outlet would trigger on when GND was touched on the rpi. It was clear that something was not quite right, but with ground brought over from the rpi it behaved as expected. I was tired last night and will try to read through that write up again but just thought @theatrus @robsworld78 or someone could explain in laymans terms what is going on.

Thanks :)