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

[bcirulis]

umm... I just redid mine a month or so ago when moving it as well... I used Robs script to install.... did you try to plug the powerbar into the other serial port (RS232 Connector).... just an idea.

Unfortunately same error in plugged in to powerbar 2

 

[ColoredRock]

Unfortunately same error in plugged in to powerbar 2

.. sorry I am of no help @Sral .. ideas?

 

[bcirulis]

Got it working now by using legacy 32bit Pi OS. Thanks for your tips @ColoredRock

 

[brandon clow]

Hi all,
Wondering if anyone might be able to help me with this issue. I have a Robo-Tank controller running Reef-Pi.

I am just setting up a new tank and moving my existing controller over with a fresh install.

It was all working fine, but after the installing again from scratch I get the following error in Reef-pi:

failed to initialize drivers:can't build hal pin 6: embd: your host ":" is not supported at this moment. request support at https://github.com/reef-pi/embd/issues
Under equipment control, it shows the following in a red pop up box:

{"error":"Failed to update. Error: can't update outlet Power Bar 1 - Outlet 1 driver lookup failure: driver by id rpi not available - can't get output pin"} | HTTP 500

I'm running 5.3, on Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Rev 1.4 with the V2 RoboTank controller.

Thanks in advance! Ben

I wanted to promote this same issue. I ran the latest 32 and 64 bit OS with the same result. I tried a plethora of different things but could not get past "failed to initialize drivers:can't build hal pin 6: embd: your host ":" is not supported at this moment. request support at https://github.com/reef-pi/embd/issues" This wasn't dependent on the pin number and would change at times.

• Release date: December 5th 2023
• System: 32-bit
• Kernel version: 6.1
• Debian version: 12 (bookworm)
  
  I am rolling back to an earlier version but suspect this will resolve this. I should add that I did attempt this before and after update/upgrade.

 

[Ranjib]

I wanted to promote this same issue. I ran the latest 32 and 64 bit OS with the same result. I tried a plethora of different things but could not get past "failed to initialize drivers:can't build hal pin 6: embd: your host ":" is not supported at this moment. request support at https://github.com/reef-pi/embd/issues" This wasn't dependent on the pin number and would change at times.

• Release date: December 5th 2023
• System: 32-bit
• Kernel version: 6.1
• Debian version: 12 (bookworm)
  
  I am rolling back to an earlier version but suspect this will resolve this. I should add that I did attempt this before and after update/upgrade.

Thank you for repeating this folks. Let me try to reproduce this and get back to you. After long time (almost 4 years??) I got couple of new pi zero w today :-)

 

[Ranjib]

Got it working now by using legacy 32bit Pi OS. Thanks for your tips @ColoredRock

Sorry about that.. I'll take a look at the new pi os build issues

 

[Ranjib]

Installed Raspberry Pi OS Lite 32 bit from the latest imager. Have run apt-get update as well.

pi@reef-pi:~ $ cat /etc/os-release
PRETTY_NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)"
NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux"
VERSION_ID="12"
VERSION="12 (bookworm)"
VERSION_CODENAME=bookworm
ID=raspbian
ID_LIKE=debian

Did you get this sorted?

 

[IronRising]

Good Morning All,

My T-ank been up and running for 8 months now and have been skulking on this forum for a couple months. Just started working on my Reef-Pi with a Robo-Tank Set up. Thanks @Ranjib for the awesome software, and thanks @robsworld78 for the hardware everything looks awesome and no issues. I got the main board as well as the Sensor and the Equipment extension boards. I decided to build my own relay controlled powerbar. Pic's attached for fun. I have proper terminal blocks on the way, the wire clips were for testing.

Everything is up and running on the test bench, but I'm running into two issues on the software/network side I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction as i have never run a Pi as a "Server" before. I'm sure the issue is not with the Reef-Pi software, but could be wrong.

I have Reef-Pi up and running. I am able to connect to it from my main computer. Logs are logging and Temp/PH data is rolling in, I am also able to control the powerbar outlets. No other sensors set up yet as i want to fix my issues first.

1st Issue- I am only able to access the website from one computer. Its a PC wired into the router the Pi Zero W is connected to. I can SSH and get to the website using the IP Address but not the Host Name. Mine is Http://mixedreef.local. I cannot get to website off my phone or laptop connected to same Wifi as Reef-Pi. As my main PC is downstairs and my tank is upstairs not being able to access on my phone would be annoying lol.

2nd Issue- Cannot connect to Reef-Pi through any computer, Website or SSH after about 24 hours. Must reset the Pi to access the website or SSH again. The Reef-Pi is still running as all the data is there upon reset.

This is most likely my network issue. I have allowed the local IP address of the Pi and Port 22 for SSH on my router. Any help being pointed in the right direction would be very much appreciated. If i can provide more info please let me know.

 

[ColoredRock]

1st Issue- I am only able to access the website from one computer. Its a PC wired into the router the Pi Zero W is connected to. I can SSH and get to the website using the IP Address but not the Host Name. Mine is Http://mixedreef.local. I cannot get to website off my phone or laptop connected to same Wifi as Reef-Pi. As my main PC is downstairs and my tank is upstairs not being able to access on my phone would be annoying lol.

Hit return on accident... give me a sec

 

[ColoredRock]

1st Issue- I am only able to access the website from one computer. Its a PC wired into the router the Pi Zero W is connected to. I can SSH and get to the website using the IP Address but not the Host Name. Mine is Http://mixedreef.local. I cannot get to website off my phone or laptop connected to same Wifi as Reef-Pi. As my main PC is downstairs and my tank is upstairs not being able to access on my phone would be annoying lol.

Couple of things..
It is a networking issue. You can setup a localhost file on each computer easiest thing is just connect via he ip address... or setup your router to assign a fixed ip address to mixedreef and use the routers DNS not and external DNS

try accessing on other devices via ip

 

[ColoredRock]

2nd Issue- Cannot connect to Reef-Pi through any computer, Website or SSH after about 24 hours. Must reset the Pi to access the website or SSH again. The Reef-Pi is still running as all the data is there upon reset.

Ip address is staying the same? or changing?... when this happens try a differnt browser that has not connected to reef-pi or delete the web cache and see if you can connect.

 

[elysics]

Good Morning All,

My T-ank been up and running for 8 months now and have been skulking on this forum for a couple months. Just started working on my Reef-Pi with a Robo-Tank Set up. Thanks @Ranjib for the awesome software, and thanks @robsworld78 for the hardware everything looks awesome and no issues. I got the main board as well as the Sensor and the Equipment extension boards. I decided to build my own relay controlled powerbar. Pic's attached for fun. I have proper terminal blocks on the way, the wire clips were for testing.

Everything is up and running on the test bench, but I'm running into two issues on the software/network side I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction as i have never run a Pi as a "Server" before. I'm sure the issue is not with the Reef-Pi software, but could be wrong.

I have Reef-Pi up and running. I am able to connect to it from my main computer. Logs are logging and Temp/PH data is rolling in, I am also able to control the powerbar outlets. No other sensors set up yet as i want to fix my issues first.

1st Issue- I am only able to access the website from one computer. Its a PC wired into the router the Pi Zero W is connected to. I can SSH and get to the website using the IP Address but not the Host Name. Mine is Http://mixedreef.local. I cannot get to website off my phone or laptop connected to same Wifi as Reef-Pi. As my main PC is downstairs and my tank is upstairs not being able to access on my phone would be annoying lol.

2nd Issue- Cannot connect to Reef-Pi through any computer, Website or SSH after about 24 hours. Must reset the Pi to access the website or SSH again. The Reef-Pi is still running as all the data is there upon reset.

This is most likely my network issue. I have allowed the local IP address of the Pi and Port 22 for SSH on my router. Any help being pointed in the right direction would be very much appreciated. If i can provide more info please let me know.

.local addresses are technically an abuse of protocol and do not always work. Particularly depending on how DNS is setup.

Another thing, both with the .local address or the ip-adress, try both http:// and https:// when trying to access. Some browsers nowadays try to autocorrect to Https

Third possibility: the pi zero might loose WiFi connection for one reason or another (for example the forced disconnect or reset every 24h that some routers do) and not automatically reconnect, forcing you to reset it to make it reconnect. Look in your router dashboard of that's what's happening

 

[Brett7397]

hey guys, I'm finally getting around to building this and I'm following the guides on adafruit.com. There's a few parts that are no longer available. One being the DB9 male adapters here:
Amazon product.
Is this a good alternative? Amazon product

Additionally the LM2596 Buck converter link is broken but this is the only one I can find that specifies 12v to 5v: .
Is this a good alternative? Amazon product

Additionally the LM2596 Buck converter link is broken but this is the only one I can find that specifies 12v to 5v: Amazon product

I got my parts at www.digikey.com

 

[IronRising]

Thanks @elysics and @ColoredRock.

Got busy at work yesterday afternoon and did not have a chance to respond.

I had set up my Reef-Pi to send Data every 10 min i might shorten that to ensure constant connection.

I have tried both fixed and dynamic IP's on the router, also tried the Local host name and the IP address on other devices and tried adding the "s" at the end of HTTP Still only able to access from my main windows PC using the IP address.

I will try setting up a localhost file later tonight. I also read that windows implementation of mDNS is garbage and to install the apple version to help the local host name connection. https://www.howtogeek.com/167190/how-and-why-to-assign-the-.local-domain-to-your-raspberry-pi/

As for the Rasp-Pi disconnecting i do show it still connected to the router after the 24 hour "disconnect" but not able to SSH or log into webpage. Checked this morning, Still showing on Wifi on router settings. Not able to SSH or login. Reset Pi and able to SSH/Log in and all Temp/Ph data is there. I currently have my Reef-Pi set up to send temp and PH data every 10 min but i might lower that to 1-5 min to see if it continues to disconnect.

The biggest issue is the disconnection. I can put up with only having access through 1 computer as i could Chrome remote desktop into if needed. But not being able to control outlets/ATO as needed is not ideal.

I'll update after i have time to try some of the fixes recommended.

Thanks guys,

 

[ColoredRock]

is your wifi and static on different vlans? do the ip address range match.. i.e. 192.168.1.* from hardwired to wireless? or are they segregated like a guest network? Like hardwired is 192.168.1.* and wireless is 192.168.2.*

 

[Simonv92]

Hi All! I'm trying to setup a macro which turn off my main ATO when it detects that there's no water in the refill tank.
I've setup 2 ATO:
- Sump level check -> controls ATO pump
- ATO tank check -> controls a macro that turn on or off the Sump Level Check ATO

When I try to run a system like that the ATO freezes up and they don't do anything... I can't even turn on or off the ATO with the switches... What can it be?
Thank you!

 

[IronRising]

is your wifi and static on different vlans? do the ip address range match.. i.e. 192.168.1.* from hardwired to wireless? or are they segregated like a guest network? Like hardwired is 192.168.1.* and wireless is 192.168.2.*

They do match, Wired and Wireless are both on 192.168.0.***. Life got in they way again and was not able to try any fixes last night.

Kinda why i want the Reef-Pi to help with automation. So when life happens my tank does not suffer. Setting up a full Remote ATO and Waterchange system as well.

 

[ColoredRock]

@robsworld78 any ideas?

 

[IronRising]

They do match, Wired and Wireless are both on 192.168.0.***. Life got in they way again and was not able to try any fixes last night.

Kinda why i want the Reef-Pi to help with automation. So when life happens my tank does not suffer. Setting up a full Remote ATO and Waterchange system as well.

Pulled my Wifi logs off the Pi, found a couple sections like the below i starred out any data that could be sensitive even if it is just local info . The static IP is leased for 7 days so it should not be dropping.


This is the disconnect-
Jan 09 12:39:40 Mixedreef avahi-daemon[236]: Failed to parse address 'fe80::e0e:76ff:fed4:f126%wlan0', ignoring.
Jan 09 13:09:30 Mixedreef dhcpcd[567]: wlan0: fe80::e0e:76ff:fed4:f126: router expired
Jan 09 13:09:30 Mixedreef dhcpcd[567]: wlan0: part of Router Advertisement expired
Jan 09 13:09:30 Mixedreef dhcpcd[567]: wlan0: deleting default route via fe80::e0e:76ff:fed4:f126
Jan 09 13:19:30 Mixedreef dhcpcd[567]: wlan0: part of Router Advertisement expired

Looks like my RA is causing the disconnection issues.

This is the next set of logs after i reboot.

Jan 10 06:17:30 Mixedreef dhcpcd[480]: wlan0: starting wpa_supplicant
Jan 10 06:17:30 Mixedreef dhcpcd-run-hooks[488]: wlan0: starting wpa_supplicant
Jan 10 06:17:31 Mixedreef dhcpcd[254]: wlan0: connected to Access Point `'
Jan 10 06:17:31 Mixedreef dhcpcd[254]: wlan0: waiting for carrier
Jan 10 06:17:36 Mixedreef kernel: IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_CHANGE): wlan0: link becomes ready
Jan 10 06:17:36 Mixedreef dhcpcd[254]: wlan0: carrier acquired
Jan 10 06:17:36 Mixedreef dhcpcd[254]: wlan0: connected to Access Point `Home'
Jan 10 06:17:36 Mixedreef dhcpcd[254]: wlan0: IAID ****
Jan 10 06:17:36 Mixedreef dhcpcd[254]: wlan0: adding address ****
Jan 10 06:17:36 Mixedreef avahi-daemon[238]: Joining mDNS multicast group on interface wlan0.IPv6 with address fe80::7362:fc4f:1988:4c69.
Jan 10 06:17:36 Mixedreef avahi-daemon[238]: New relevant interface wlan0.IPv6 for mDNS.
Jan 10 06:17:36 Mixedreef avahi-daemon[238]: Registering new address record for ***** on wlan0.*.
Jan 10 06:17:37 Mixedreef dhcpcd[254]: wlan0: soliciting an IPv6 router
Jan 10 06:17:37 Mixedreef dhcpcd[254]: wlan0: rebinding lease of 192.168.0.197
Jan 10 06:17:37 Mixedreef dhcpcd[254]: wlan0: probing address 192.168.0.197/****
Jan 10 06:17:42 Mixedreef dhcpcd[254]: wlan0: leased 192.168.0.197 for 604800 seconds

 

[IronRising]

I also added a cronjob to ping the router twice every 5 min to try and keep it active. Will see what happens. will update tomorrow, as it seems to disconnect around midnight based on logs.