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

[LionHeart2017]

I wonder if there is a way we can improve this. Should I add something in the docs ?

Yes please, an updated start up guide to get going would be a big help for newcomers like me, I'm just starting out on this myself, wanting to build one to take on my mars aqua lights and other bits of I can get my head around it all.

 

[16Reefer170]

I have a jack (J0) configured to pin zero (0), and the a light configured to J0. When I put the slider to 100%, there is no output from the pwm zero outputs

 

[16Reefer170]

And the error log says PWM value is 100

 

[neohusky]

I wonder if there is a way we can improve this. Should I add something in the docs ?

Hey Rabjib

Would you consider setting up bonjour type dns service during the install so that users who don’t easily know how to find the ip assigned to the pi can easily access it.

By doing this you might set it up so they simply enter http://reef-pi.local in their browser

https://www.howtogeek.com/167190/how-and-why-to-assign-the-.local-domain-to-your-raspberry-pi/

 

[16Reefer170]

The error log does not ave any errors, and shows the PWM at 100

 

[Ranjib]

Hey Rabjib

Would you consider setting up bonjour type dns service during the install so that users who don’t easily know how to find the ip assigned to the pi can easily access it.

By doing this you might set it up so they simply enter http://reef-pi.local in their browser

https://www.howtogeek.com/167190/how-and-why-to-assign-the-.local-domain-to-your-raspberry-pi/

raspberry pi runs avahi daemon already, so if you set the hostname to reef-pi (using raspi-config), then you should be able to access reef-pi as http://reef-pi.local . Nothing on the reef-pi software end is required.
Let me know if this is not working for you, happy to help

 

[neohusky]

Ok cool. I haven’t set it up yet,but, was suggesting it in case it wasn’t setup to highlight that in docs considering the recent post on accessing the web UI using the pi’s ip address.

 

[cheeseclock]

I need to install the fan grilles, but it all works. At 30C, the fans start. There are 3 stages; low, medium, and high. Time to get back to the Reef-Pi.

 

[Ranjib]

The error log does not ave any errors, and shows the PWM at 100

Then your pwm is working.

I have a jack (J0) configured to pin zero (0), and the a light configured to J0. When I put the slider to 100%, there is no output from the pwm zero outputs

the jack is configured to use pca9685 driver (should be visible from the ui)? What happens when you set value to 50%?

 

[Ranjib]

And the error log says PWM value is 100

If you don’t see the word “ERROR” in the log, then it means things are working as expected. Made sure you have dev mode unchecked (under settings )

 

[Ranjib]

Ok cool. I haven’t set it up yet,but, was suggesting it in case it wasn’t setup to highlight that in docs considering the recent post on accessing the web UI using the pi’s ip address.

The thing that concerns me is mdns may not work in all home WiFi setup. So i find it’s safer to recommend finding out the ip (using ifconfig) as first course of action, but also provide the .local option for convenience. Does that make sense?

 

[neohusky]

The thing that concerns me is mdns may not work in all home WiFi setup. So i find it’s safer to recommend finding out the ip (using ifconfig) as first course of action, but also provide the .local option for convenience. Does that make sense?

Definitely does and I completely agree. I was just thinking of the easy startup docs for novice users of Linux etc.

 

[James Golden]

well I should be getting my raspberry pi 3b+ tomorrow, I noticed that doing that running the reef-pi and me trying to do other things on it has been putting a pretty good load on the the poor raspberry pi zero w. Have a brand new 32 gig memory card setup with raspian, all of the new stacking boards that I made for the relays, temp, pwm, ATO, system are all ready to go, mostly, @Ranjib was looking thru the code for the api at your GitHub site, and I think that this is going to be easier for me to work with! I will be able to get more information and play with it! The Blynk App is working ok. I think I have figured out how to catch the error that I am getting from it and not crash the Nodejs script. It still happens off and on, but it is not because of my programing for once! lol,
I am now working on being able to turn off devices and keep them off, I was able to save my tank yesterday with it, the float switch was moved and was stuck in the "ready to top off with ATO" for too long and i was able to shut off the ATO from work!

 

[MaccaPopEye]

I like this reef pi logo! Have you shared the fusion 360 or STL files yet?

Sorry mate, I've been offline for a couple of days :)

I haven't shared the files just yet, I've been crazy busy the last couple of months but I'm hoping to have time to get in and finish the files off and upload them before June.

I still have a couple of very small changes to make to the file and then I'll be happy to upload them. And I'll definitely post a link here when I do!

Hey MaccaPopEye

That power board looks sweet. Fellow Aussie here who will also struggle finding cheap suppliers to Australia.

Have you kept a list of suppliers for all the materials used in your power board?

Hi mate,

I get 90% of my stuff from eBay (universal power sockets, misc plugs & sockets, wires, chips and boards etc.) and then just have to wait a month or two for it to arrive, it's a pain waiting but it's usually a crazy amount cheaper. But I do get some things from core-electronics (considering they are local shipping isn' very fast though) as they will sometimes have what I need for a similar price to ebay and I'm happy to pay a little bit more to buy local and the relays I'm using I got from little bird electronics.

 

[Ranjib]

well I should be getting my raspberry pi 3b+ tomorrow, I noticed that doing that running the reef-pi and me trying to do other things on it has been putting a pretty good load on the the poor raspberry pi zero w. Have a brand new 32 gig memory card setup with raspian, all of the new stacking boards that I made for the relays, temp, pwm, ATO, system are all ready to go, mostly, @Ranjib was looking thru the code for the api at your GitHub site, and I think that this is going to be easier for me to work with! I will be able to get more information and play with it! The Blynk App is working ok. I think I have figured out how to catch the error that I am getting from it and not crash the Nodejs script. It still happens off and on, but it is not because of my programing for once! lol,
I am now working on being able to turn off devices and keep them off, I was able to save my tank yesterday with it, the float switch was moved and was stuck in the "ready to top off with ATO" for too long and i was able to shut off the ATO from work!

Are you using GUI? that can be too much for pi zero, otherwise things should not burn too much cpu

 

[Ranjib]

I showed off reef-pi in adafruit show n tell live hangout yesterday. I have been thinking of doing this for over two years now, but never got the time to do it, mostly because its in west coats work-hour time. None the less, yesterday I paid long due homage, and feeling great about it. I hope we get a dedicated blog post on reef-pi from adafruit, that will be tremendous recognition :-).

Anyway, here is the video (i appear around 17:55), you can somewhat see all my 4 controller running in action against 3 of my tanks, and also an un-mounted all in one controller

 

[James Golden]

I try to do too may things at one time on the darn thing lol. When I am not messing with it it runs fine. I should do more of the programming on my Mac and pull from github instead of pushing there. Had time when I had been remoted in whit screen share and had been ssh in to with 2 or three terminals on the Mac! That had the little pi running to the max!

 

[16Reefer170]

Then your pwm is working.

the jack is configured to use pca9685 driver (should be visible from the ui)? What happens when you set value to 50%?

Thank you very much. At 100% I read 0 volts, but at 99% I get about 3.3, and down to 50%, around 1.6. So it’s working perfectly. Thank you again. This build is great fun.

 

[justin1698]

I showed off reef-pi in adafruit show n tell live hangout yesterday. I have been thinking of doing this for over two years now, but never got the time to do it, mostly because its in west coats work-hour time. None the less, yesterday I paid long due homage, and feeling great about it. I hope we get a dedicated blog post on reef-pi from adafruit, that will be tremendous recognition :).

Anyway, here is the video (i appear around 17:55), you can somewhat see all my 4 controller running in action against 3 of my tanks, and also an un-mounted all in one controller

That’s an awesome video thank you for sharing. There are some awesome ideas and concepts on there

 

[justin1698]

I’ve managed to do a bit more on my build today. I didn’t like the first facade so adjusted it as in second picture to neaten it up a bit. I’m still waiting on delivery of my 7” touchscreen which I’ll mount at the top and my jumper cables to connect my relays. Once this stage is done I will be adding a ph, temp probe and hopefully a salinity gauge of some form?! If it’s possible. Then a liquid level sensor in my ato to let me know when my ro needs topping up!