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

[Erica-Renee]

I have a question about the doser function. If the pi shuts down (either through power failure or planned maintenance) while the doser is running and the pi "misses" the time when the doser should have been turned off, will the doser keep running indefinitely?

I have realized that it works this way for other timers and outlets. However, I am worried about a doser being stuck in the "on" state for hours and inadvertently dumping a large volume of the dosing solution into the tank

with the Relays you can choose them to be Normally open or normally closed , Depending on which position you put the wire. I have some outlets set to turn on with no Low power and some to go off..... Dosing is a programmed job so will only run during its scheduled time.

 

[Ranjib]

I have a question about the doser function. If the pi shuts down (either through power failure or planned maintenance) while the doser is running and the pi "misses" the time when the doser should have been turned off, will the doser keep running indefinitely?

I have realized that it works this way for other timers and outlets. However, I am worried about a doser being stuck in the "on" state for hours and inadvertently dumping a large volume of the dosing solution into the tank

You are right, if Pi crashes when the timer is on then pca9685 will continue to send pwm signal (assuming you are using pca9685 to generate pwm). To stop pca9685 sending pwm signal pull down the OE pin (i.e. use a 1k resistor to connect oe pin and ground). if your are using pi for pwm signal then it will stop generating pwm soon after it crashes.

Please test it out and let me know. For the relay's you should be able to exploit two layers of protection 1) what @Erica-Renee mentioned , 2) GPIO should always be in off state when pi is down. And you can design your setup accordingly.

Let me know how if this is not working as I mentioned. Reliability is critical and we will not compromise on that front. I am more than happy to take a step back, and address these concerns before adding more and more features,

 

[Ranjib]

2.0-beta Smoke test video




Still learning how to make videos. Something I want to do for reef-pi build tutorials ..

 

[ReefSpy]

Hi guys, I am late to the party and have not read all 200 pages of posts. I have also been working on a reef controller using Raspberry Pi but taking a slightly different approach. Are you guys still looking for people to contribute?

 

[Ranjib]

Hi guys, I am late to the party and have not read all 200 pages of posts. I have also been working on a reef controller using Raspberry Pi but taking a slightly different approach. Are you guys still looking for people to contribute?

We are always looking for people to contribute. You don’t have to read the 200 pages unless you want to know the history :-) . Official docs should be ok, and just start building a controller and ask us if you need any help

And, welcome to reef2reef , you’ll love it here . People are very friendly

 

[janos]

Hi to all ,would like to know this relay could work wit this project? Thank you :https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00JJJK2VU/ref=pe_2802810_287895080_em_gn_t1_2p_1_im

 

[ReefSpy]

We are always looking for people to contribute. You don’t have to read the 200 pages unless you want to know the history :) . Official docs should be ok, and just start building a controller and ask us if you need any help

And, welcome to reef2reef , you’ll love it here . People are very friendly

Thank you! I will download the source and give it a go. I am currently integrating the cheap pH probe/controller from eBay with the pi (the one with board labeled Logo_PHsensor v1.1 that is like $14-$20). I am pretty sure I have it working, but the probe is so cheap the accuracy leaves much to be desired. I have a new probe coming from BRS this week. If it all checks out, I will have something to contribute.

 

[Ranjib]

Hi to all ,would like to know this relay could work wit this project? Thank you :https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00JJJK2VU/ref=pe_2802810_287895080_em_gn_t1_2p_1_im

this is not a relay. this oard controls a relay, you can use this borard to make a wifi enabled power outlet. You can use this instead of reef-pi to build a power controller. If you want to control it directly using reef-pi, you have to look at their ios or android code and then port it back

 

[janos]

Thank you Ranjib not looking for more work with my knowledge,just asking before i buy the wrong thing.

 

[Ranjib]

Thank you Ranjib not looking for more work with my knowledge,just asking before i buy the wrong thing.

If you are in US, get a adj srp8 channel relay pack, db9 connector, db9 cable , uln2803 and you should be gold

 

[janos]

Thank you again,in Canada not so easy but i try to found on amazon.ca.

 

[Des Westcott]

Ranjib.

That video of 2.0 looks awesome.

Here's a quick pic of the tank I'm going to be running on Reef-Pi (500x500x500mm cube - approx 150l)

 

[Des Westcott]

I'm currently using a TC420 to run my 5 channel LED lighting system. Is there anyone that can advise me on how to set up the PCA 9685? I've had a look at the "Builds" section, but am a little unsure how it should be done.

 

[Ranjib]

I'm currently using a TC420 to run my 5 channel LED lighting system. Is there anyone that can advise me on how to set up the PCA 9685? I've had a look at the "Builds" section, but am a little unsure how it should be done.

I have never used tc420. Do you have any datasheet or something i can look at to figure out if they can be externally controlled? I couldn't find anything useful on the net

 

[Des Westcott]

Ranjib

The TC420 controls the 5 channels of lighting. My plan is to replace it with the Reef-Pi, so there will just be 5 channels of 12V LED's. The TC420 takes 12V input and splits it to a common + and 5 -'s that connect straight to the dimmable drivers and LED's. The TC420 runs the timing and dimming programs. I will try dig out more info for you though.

 

[Ranjib]

Ranjib

The TC420 controls the 5 channels of lighting. My plan is to replace it with the Reef-Pi, so there will just be 5 channels of 12V LED's. The TC420 takes 12V input and splits it to a common + and 5 -'s that connect straight to the dimmable drivers and LED's. The TC420 runs the timing and dimming programs. I will try dig out more info for you though.

Got it. So, you want something that will convert the 5v pwm coming from pca9685 to 12v for your LEDs.
Depending upon the current draw, you can start with uln2803 and see if that works out, if not Meanwell drivers will definitely work.

 

[aquaalgae]

Just to give an example of this, you can use the

POST /api/lights/ID

api endpoint to update a lights intensity directly. So, you can write a tiny bash script that loops over and update the light channel intensities, every second

Could you post a sample bash script - just one that updates a couple of channels of pwm so I can see an example of how this works. I am learning python and have made a small python program that will calculate the pwm value for 16 channels based upon the start time, end time, ramp time and current time. I'm not sure how to implement this though....

Thanks

 

[LionHeart2017]

Are we able to use a phone for control of reef-pi, as in an app in the future do you think?

 

[Erica-Renee]

Are we able to use a phone for control of reef-pi, as in an app in the future do you think?

You can do this now from any browser, Just download a client Such as NO-IP ..
https://www.noip.com/download?page=linux

Set it up using there Setup guide . Be sure to create a SUPER Strong password. I used to use this for my IP Cameras .

 

[Ranjib]

Are we able to use a phone for control of reef-pi, as in an app in the future do you think?

reef-pi UI is a website, and can be accessed via mobile. I dont have any plan to write mobile app till 2.0 release at least. I dont know after that I'll write or not, I also dont know if I do wrtite it will be iOS or Android. I personnaly use iPhone, so if I do write an app its likely to be an iOS app first.

In terms of accessing reef-pi from outside your home network, you can setup port forwarding (you can google for your ISP specific steps, i do it using Xfinity portal, AT&T has similar things as well). As @Erica-Renee mentioned, use a strong password & https. And use it temporarily when you need it