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

[Ranjib]

do you have a link to the exact light your thinking of . The beamworks lights i found with a quick search have .5w led bulbs.. NOT GOOD FOR Our tanks. You need 3 to 5 w bulbs

He is talking about freshwater tanks.

 

[Fish Fan]

^^This. The Beamswork lights I'm talking about are these, and I do only use them on freshwater tanks:
https://www.amazon.com/Beamswork-Aq...809&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=beamswork+led&psc=1

A friend of mine who owns the same light has told me he uses this inexpensive PWM dimmer with his Beamswork light:
https://www.amazon.com/GOOBAT-Inlin...-spons&keywords=aquarium+led+dimmer+pwm&psc=1

Would this mean that ReefPi could potentially control these lights?

Thanks very much everyone, I really appreciate the help!

-Fish Fan

 

[sector9]

So, per probe latest temperature only in the temperature specific tab or in the dashboard ?

I really like the view doughboy used in his arduino controller combining the most recent reading, some basic max/min/avg stats along with a graph

(Source http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2332822)

 

[Ranjib]

I really like the view doughboy used in his arduino controller combining the most recent reading, some basic max/min/avg stats along with a graph

(Source http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2332822)

I’ll update the charts to show latest reading as a separate label. I am not sure I like the average values. That can be meaning less, something that does not exist. Median (aka 50th percentile is a better aggregate metric, if that’s what you are looking for) . For reference, the temperature controller usage chart , which has hourly roll up , shows average value

 

[jcmental]

A noob question here guys, I'm following this diagram but cant figure out what relay the heater will connect to or the cooling fan?
I run 11 relays for my lights and equipment but I do have 5 not in use.

 

[jcmental]

OK scratch the above. found it. it's what ever equipment you have assigned.
New problem though, can someone please post the path to the code that puts the columns and rows in your dashboard settings, i altered mine to 3 x 3 with 200 x 200 and now it wont load any thing but an empty page so cant navigate to setting to alter it back. Ta

 

[jcmental]

wow no one? sat here like a lemon normally theres loads of reply's

 

[Ranjib]

wow no one? sat here like a lemon normally theres loads of reply's

You have to go to Configuradtion -> Dashboard -> Rows, coloums. That will setup the layout. You can select individual cell items from the drop down after that. Here is the settings for my ph monitor (just ph sensor and nothing else)

Here is the corresponding dashboard

Here is the settings for my another build, which has relays and couple of temp sensor (its a temperature controller)

And the corresponding dashboard:

Is that what you are looking for?

 

[jcmental]

You have to go to Configuradtion -> Dashboard -> Rows, coloums. That will setup the layout. You can select individual cell items from the drop down after that. Here is the settings for my ph monitor (just ph sensor and nothing else)

Here is the corresponding dashboard

Here is the settings for my another build, which has relays and couple of temp sensor (its a temperature controller)

And the corresponding dashboard:

Is that what you are looking for?

Thanks @Ranjib, I did this and now the screen wont load, when I open reef pi it flashes the dashboard up then all goes blank like there is no continence, I get no navigation link across the top i.e Dashboard, Equipment, Lighting...ect it all not there

 

[Ranjib]

Thanks @Ranjib, I did this and now the screen wont load, when I open reef pi it flashes the dashboard up then all goes blank like there is no continence, I get no navigation link across the top i.e Dashboard, Equipment, Lighting...ect it all not there

can you share a screenshot? Check if theres any error in the javascript console (right click -> developer tools -> console) in your browser

 

[jcmental]

can you share a screenshot? Check if theres any error in the javascript console (right click -> developer tools -> console) in your browser

Ok the right click thing didn’t quite work. So I tried some other way. Here’s a few shots

 

[Ranjib]

I can see the error. Little bit more help, on the very first screen shot, you can see the error "Cannot read property 0 of undefined ... ui.js:65", can you click on the very first line? thats should show the javascript line , share that screenshot, and i can release a fix.

 

[jcmental]

Im clicking but all it does is highlight that word?

 

[jcmental]

is there a command i can type in the text box at the bottom to see the error?

 

[Ranjib]

is there a command i can type in the text box at the bottom to see the error?

i think you have set one of the dashboard config (row or column ) as zero , and that’s what causing this. Any chance you can reset data base? You can update the settings with api as well(without deleting the dB)

 

[Ranjib]

i think you have set one of the dashboard config (row or column ) as zero , and that’s what causing this. Any chance you can reset data base? You can update the settings with api as well(without deleting the dB)

This guide has example of get and update settings
https://reef-pi.github.io/additional-documentation/api/

Use the get api to obtain and save a copy of your setting in a file (>settings.json) , then check it for dashboard configuration , fixes if there’s a zero, ), then update setting using the update example.
Or just reset dB :-/

 

[Ranjib]

Some update on led circuit.

For sometime folks have asked for circuits other than kessil (which I use exclusively), I had tested a few things which worked earlier but never had a full on build. After some new requests this week, I decided to build out a permenant controller for my moon lights. I may combine this with one of the existing build as well, the circuit is a standalone one and will work for a wider range of voltage .

This is the circuit to control direct led power, allows you to dim led strips /bulbs etc. For my case, I want to dim coralife biocube moonlight strip, it has tree leds , runs at 12v and draws 1 amp at peak

Here is the whole setup :

I am using pi for generating pwm straight. Which controls a power mosfet , which in turn controls the led power. I am using a single 12v power source , and an lm2596 to step down to 5v, which feeds pi. The custom circuit houses the power rails, connectors for power in, led power out , male headers for connecting lm2596 and pi pwm out. It should work with pca9685 as is. Just wire a pwm source .

I am using adafruit perma proto board to solder everything , the mosfet gate (which is connected to pwm) is pulled down (connected to grown) using a 100k resistor. I am using p30n06le power mosfet.

I am very happy with the results. I was able to dim down to 1%. I’ll do a thorough thorough test with multimeter and oscilloscope next and share with you.
I think I am close to the solution of rpi pwm problem. I had to dial down the pwm frequency . I have also added a setting for specifying pwm frequency (details to 100) in the api and ui

 

[Fish Fan]

Ranjib, that last post with all the pics was very helpful to someone like me just getting started with these electronics. As much as I like Kessils too, and indeed I do own an A360we, I'm also looking for ways to control other brands and styles of lights for both fresh and saltwater tanks. So not to steer you too far from your original goals, but I find projects like this one are very helpful and informative for sure. Thank you very much for posting!

-FF

 

[Erica-Renee]

adafruit order shipped today.. My new pi 3 and a new pi zero w ordered the zero just because i did not wanna pay shipping for just the one item..

I have my The temp probe circuit issue solved..... There is a VERY Specific way you have to connect the circuits

You can not connect them in a star arrangement..I have 4 probes working
The longest probe has to be at the far end of the circuit.. Each of the other probes next longest wire 3rd position and so on.. Short wire in position 1 of the circuit.... I also switched to using cat3 phone cable. I think its 30g ..

 

[Ranjib]

adafruit order shipped today.. My new pi 3 and a new pi zero w ordered the zero just because i did not wanna pay shipping for just the one item..

I have my The temp probe circuit issue solved..... There is a VERY Specific way you have to connect the circuits

You can not connect them in a star arrangement..I have 4 probes working
The longest probe has to be at the far end of the circuit.. Each of the other probes next longest wire 3rd position and so on.. Short wire in position 1 of the circuit.... I also switched to using cat3 phone cable. I think its 30g ..

That is a very valuable feedback. I have to remember to add this in the guide