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

[Ranjib]

I'm experiencing another strange problem ...........

I was running on 2.0.0 beta5 and all was good. Then suddenly I could not turn the Return Pump ("Relay 5" in connectors) on after feeding one night. I hunted and tried various things, and eventually came to the conclusion that the relay must be faulty. I am upgrading my skimmer at the moment so it isn't in the sump, so I just connected the Return to "Relay 7".

Now today after doing a water change, I could not get the Return to turn on again. I thought it was another relay failure, and I connected the return to my refugium light "Relay 8". I cursed quite a bit and decided I need to get a better set of relays somewhere........ but then I noticed something.....

Under equipment, there are no Connectors associated with them. I also cannot delete the Equipment and reassign. I cannot delete the Connectors either (obviously actually). I then also noticed that my Temp graph had not updated since since the 12/07 2018 03:00.

I then updated to Reef-Pi 2.0.0 beta6, in case I had a bug that was fixed in that release. No difference. I also pulled the GPIO wire on the working "Relay 8" and attached it to 7 and 6 and both activated. So I'm now pretty sure the relays are fine. I've been getting the pink ribbon of annoyance ( LOL ) at the top of the screen and have been ignoring it.

Any ideas?

That is very unusual, do you have the connectors defined? Check if the connectors are properly defined under Configuration-> Connectors. And then try to delete and recreate the equipment that are not showing connector association right now . That should resolve it. I am still not sure what caused the equipment to loose their outlet association.

 

[Ranjib]

That is very unusual, do you have the connectors defined? Check if the connectors are properly defined under Configuration-> Connectors. And then try to delete and recreate the equipment that are not showing connector association right now . That should resolve it. I am still not sure what caused the equipment to loose their outlet association.

also , check what reef-pi log says when you turn on/off one of the equipment without any outlets.

 

[Ranjib]

@Ranjib

Once again I have to say THANKS for all you do with the project. I'm really loving this thing! I'll get my lighting module done this week. My Kessil is supposed to be here Friday.

So, my next add-on I want to tackle is the PH monitoring. I have read through your posts on your testing and implementation, just wondering if you are writing up a build guide and BOM for the PH part? After the PH, the doser will be next on my list.

Thanks again

I will be. pH, doser both guides is coming, but little later. I am trying to wrap up all the remaining features (mainly macro and light profiles) before that. UI changes also needs to be settle down, as I'll use UI screen shots in the guide.

For ph, you'll need
- Atlas scientific ezo ciruit, bnc connector breakout, probe, voltage isolator (and calibration solutions if you want)
- A perma proto board to house the ezo circuit, bnc connector breakout .
- Optionally a 4.7K resistor (not always needed)
thats all.. its i2c based, wiring should be simple, same as pca9685 wiring. atlas scientific has extensive documentation on how to wire it, to get started

 

[Ranjib]

Ranjib.

I'm still battling with my lighting. I'm reliably getting 0 - 5 volts PWM based on the Reef-pi lighting setting from the PCA9685. It's getting that to the 12 volts to run my lights that's the problem. I've tried that circuit that you gave me with the Mosfet and resistor, but still not getting it.

I'll post a picture of my circuit momentarily.

Des

Can you share a photo of your circuit, that will help us understanding the problem.

 

[sjeff35]

I will be. pH, doser both guides is coming, but little later. I am trying to wrap up all the remaining features (mainly macro and light profiles) before that. UI changes also needs to be settle down, as I'll use UI screen shots in the guide.

For ph, you'll need
- Atlas scientific ezo ciruit, bnc connector breakout, probe, voltage isolator (and calibration solutions if you want)
- A perma proto board to house the ezo circuit, bnc connector breakout .
- Optionally a 4.7K resistor (not always needed)
thats all.. its i2c based, wiring should be simple, same as pca9685 wiring. atlas scientific has extensive documentation on how to wire it, to get started

Thanks again.

What about getting one of these Tentacles for the Pi? Then I'll be prepared to add E.C. and whatever else comes along down the road?

 

[Ranjib]

Thanks again.

What about getting one of these Tentacles for the Pi? Then I'll be prepared to add E.C. and whatever else comes along down the road?

reef-pi should work with tentacle shield without any changes. I didnt went that route, as I have no need (or any plan to add support) for EC or ORP probes in immediate future. You can use them for multiple ph probes probably. They are bit pricy, (in fact ph electronics is pricy as well). And since this was my very first stab at ph monitor build, i really wanted just the ph circuit, without anything extra.
Do you see any use of EC or ORP probes? ORP interpretation is bit hard, and it mostly acts as another layer of validation if things go wrong, while EC I think is rarely useful if your ATO is tuned properly (since salinity will be constant)

 

[Des Westcott]

That is very unusual, do you have the connectors defined? Check if the connectors are properly defined under Configuration-> Connectors. And then try to delete and recreate the equipment that are not showing connector association right now . That should resolve it. I am still not sure what caused the equipment to loose their outlet association.

Yes, connectors are defined as per screenshot.

When I try delete connectors, nothing happens. I cannot delete equipment, it asks "Are you sure?" When I hit OK, nothing happens. I've tried rebooting multiple times.

 

[sjeff35]

reef-pi should work with tentacle shield without any changes. I didnt went that route, as I have no need (or any plan to add support) for EC or ORP probes in immediate future. You can use them for multiple ph probes probably. They are bit pricy, (in fact ph electronics is pricy as well). And since this was my very first stab at ph monitor build, i really wanted just the ph circuit, without anything extra.
Do you see any use of EC or ORP probes? ORP interpretation is bit hard, and it mostly acts as another layer of validation if things go wrong, while EC I think is rarely useful if your ATO is tuned properly (since salinity will be constant)

I just like toys, not sure how useful it would be o_O

 

[Des Westcott]

Also, just realised my ATO isn't working. Going to try deleting and re-installing the ATO

 

[Ranjib]

Yes, connectors are defined as per screenshot.

When I try delete connectors, nothing happens. I cannot delete equipment, it asks "Are you sure?" When I hit OK, nothing happens. I've tried rebooting multiple times.

I am not able to reproduce this on my end, I am able to delete equipments as well as add and on/off them (2.0.0-beta-6)
Can you check the log when you try deleting the equipment and see what happens? Share the log if you see any error

 

[Des Westcott]

Also, just realised my ATO isn't working. Going to try deleting and re-installing the ATO

Deleted ATO. Reconfigured. Rebooted. Still no worky-worky.

 

[Des Westcott]

I am not able to reproduce this on my end, I am able to delete equipments as well as add and on/off them (2.0.0-beta-6)
Can you check the log when you try deleting the equipment and see what happens? Share the log if you see any error

Sure. How do I access the Log?

 

[Ranjib]

Sure. How do I access the Log?

sudo systemctl status reef-pi.service

and

sudo journalctl -fu reef-pi.service

 

[Ranjib]

Also, just realised my ATO isn't working. Going to try deleting and re-installing the ATO

When you say ATO not working, can you describe it a bit more, exatcly what not working? The ATO pump on/off not working or the water level sensor itself is not working?

 

[Ranjib]

@Erica-Renee question for you, I just bought a Ryobi one+ starter drill kit, my old ikea drill got fired last night. I am observing some visible sparks , is that normal? or should i return it. I was planning to get a makita, but since I wont do a lot of heavy duty work (only drill holes in plastic housing, and may be screws in apartment walls ) and it was pricier, I went with Ryobi . this is the model in amazon, i got a new one from home depot:
https://www.amazon.com//dp/B00XIYUGM2/

 

[Des Westcott]

sudo systemctl status reef-pi.service

and

sudo journalctl -fu reef-pi.service

These are the outputs of the two commands. Well, the last part of the second command. I will now try get the response when I try delete / alter equipment.

 

[Des Westcott]

I am not able to reproduce this on my end, I am able to delete equipments as well as add and on/off them (2.0.0-beta-6)
Can you check the log when you try deleting the equipment and see what happens? Share the log if you see any error

Seems it can't delete the outlet??

 

[Des Westcott]

When you say ATO not working, can you describe it a bit more, exatcly what not working? The ATO pump on/off not working or the water level sensor itself is not working?

I'm inclined to say it isn't reading the sensor, because I'm detecting no evidence of it trying to trigger the relay and possibly pump not working.

 

[sjeff35]

Since I implemented Reef-pi yesterday and added a fan to blow across the back of my Nuvo Fusion 40, this thing is doing a great job of maintaining temperature now.

I love this!!!

 

[Erica-Renee]

@Erica-Renee question for you, I just bought a Ryobi one+ starter drill kit, my old ikea drill got fired last night. I am observing some visible sparks , is that normal? or should i return it. I was planning to get a makita, but since I wont do a lot of heavy duty work (only drill holes in plastic housing, and may be screws in apartment walls ) and it was pricier, I went with Ryobi . this is the model in amazon, i got a new one from home depot:
https://www.amazon.com//dp/B00XIYUGM2/

you should see some sparks coming from the motor armature at the back of the drill. Maybe smell But should diminished after a while. You will still see some spark right at the armature... Apparently those still have brushes..

OHH I Buy only Ridgid power tools But that one should do you fine and last forever, Also batteries are cheaper. Ridgid tools are heavier and Super tough Much more then you would need but have a Life time service agreement and free battery replacement..

Just run it a while and see if it improves.. If not then exchange