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

[Ranjib]

I've done 2 different things for making the renderings: ALT-3 in Kicad generates the renderings with components
Generate a quote at https://jlcpcb.com/quote and add the PWM.zip file and it will generate the PCB renderings. You then also have the option to view the Gerber files and look for any problems :)

PS: I've just updated some files to have a clean BOM and housing information between the .sch and .pcb files. As a result the transistor are 180 degrees rotated (as it should be) and the BOM is complete (.csv and .html files). Have to look if we can generate a Reef-PI BOM HTML sheet :p

I've learned that some things break when you upgrade from Kicad 4 to Kicad 5 due to different libraries. Will now have a look at the HAT to get that clean as well.

PS: How have you created the top B/W picture. I wanted to such picture in the past to print out and define which parts to change.
PPS: I've now included the digikey libraries as they will make it simpler to add component information. Plan to use those in the future.
PPPS: For the silk screen I will have to update the gerber files as well.....

I got the black and white image for the Front layer when I exported the project as pdf. Kicad generates a bunch of pdfs each for different layers, screen etc.

 

[sjeff35]

I found it last night, through my all in one build. this is another UI bug :-( . I'll patch it tonight. The 'enable' field should be true. You can fix it via API, till I patch and release a new build. Save the API output in json file, edit the "enable" field to change its value to true (without quote) and then update the timer with this command (assuming the file name is timer.json)

curl -u user:password -X POST -d @timer.json http://<IP>/api/timers/9

that should do it.

I'm not going to worry too much about it until you patch it. I tried updating it, but get this error:


{"error":"json: cannot unmarshal array into Go value of type timer.Job"}

 

[janos]

Hi to all,happy day everything working ,just a small hick up wit the temp sensor.Any of you experience this?Temp go up to 125 F and back to regular 77.

 

[janos]

Hi i think you just need to remove the star front of the numbers (*) i did the same thing and working.

I'm not going to worry too much about it until you patch it. I tried updating it, but get this error:


{"error":"json: cannot unmarshal array into Go value of type timer.Job"}

 

[Ranjib]

Hi to all,happy day everything working ,just a small hick up wit the temp sensor.Any of you experience this?Temp go up to 125 F and back to regular 77.

I have experienced this, the sensor will give an anomalous reading for the first couple of attempts when I start the controller. I suspect some electrical noise, but this is so rare, and never persistent, I didnt get chance to go to the bottom of this.

 

[janos]

Thank you Ranjib if not settle down maybe i just buy a new sensor.

 

[daveabbott007]

I have experienced this, the sensor will give an anomalous reading for the first couple of attempts when I start the controller. I suspect some electrical noise, but this is so rare, and never persistent, I didnt get chance to go to the bottom of this.

I have had this a few times, more typically on Arduino or esp8266 boards and it always ended up being an issue with the wiring/connections, i have lost count of the amount of times i have had to take the black plastic sleeve off a jumper wire and pinch the connector a tiny bit to get a more solid connection from it. HTH

 

[Brad Cox]

Is there another type of tempature probe to use? I guess mines bad.

 

[Ranjib]

Is there another type of tempature probe to use? I guess mines bad.

you got it from canakit ?
I have used both canakit and adafruit. Any ds18b20 will work, as long as its for submercible usage and has three wires. Dont get the cheapest ones in amazon, they tend to rust fast.

 

[Cal_stir]

Hello, I'm contemplating building a reef-pi controller, mainly looking for temp control and a couple outlets, dosing pumps and maybe lighting.
My main concern is how reliable is the temperature control?
I have been reading this thread but it is huge, I am a pretty good DIY'er but minimal coding experience however I'm sure I can get it.
Thanks

 

[Brad Cox]

you got it from canakit ?
I have used both canakit and adafruit. Any ds18b20 will work, as long as its for submercible usage and has three wires. Dont get the cheapest ones in amazon, they tend to rust fast.

Yea i had a canakit with the coating on it but it failed.

Maybe ill try another one from adafruit.

 

[Brad Cox]

namecheap.com Been 100% up since i moved it there

Thanks! Did u use there website builder?

 

[Ranjib]

Hello, I'm contemplating building a reef-pi controller, mainly looking for temp control and a couple outlets, dosing pumps and maybe lighting.
My main concern is how reliable is the temperature control?
I have been reading this thread but it is huge, I am a pretty good DIY'er but minimal coding experience however I'm sure I can get it.
Thanks

Hi
Welcome to reef2reef, you'll love it here.
reef-pi temperature controller used ds18b20 sensors, which is not the most precise, but perhaps the most common ones, and widely used by most DIY folks. reef-pi has built in alerts and monitoring which can be handy when things go south.
Since this is a DIY build, issues can come from hardware / circuit issue. I recommend running the temperature build in monitoring mode only for some time, and then slowly hook up heater/chiller as and when you establish your temperature pattern and corresponding alerting.
Overall, I think if you build it slow and test things as you progress, you should be fine,

 

[wykat]

I got the black and white image for the Front layer when I exported the project as pdf. Kicad generates a bunch of pdfs each for different layers, screen etc.

Just found it, PLOT -> PDF :)

 

[wykat]

I've used an older camera as I couldn't wait. Overall impression is very good! Definitely better then milling.

As soon as I have all components, testing can start. So far I'm very happy with the result:)

Nicely separated PCBs and well packed:

Not all components are there, but so far everything seems to fit:

 

[Brad Cox]

I've used an older camera as I couldn't wait. Overall impression is very good! Definitely better then milling.

As soon as I have all components, testing can start. So far I'm very happy with the result:)

Nicely separated PCBs and well packed:

Not all components are there, but so far everything seems to fit:

Nice! Add me to the list!

 

[Cal_stir]

Hi
Welcome to reef2reef, you'll love it here.
reef-pi temperature controller used ds18b20 sensors, which is not the most precise, but perhaps the most common ones, and widely used by most DIY folks. reef-pi has built in alerts and monitoring which can be handy when things go south.
Since this is a DIY build, issues can come from hardware / circuit issue. I recommend running the temperature build in monitoring mode only for some time, and then slowly hook up heater/chiller as and when you establish your temperature pattern and corresponding alerting.
Overall, I think if you build it slow and test things as you progress, you should be fine,

Awesome thanks, I am planning on ordering the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ is that a good choice?

 

[Erica-Renee]

Thanks! Did u use there website builder?

The site is Built with word press and Elements .My Wife is working on the site.
There built in web builder is like most of the web based ones and simple to use thou.Name Cheap only drawback is they have less auto install scripts.But you have cli access .This is how i install my Billing Software .

@Ranjib Sorry for off topic post .

 

[sjeff35]

@Ranjib

Another question. What does this mean? Is it a problem or just an Info message? I issued a "Reload" command and got this.

 

[Ranjib]

Awesome thanks, I am planning on ordering the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ is that a good choice?

yes, you'll find a list of components here: http://a.co/j8Iv8M0
If I recall correctlty you want temperature, equipment a lights. And for that you'll need at least following
- Pi, sd card
- 12v 2A adapter,
- atleast one lm2596 (to convert 12v to 5v for pi)
- atleast one uln2803 IC for relay controls
- ADJ power strip
- ds18b20 sensor
- panel mount female audio jack (3.5mm) and male connector for connecting temperature sensor
- db9 connector and db9 cable to connect reef-pi with adj power strip
- jumper wires

Do you know what light you want to control? Once I know the light type, i might be able to recommend the parts