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

[Nicolas Sabrun]

Pi three is way more powerful, if you are planning to use GUI , then dont choose pi zero at all. Pi zero W is handy, small and does the job for pretty much all my builds except camera. I run all my builds in text mode, without any GUI (raspian lite)

Well I was planning on having some type of LCD screen on my tank so i can keep an eye on everything without using a computer.

Would it be smarter and better to go with pi 3 then?

Is reef pi compatible with both pi ?

I decided to go ahead and build my own controller. Just trying to figure out the best part to start with. It seems that pi 3 is more appropriate for a stand alone controller.

 

[Nicolas Sabrun]

Not yet. for 2.0 release we are adding a diurnal setting other than the 12 point (2 hour apart) auto mode. Note: though you specify the values in 2 hour interval, reef-pi will actually calculate the delta every 1 minute (linear interpolation) and apply it accordingly.
I am adding support for fine grained pwm control and smoother ramp up/down right now, but it will likely be available after 2.0

When can we expect the release?

 

[speedstar]

When can we expect the release?

2.0 was last slated for around thanksgiving but if it is not 100% it wont be released until it is.

 

[Des Westcott]

Jumping around between my projects........

I acquired this "black-box" LED light the other day for really cheap off a fellow reefer near me with the express intention of modifying it to dimmable drivers and setting up a Pi Zero on it to control the lighting cycle.

But as usual, I have got myself a bit confused. I thought it would be as simple as replacing the existing drivers with Meanwell LDD-H drivers or similar, but I see that they all seem to work on DC input. My drivers here seem to take 220VAC and convert it to 46VDC to run the LED's. Does this mean I would use the current drivers to run the LDD-H with the Pi providing the PWM signal to do the dimming?

A bit of help with the circuit would be appreciated.

A few pictures for reference purposes.

A

 

[Michael Lane]

Jumping around between my projects........

I acquired this "black-box" LED light the other day for really cheap off a fellow reefer near me with the express intention of modifying it to dimmable drivers and setting up a Pi Zero on it to control the lighting cycle.

But as usual, I have got myself a bit confused. I thought it would be as simple as replacing the existing drivers with Meanwell LDD-H drivers or similar, but I see that they all seem to work on DC input. My drivers here seem to take 220VAC and convert it to 46VDC to run the LED's. Does this mean I would use the current drivers to run the LDD-H with the Pi providing the PWM signal to do the dimming?

A bit of help with the circuit would be appreciated.

A few pictures for reference purposes.

A

This might be tough to modify. The power module look like they regulate current, so you won't be able to attach an LDD driver to the output. You'll likely have to modify the way the LEDs are connected in order to bring the voltage down to something LDD-H drivers can work with.
Modifying these lights will probably be quite an effort, so you may want to start a new thread.

 

[jjflounder1]

All LED drivers are current regulated ....

just A QUICK look at eBay .... Turned up this

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/142691118987

 

[theatrus]

I know there was talk at some point on making a premade board for reefpi with many of the circuits already made to just plug the pie into and components to the propper plugs/solder spots did anything ever come of that?

Also working on one of these. Needs another revision for easier use of the new relay modules.

 

[jjflounder1]

Also working on one of these. Needs another revision for easier use of the new relay modules.

That's Nice .. will you be selling them ?

 

[Ranjib]

Is there a difference between direct connected monitor and remote access when running a GUI on the zero? I've got a 3, but after building it I realized how little of the pi I needed (usb, network port, processor and memory usage very low, etc. ), so curious for future use.

remote access involves running more software on the pi and a penalty of network latency , that’s all

 

[Ranjib]

@ScottBrew running pi-zero If you are talking about using VNC To remote into the pi . It will NOT WORK. The pi zero is not fast enough to even sync from my experience. you can use something like putty to get the pi zero command line and it works absolutely perfect.. I have found that once you have your Reef-pi up and running this is you need to run reef-pi even on a pi3 ..

My hope is (not pushing ) some day gpio expansion will come and we can run more then one reef-pi on the same raspberry pi . I would also like to see a Maintenance charting database and live and materials tracking. This would be beyond pi zero ability i believe .

Yess :-) . 3.0 will surely have this (support for mcp23017 gpio expander)

 

[Ranjib]

Thank you for the reply. My question was more posed as being able to access the GUI remote (on home network) so that my wife or daughters can turn on feed mode, for when I am not home, without using a command line. I personally don't want to use a command line every time I want to run a macro myself, even though I am comfortable doing so. If I add any more automation to the system, I will run out of GPIO outputs to run them and then may have to add a second pi to split up the tasks, unless the expansion is available. The pi3b+ is certainly undertaxed and capable of running hundreds of input/outputs.

Yes, as @Erica-Renee mentiomed , they should be able to click the macro from reef-pi ui directly

 

[Ranjib]

I was using your Kessil PCA9685 circuit, so it was 10V, I didn't want to build a new one just to test it. I though capping it at 50% would be ok for the test.

Remove the transistor bits from kessil circuit and use the pca9685 pwm output directly

 

[Ranjib]

I know there was talk at some point on making a premade board for reefpi with many of the circuits already made to just plug the pie into and components to the propper plugs/solder spots did anything ever come of that?

There are three actually , but all of them are in progress. We know the one made by @wykat is already being used by others, @roberto made a ph board that I am yet to test and add support in reef-pi, it will significantly reduce the cost of ph monitor . Finally @theatrus designed the most comprehensive board thats still going through testing.

 

[Ranjib]

When can we expect the release?

Right before thanksgiving

 

[Ranjib]

Well I was planning on having some type of LCD screen on my tank so i can keep an eye on everything without using a computer.

Would it be smarter and better to go with pi 3 then?

Is reef pi compatible with both pi ?

I decided to go ahead and build my own controller. Just trying to figure out the best part to start with. It seems that pi 3 is more appropriate for a stand alone controller.

Go with pi 3 if you are not comfortable with computer and command line.
The physical monitor interface is only needed if you don’t have network enabled . Otherwise you can run reef-pi without guide and use any cheap tablet to access it

 

[Ranjib]

Friends, just a heads up that I’m in India , at my parents place this week , and my presence will be sporadic during this time. I’ll try to sync up with the r2r threads once a day .
On the plus side, it’s amazingly peaceful here in our lush green rice fields and expect some more code to be shipped :-)

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Friends, just a heads up that I’m in India , at my parents place this week , and my presence will be sporadic during this time. I’ll try to sync up with the r2r threads once a day .
On the plus side, it’s amazingly peaceful here in our lush green rice fields and expect some more code to be shipped :)

@Ranjib - enjoy your time with your parents!

 

[Des Westcott]

Friends, just a heads up that I’m in India , at my parents place this week , and my presence will be sporadic during this time. I’ll try to sync up with the r2r threads once a day .
On the plus side, it’s amazingly peaceful here in our lush green rice fields and expect some more code to be shipped :)

That's great. Enjoy your break. As long as coding is what you do to relax.

 

[hockeyhead019]

@Ranjib enjoy your break. Your replies on here are the best I've ever seen in a build thread. Take the time off and enjoy it!

 

[Diamond1]

Friends, just a heads up that I’m in India , at my parents place this week , and my presence will be sporadic during this time. I’ll try to sync up with the r2r threads once a day .
On the plus side, it’s amazingly peaceful here in our lush green rice fields and expect some more code to be shipped :)

If anyone deserves some down time in a lush green field it's you!