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

[MikeSpike]

The relays are all fed of an independent 5V power source. Most of them work fine it’s just 2 of them. They do make a clicking sound when I turn them off but not as loud as the clicking sound made by the other relays that actually work

 

[rushbattle]

The relays are all fed of an independent 5V power source. Most of them work fine it’s just 2 of them. They do make a clicking sound when I turn them off but not as loud as the clicking sound made by the other relays that actually work

Is there anything plugged into the outlets?

 

[MikeSpike]

Yes. E.g my skimmer. It just stays on even when I turn it off

 

[rushbattle]

Yes. E.g my skimmer. It just stays on even when I turn it off

Can you link the relays you used?

 

[Halo_003]

4 individual channels? No, as I believe pi only has 2 of its own pwm pins. However you could tie in multiple channels to one pin, but as I said you could only control 2 independently of each other. If that makes sense.

Thanks for the insight! One thing I came across was this: https://raspberrypi.stackexchange.c...i-use-the-gpio-for-pulse-width-modulation-pwm

Would software PWM over GPIO work for this? If so that would be cool, if not I think I could directly solder to a PCA9685 since the pins would probably be too tall.

 

[Ranjib]

Thanks for the insight! One thing I came across was this: https://raspberrypi.stackexchange.c...i-use-the-gpio-for-pulse-width-modulation-pwm

Would software PWM over GPIO work for this? If so that would be cool, if not I think I could directly solder to a PCA9685 since the pins would probably be too tall.

For controlling outlet? Pi has two hardawre pwm pins that you can use with reef-pi without pca9685. We generally use it for lights

 

[BenB]

After fully testing my reef pi power controller I installed it into my tank cupboard. However for some reason now some of the relays don’t go ‘off’ ??? I can move the switch of on the equipment tab but the actual plug stays live? Is this a dodgy relay?? Any suggestions appreciated.

I Like the display with the power consumption values, how did you do that? You have a link where is explained how to make that???

 

[Halo_003]

For controlling outlet? Pi has two hardawre pwm pins that you can use with reef-pi without pca9685. We generally use it for lights

This is probably an ignorant question so bear with me. Is there a reason we can’t use software PWM on the other GPIO pins to drive the light channels?

 

[Urtoo]

I believe the jitter and latency is a factor. I believe the same many say RC vehicles, they don’t suggest using pigpio and do suggest using hardware PwM board for control.

 

[Ranjib]

This is probably an ignorant question so bear with me. Is there a reason we can’t use software PWM on the other GPIO pins to drive the light channels?

The current pi ecosystem only exposes two hardware timers. which are then exposed as pwm pins in GPIO18 and 19. Those can be remapped to some other pins, but as far as i can tell two is the limit. You can ofcourse do software pwm on any GPIO, but we dont do that in reef-pi, due to myriad if performance and stability issues.

 

[Ranjib]

Too much tech talk , let’s cherish the animals we do this for , shall we?
Pico :)

closeup

sps in biocube

Goniopora

 

[MikeSpike]

Can you link the relays you used?

Amazon product

and

Pardon our interruption...

I Like the display with the power consumption values, how did you do that? You have a link where is explained how to make that???

Thanks! Its just an AC power monitor from amazon. Got the idea from someone else TBH

After researching online - i gave the broken relays some hard bangs which sorted them - put the power controller back together and low and behold another one got stuck. did the same again and then another one.

Seems strange this is happening so often (and they are different brands of board) so don't think it they are faulty. Anyone got any idea why they keep on sticking. Definitely not overloading them. Total draw on my whole system is less than 2A

 

[Des Westcott]

Yes. E.g my skimmer. It just stays on even when I turn it off

I've had this. It is the relay that has welded itself closed. Happened to 3 out of the 8 on a bank of relays.

 

[MikeSpike]

I've had this. It is the relay that has welded itself closed. Happened to 3 out of the 8 on a bank of relays.
Yeah, as above some banging released it. But dont know why its happening to so many. Getting me a little worried especially on the auto top off module! what if that relay failed and stayed on!!

 

[rushbattle]

Amazon product

and

Pardon our interruption...

Thanks! Its just an AC power monitor from amazon. Got the idea from someone else TBH

After researching online - i gave the broken relays some hard bangs which sorted them - put the power controller back together and low and behold another one got stuck. did the same again and then another one.
Seems strange this is happening so often (and they are different brands of board) so don't think it they are faulty. Anyone got any idea why they keep on sticking. Definitely not overloading them. Total draw on my whole system is less than 2A

Do any of them stick with no load at all?

 

[MikeSpike]

Do any of them stick with no load at all?

Yes. Even with no load still sticking

 

[rushbattle]

Yes. Even with no load still sticking

Practically speaking, I would change out the relays to something more reliable. Have you watched the signal voltage when applying it to the relay?

 

[Urtoo]

Yep, those little relay boards can self weld shut, or the metal contact rod inside can get wedged without enough umph to snap open again. Did you test the voltage supplied to the dc relay supply from your controller, make sure that it is being fed proper voltage?

 

[MikeSpike]

Yep, those little relay boards can self weld shut, or the metal contact rod inside can get wedged without enough umph to snap open again. Did you test the voltage supplied to the dc relay supply from your controller, make sure that it is being fed proper voltage?

both being fed 5v exactly. A little concerned as above on ATO but also on my titanium heater!
Would prefer to switch out to solid state relays but unfortunately you can’t use them on DC circuits which a lot of my equipment is

 

[Ranjib]

both being fed 5v exactly. A little concerned as above on ATO but also on my titanium heater!
Would prefer to switch out to solid state relays but unfortunately you can’t use them on DC circuits which a lot of my equipment is

How much dc voltage you are switching ? L293d are pretty good for dc workloads