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

AbjectMaelstroM · Nov 28, 2019

Some inside shots of Vipars

All I could find with a quick search.

Ranjib · Nov 28, 2019

Meanwhile ...

Bigtrout · Nov 28, 2019

Ranjib said:
Meanwhile ...

Looking good! Weve finished our thanksgiving meal...now its naps, football and leftovers!

stinger303 · Nov 28, 2019

Ranjib said:
There are at least one viperspectra mod out there, documented. I think I have a link in resource page

Thanks I'll go look at that page.

I'm still about a month before I cycle my tank but just want to have this completed before then.

Bigtrout · Nov 28, 2019

stinger303 said:
Thanks I'll go look at that page.

I'm still about a month before I cycle my tank but just want to have this completed before then.

Did some looking for you...viparspectras have several ways of dimming...some are 10v pwm...but some are 3.3vpwm meaning they could be driven right fron the pca9685. If you get a chance do a reef pi build thread. take some good pics of the boards etc in the light and post them and you will get some good help.

Mike Kearns · Nov 28, 2019

So debating about picking up the black Friday kindle fire and mounting it near my tank for control/readout. Has anyone done this with a tablet? Is it worth it? Did you use it? Thanks for the input.

Ranjib · Nov 28, 2019

Mike Kearns said:
So debating about picking up the black Friday kindle fire and mounting it near my tank for control/readout. Has anyone done this with a tablet? Is it worth it? Did you use it? Thanks for the input.

I used to run pi touch like that,, and found its rather annoying to habe something aways on, or an extra pain to turn in on/off on demand.
I think it still a compelling thing for larger setup or setup without network.. but for most of my setup, its overcomplicates things. Im mostly on laptop/tablet/phone already.. almost always

pies666 · Nov 29, 2019

Ranjib said:
The display features are built for raspberry pi official touchscreen, and won’t work with other displays. You can still use your display just fine, but you can’t control it via reef-pi.

Thanks for information.
I hooked up orignal 7'' rpi touchscreen but still having issues with it.

When I enable screen in reef-pi settings nothing happens. When I try moving the brightness slider the screen itself reacts just fine but the slider is not moving. Should the reef-pi display any UI on the screen with touchscreen connected or I have to use web browser anyway?
Futhermore when I reload reef-pi and when I hit Settings tab I get
"{"error":"strconv.Atoi: parsing \"169\\n\": invalid syntax"} | HTTP 404 "

I have also problem with this screen when I attach PCa9685 board. Touch function stops working. Might be any i2c address related issue? i2cdetect -y 1 shows PCA9685 correctly. It might be also problem with power supply as I have both screen and servo board powered via RPI not a separate 5V rail.
Confirmed and solved - power supply issue.

Touchscreen itself is working just fine - showing desktop, web browser.

I can't find any specific informations about touchscreen setup anywhere in this topic.

Thank You!

AbjectMaelstroM · Nov 29, 2019

I just have my old Samsung galaxy tab 8 that I leave on a charger and just have the browser open to ReefPi (dashboard default).

Once everything is set I really don't have a lot of need to have the info constantly displayed. And if I do, just VNC from anywhere with an internet connection.

Stephen2 · Nov 29, 2019

The zetlight lights that work with apex
Is there a way reefpi can replicate the apex signal for the zetlights?

Bigtrout · Nov 29, 2019

AbjectMaelstroM said:
I just have my old Samsung galaxy tab 8 that I leave on a charger and just have the browser open to ReefPi (dashboard default).

Once everything is set I really don't have a lot of need to have the info constantly displayed. And if I do, just VNC from anywhere with an internet connection.

I do something similar

I always have a mobile or a desktop available and my home router has a vpn server so I can vpn into my home network and simply pull up the webpage from anywhere.

Michael Lane · Nov 29, 2019

stinger303 said:
Hello,

I just purchased a reef-pi hat goby.

I noticed he also had a module for the Mars aqua. Would this work to control the viparspectra lights?

Thanks

The Mars Aqua Adapter is not designed or tested with viparspectra. My adapater was designed specifically for Mars Aqua to control on/off and dimming without being destructive. As @Bigtrout mentioned, there are variations in the lights, and even the pictures from @AbjectMaelstroM aren't definitive for your lights.

Tag me if you start a build thread, I'll be happy to offer opinions and advice. We can probably figure out a way for reef-pi to drive the lights if you are comfortable opening them up and taking voltage and frequency measurements with a multimeter.

Des Westcott · Nov 29, 2019

Stephen2 said:
The zetlight lights that work with apex
Is there a way reefpi can replicate the apex signal for the zetlights?

That's a very good question. I'd also like to know the answer.

AbjectMaelstroM · Nov 29, 2019

Des Westcott said:
That's a very good question. I'd also like to know the answer.

If it takes 0-10v analog signal then it should be doable. There were a couple of couple in this thread that have done it.

Zippyfear · Nov 29, 2019

EddieJ said:
Guess my waterproof temperature probe wasn’t waterproof after all. Seems the DS18B20 worked great for 8 months reading air temp. After being in the tank for about 2 hours it started reading 262 degrees ! Pretty sure the tank isn’t boiling lol! Anyhow , after pulling it out and drying overnight it now reads air temp correctly. Anyone else have something similar happen ? I ordered a replacement. I am running reef-pi 2.3 for what its worth.

I have been experiencing issues with mine for the last few months.. suspecting similar issues, so I just ordered replacements for them.

Zippyfear · Nov 29, 2019

Zippyfear said:
I have been experiencing issues with mine for the last few months.. suspecting similar issues, so I just ordered replacements for them.

I am thinking about trying this kind of sealant for the replacements.

Amazon product

Des Westcott · Nov 29, 2019

AbjectMaelstroM said:
If it takes 0-10v analog signal then it should be doable. There were a couple of couple in this thread that have done it.

But then I'm sure you won't be able to use the standard Apex control plug to the QMaven Range. It's like a stereo headphone jack.

AbjectMaelstroM · Nov 29, 2019

stinger303 said:
Hello,

I just purchased a reef-pi hat goby.

I noticed he also had a module for the Mars aqua. Would this work to control the viparspectra lights?

Thanks

I'm not sure how exactly Mars Aqua work, but by looking at this thrad:

My Reef pi build - Well, my Viparspectra PWM light controller :D

Where is your uln2803? That I think is your problem. You are trying to run the relays directly off of the raspberry pi outputs which draws too much current thru the pi output pins causing the undervoltage error. The uln2803 is part of the power controller for a few good reasons. It isolates...

www.reef2reef.com

Looks like Vipars are PWM out of the gate. The issue is that it needs a signal to turn on/off. I believe, and this is without a detailed look at MA light and Mike might be able to speak to this more, they operate in the similar manner.

So you would need something like a 5/12v relay which would get signal from the pie to turn on/off the light, then simple pwm signal from the pi or the PCA to adjust each channel.

I'm out of town for next two weeks, but I should have my replacement Vipar fixture by the time I get back and I can give it a crack then.

Mikeneedsahobby · Nov 30, 2019

EddieJ said:
Thanks guys! When you said dipped in silicone I was thinking something comparable to Plasti Dip. I think the idea of heat shrink tube and seal up the edges with silicone it a solid approach.

My first one was the lighter weight sensor(not drox type). I potted the entire sensor up to about 1/2 inch of wire in epoxy. Still working about 10 months later. the next two were drox type and went into a freshwater tank with no extra coating.