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

[brian.badge]

Test it and see if you get the response you want. That is probably the best way to see how it works.

chillers should turn on and stay on any time the temperature is above target.

heaters turn on and stay on any time the temperature is below target.

but I think the option you will want is to reverse the outlet on the configuration-connectors tab.

you can use ice and hot water to test how the system would respond.

You are right thank you!

 

[JeremyKnight]

For temperature probe there is no programming involved. If you are not seeing the sensor it’s a circuit/probe issue . Let me catch up on your thread

you were correct! im an idiot and had a wire in the wrong place.

i did get the sensors hooked up and put on the dashboard. sensor 1 is displaying incorrectly on the dashboard but is reading correctly in the temperature-calibrate-current reading area. the second sensor seems to be functioning correctly.

 

[Ranjib]

you were correct! im an idiot and had a wire in the wrong place.

i did get the sensors hooked up and put on the dashboard. sensor 1 is displaying incorrectly on the dashboard but is reading correctly in the temperature-calibrate-current reading area. the second sensor seems to be functioning correctly.

No need to curse yourself. This is a learning project, we have all been there. Do you know if you swap the wire (+ve and GND) then the sensor gets hot to an extent that it can burn your finger. Dont ask me how I know this.

And the burning marks in my finger had nothing to with it, its purely coincidental ;)

 

[Barclay]

Cosa c'era dentro? Temperatura ? O il grafico del ph. Verificare che questi sistemi siano attivi

What was in there ? Temperature ? Or ph graph . Check those systems are up and enabled

 

[Barclay]

Cosa c'era dentro? Temperatura ? O il grafico del ph. Verificare che questi sistemi siano attivi e abilitati

ok, I understand, the problem is doser, if I put in dashboard only 1 channel, it's ok, but if I put other channel, I have that message

 

[JeremyKnight]

No need to curse yourself. This is a learning project, we have all been there. Do you know if you swap the wire (+ve and GND) then the sensor gets hot to an extent that it can burn your finger. Dont ask me how I know this.

And the burning marks in my finger had nothing to with it, its purely coincidental ;)

Yes I did get both sensors to show, the issue I’m having now is one of them is not displaying the correct temperature. The probe is at room temperature as checked with an ir gun. It is reading correct in the calibration tab but not displaying correctly in the dashboard

see screenshot

No need to curse yourself. This is a learning project, we have all been there. Do you know if you swap the wire (+ve and GND) then the sensor gets hot to an extent that it can burn your finger. Dont ask me how I know this.

And the burning marks in my finger had nothing to with it, its purely coincidental ;)

Both sensors are showing. The first sensor is not displaying the correct temperature on the dashboard but is reading correct in the calibration tab. The probe is at room temperature and verified with an ir temperature gun.
See screenshots

 

[robsworld78]

10 years is 4 reef year :) . Reef-pi is almost 5 years old already

Nice, my first controller sale was Sept 16, 2015. I've learned so much over the years but still know so little, need 10 more years to build my skills and at that time I'll have the ultimate controller, Apex will be shaking at the knees. :)

 

[ReeferLou]

Hi All, just wanted to throw out a reef-pi idea for you. I have figured out a way to use a non-contact optical water level sensor with my Skimmer to detect overflow. I use the ATO feature and invert the skimmer output. so when the sensor sees water it will turn the skimmer off. Here is the sensor I used - it is much smaller in person - just need to add a pullup for the NPN signal to work. I only wish I could tell reefpi to modify the on and off color bars since it is inverted in this case. I cant imagine I'm the only one who fears the occasional skimmer overflow lol EDIT**That pic shows the PNP part but I bought the NPN part**

 

[AbjectMaelstroM]

Hi All, just wanted to throw out a reef-pi idea for you. I have figured out a way to use a non-contact optical water level sensor with my Skimmer to detect overflow. I use the ATO feature and invert the skimmer output. so when the sensor sees water it will turn the skimmer off. Here is the sensor I used - it is much smaller in person - just need to add a pullup for the NPN signal to work. I only wish I could tell reefpi to modify the on and off color bars since it is inverted in this case. I cant imagine I'm the only one who fears the occasional skimmer overflow lol

It doesn't get tripped by foam? Just liquid?

I've tried a different "shape" contactless sensor for the same thing before as I cant fit a float in the cup, but it was getting tripped up by tick foam so yanked it. Still works great on my ATO container as a refill reminder.

 

[ReeferLou]

It doesn't get tripped by foam? Just liquid?

I've tried a different "shape" contactless sensor for the same thing before as I cant fit a float in the cup, but it was getting tripped up by tick foam so yanked it. Still works great on my ATO container as a refill reminder.

There is a sensitivity adjustment on the sensor that I am using. I will say I have not testing it extensively yet, so it may end up with issues. But with initial testing it seems to work. Here is a pic of the setup:

 

[brian.badge]

Tonight I noticed my fuge light was stuck on despite being on a timer. The outlet no longer responds to reef pi behaving like the relay is stuck on. Testing other outlets I see 4 total that have issues and the rest are ok. I assume either the relay has failed or something has happened in the wiring. Any bright ideas? Now that the controller is online I don't want to spend a lot of time troubleshooting .

 

[stefanm]

Tonight I noticed my fuge light was stuck on despite being on a timer. The outlet no longer responds to reef pi behaving like the relay is stuck on. Testing other outlets I see 4 total that have issues and the rest are ok. I assume either the relay has failed or something has happened in the wiring. Any bright ideas? Now that the controller is online I don't want to spend a lot of time troubleshooting .

Seems like an issue with the PWM connections, are you using plug in jumper wires by any chance?

 

[brian.badge]

Seems like an issue with the PWM connections, are you using plug in jumper wires by any chance?

I do have jumpers that slide over pins. Are suggesting that they may have come off?

 

[Des Westcott]

Seems like an issue with the PWM connections, are you using plug in jumper wires by any chance?

I have had quite a few of the "Cheap Chinese" relays get stuck - particularly when the relay controls equipment that requires a transformer - like DC wavemakers

 

[Des Westcott]

Does anyone have an idea why the temp graphs do this on occasion?

 

[Mikeneedsahobby]

Does anyone have an idea why the temp graphs do this on occasion?

I haven’t seen that response before.

 

[Mikeneedsahobby]

I do have jumpers that slide over pins. Are suggesting that they may have come off?

Use a multimeter to follow the signal and find where the problem is. This is most likely a wiring problem.

you should get a switchable 3.3v from the pi to the uln2803 chip. After the uln2803 you should get 5 or 12v on the signal wire to the relay. Check the return path as well.

 

[brian.badge]

I have had quite a few of the "Cheap Chinese" relays get stuck - particularly when the relay controls equipment that requires a transformer - like DC wavemakers

Any suggestions for better quality relays assuming that turns out to be the issue?

 

[Des Westcott]

Any suggestions for better quality relays assuming that turns out to be the issue?

I'm now using the Power bars from Robo-Tank and @robsworld78 uses Omron relays in them.

You can also build a simple snubber circuit to protect the relays.

 

[AbjectMaelstroM]

There is a sensitivity adjustment on the sensor that I am using. I will say I have not testing it extensively yet, so it may end up with issues. But with initial testing it seems to work. Here is a pic of the setup:

Where did you buy it from? I'm game to try it. The one I had is from DFRobot and it also had a 3-level adjustment via push-button on a board, unfortunately, even on the lowest setting it would trip if the foam got thick.