Reef Pi Build

[Diamond1]

So, this is the pi "hat" then?

Yes sir it is. @wykat did a great job designing this. It's very easy to populate so far.

 

[speedstar]

Very nice where are these done through so I may order my own? OSHpark?

I had mine come from china, jlcpcb 2 weeks to my door for like $20.

 

[speedstar]

Well I ordered 10 of them. Since 10 was the same price as 5. So if anyone wants one......

Missed you was just getting ready to send you a pm as I had one left.

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

Missed you was just getting ready to send you a pm as I had one left.

Its all good my man. I spent 26 bucks with 3-4 day DHL shipping for 10. Much better than OSH park. I got em in black as well.

 

[ScottBrew]

Yes sir it is. @wykat did a great job designing this. It's very easy to populate so far.

Guess if I had read a couple posts down, would have seen the assembly guide! DOH!

 

[Matt Carden]

@Jonathan Troutt can you share a link to the project box you ordered? The biggest I can find are 7"x5"x3". Thanks

 

[Matt Carden]

I am in the ordering process of building a reef-pi with the initial goal of controlling lighting with a power control unit but with the intention of expanding in the future. My tank is only 4 weeks old so I have awhile til I need dosing pumps, etc. Following along and great build thread!

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

@Matt Carden Sure thing man. They have all size even bigger than this one just select what you want in the drop down box. I havnt purchased one yet still trying to decide what I am gonna do. Build or not to build...the box that is.

https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-320mm...=1544323566&sr=1-22&keywords=project+box&th=1

 

[Diamond1]

I am in the ordering process of building a reef-pi with the initial goal of controlling lighting with a power control unit but with the intention of expanding in the future. My tank is only 4 weeks old so I have awhile til I need dosing pumps, etc. Following along and great build thread!

Thanks for following along. Hope to see your build thread soon.

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

@Diamond1 Hey man so the optical sensor you are using...how reliable is it? I was thinking tonight about the ability to add in a flow meter have the PI read from it when the ATO pump kicks on. In case of sensor failure then flow meter would allow PI to know how much is being put into the tank.

https://www.adafruit.com/product/828

 

[Diamond1]

@Diamond1 Hey man so the optical sensor you are using...how reliable is it? I was thinking tonight about the ability to add in a flow meter have the PI read from it when the ATO pump kicks on. In case of sensor failure then flow meter would allow PI to know how much is being put into the tank.

https://www.adafruit.com/product/828

As far as I can tell the Optical sensor is very reliable. I haven't had any issues with it so far.

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

Ok thank you sir. Just thinking about redundancy.

 

[Diamond1]

Ok thank you sir. Just thinking about redundancy.

I asked @Ranjib about this flow sensor a while ago and he said it's not supported in reef pi. It may be something he revisits in a future release though.

 

[Diamond1]

Started assembling the new pi hat.
I'm still waiting on a few parts to get here but got a good portion of the parts on it.

I have to say that this is my new favorite reef-pi building tool.
I picked it up on ebay this week and it works surprisingly well considering it only cost 24 bucks. Makes soldering a breeze.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GAOYUE-936...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

 

[Diamond1]

I'm still trying to figure out how i want to do the uln2803 to relay connections from the pi hat. I'm leaning towards just using wires into a terminal block. I will also not be using the 3.5mm jack for the temp probe I have some mini xlr connectors coming.

 

[ScottBrew]

I'm still trying to figure out how i want to do the uln2803 to relay connections from the pi hat. I'm leaning towards just using wires into a terminal block. I will also not be using the 3.5mm jack for the temp probe I have some mini xlr connectors coming.

Looking good! A soldering station is huge jump up from a standard soldering iron.

 

[Ranjib]

Started assembling the new pi hat.
I'm still waiting on a few parts to get here but got a good portion of the parts on it.

I have to say that this is my new favorite reef-pi building tool.
I picked it up on ebay this week and it works surprisingly well considering it only cost 24 bucks. Makes soldering a breeze.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GAOYUE-936-110V-SMD-Electric-Soldering-Station-Solder-Iron-Welding-Kit-W-4-Tips/371505966012?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Clean :-) .

 

[Diamond1]

Some updated progress on the rebuild.
Everything is pretty much soldered up and being tested.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Some updated progress on the rebuild.
Everything is pretty much soldered up and being tested.

Well done, it is looking very nice!

 

[b4tn]

That looks very clean. I have a hat on the way as well thanks to @speedstar It sure will simplify a lot of wiring.