Troutt's Reef-Pi Build

Jonathan Troutt

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So I told @Ranjib and @Diamond1 that I would start a thread when I started building things. So here it is!

I am still waiting on the actual Raspberry Pi to get here but I figured while I was waiting I could start building the power box. The box is of course unfinished. The top still needs a couple hinges and the whole thing needs painted. I built the box large so if I ever want to I can add 8 more outlets.

I am going to wire the outlets up an then pause till the PI gets here. Hopefully tomorrow but tues at the latest.

I am planning on having power obviously, Temp, PH, ATO, powerhead controllers, eventually lighting control and dosing as well. I figure if it can support it then imma do it.

Maybe along the way I will learn enough to be able to help add features that are not available currently.

59960F17-52FC-495B-82DC-8520F5D883C9.jpeg


F1AB04DE-F36D-4292-8C93-6133847353A2.jpeg


Money Spent....

4 outlets - $12.00
Outlet cover - $3.00
Wood for box - $10.00
14/3 25ft Romex- $17.97
Sainsmart 8Ch Relay - $8.98
5pcs DS18B20 - $15.99
1m DB9 Cable - $5.00
6x LM2596 Buck - $10.98
6 color wire kit 25ft rolls - $14.99
12pcs DC power jack - $6.50
2 Switchcraft 3.5mm TRS plug - $12.00
2 3.5mm Socket - $4.52
3 BNC Panel Mounts - $7.80
Uxcell project box - $22.59
PCA9685 - $6.99
5 RFP30N06LE(Mosfet) - $8.99 ------Didn't end up using these.
4 Cat5e Keystone jacks - $10.00
10 Wykat Hats(not PWM) - $6.98 (message me if you want one)
10 Reef-pi PH-ORP PCB's - $6.98 (Willing to assemble and ship PM for details)

I will continue to update this list as I add modules.
 
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Jonathan Troutt

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I was gonna take some time on this and make it really nice but then it hit me that no one is ever gonna see it. So I went cheap but effective. The controller on the other hand is a different story.

I have some old lcd screens laying around in many different sizes. Am toying with the idea of installing one on the top of the enclosure for the controller. I like to be able to walk by the tank and see certain parameters so doing this would accomplish that.
 

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So I told @Ranjib and @Diamond1 that I would start a thread when I started building things. So here it is!

I am still waiting on the actual Raspberry Pi to get here but I figured while I was waiting I could start building the power box. The box is of course unfinished. The top still needs a couple hinges and the whole thing needs painted. I built the box large so if I ever want to I can add 8 more outlets.

I am going to wire the outlets up an then pause till the PI gets here. Hopefully tomorrow but tues at the latest.

I am planning on having power obviously, Temp, PH, ATO, powerhead controllers, eventually lighting control and dosing as well. I figure if it can support it then imma do it.

Maybe along the way I will learn enough to be able to help add features that are not available currently.

59960F17-52FC-495B-82DC-8520F5D883C9.jpeg


F1AB04DE-F36D-4292-8C93-6133847353A2.jpeg

Nice start! Sounds like you have a plan.
 

Diamond1

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Noobs is an installer for Raspbian. It just made things easier for me since I have limited programing experience. If you buy an SD card with noobs it will have raspbian too.
 
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Jonathan Troutt

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Noobs is an installer for Raspbian. It just made things easier for me since I have limited programing experience. If you buy an SD card with noobs it will have raspbian too.

Ah ok I am going to use an SD card that I have. I am trying to figure out where to download Noobs.
 

Ranjib

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@Ranjib Quick question for ya....Noobs or Raspbian? Whats the difference? @Diamond1 Why did you choose NOOBS over Raspian?
Does not matter as long as you run Linux . I went with raspbian as it is most popular. Noobs is not really an os, it’s a temporary thing that help you choose an os,
 

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Jonathan Troutt

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Awesome and thanks for sharing... Reminds me i need to update mine, but its not on my tank, just my water station. Looks sharp thus far

Hey thanks I appreciate that. I’m not spending a lot of time on the outlet box since it is gonna be hidden.

I put some putty on it last night to fill in the wood grain that the primer didn’t get. Well the paint wasn’t dry and the putty ended up softening the paint. Lol it was a mess. So I let it all dry and gave it a quick sanding. Still looks messy but oh well. Lol
 

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Hey thanks I appreciate that. I’m not spending a lot of time on the outlet box since it is gonna be hidden.

I put some putty on it last night to fill in the wood grain that the primer didn’t get. Well the paint wasn’t dry and the putty ended up softening the paint. Lol it was a mess. So I let it all dry and gave it a quick sanding. Still looks messy but oh well. Lol
like you said, this piece isnt a visual part, so laugh at the lesson and move forward :D
 
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Jonathan Troutt

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Hey guys mailman just dropped off one of my order. Question about the raspberry PI and heat. I ordered the heat sink but the Proto board will not fit on the top of the PI with the heat sink on. How hot do these CPU’s get? Should I mount the proto board elsewhere or what?

Gotta love the soldering!

@Ranjib @Diamond1

77C147EE-49C9-4DCA-AF1C-CEC01F082057.jpeg


10D70388-0518-4160-BD31-11058D8CF117.jpeg
 

Ranjib

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Hey guys mailman just dropped off one of my order. Question about the raspberry PI and heat. I ordered the heat sink but the Proto board will not fit on the top of the PI with the heat sink on. How hot do these CPU’s get? Should I mount the proto board elsewhere or what?

Gotta love the soldering!

@Ranjib @Diamond1

77C147EE-49C9-4DCA-AF1C-CEC01F082057.jpeg


10D70388-0518-4160-BD31-11058D8CF117.jpeg
I would say dont attach the heat sink right now, and build/run reef-pi for sometime to check how hot it gets, then attach the heatsink if need be. There are small form factor heatsinks that would fit.
 
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Jonathan Troutt

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I would say dont attach the heat sink right now, and build/run reef-pi for sometime to check how hot it gets, then attach the heatsink if need be. There are small form factor heatsinks that would fit.

True I mean I have the ability to cut it down. Hell i probably have a small heatsink at home that would fit. I am gonna look if not I will see how she does
 

Diamond1

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Hey guys mailman just dropped off one of my order. Question about the raspberry PI and heat. I ordered the heat sink but the Proto board will not fit on the top of the PI with the heat sink on. How hot do these CPU’s get? Should I mount the proto board elsewhere or what?

Gotta love the soldering!

@Ranjib @Diamond1

77C147EE-49C9-4DCA-AF1C-CEC01F082057.jpeg


10D70388-0518-4160-BD31-11058D8CF117.jpeg

Keep an eye on the temp running without a heatsink. I had one burn up on me getting too hot.

Great looking solder joints!!
 

ScottBrew

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Looking like progress is being made! The pi3b+ was redesigned from the 3b to run cooler. You may not even need the heatsink. From Raspbian, you can put the processor temp tool in your toolbar.
 

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