With great satisfaction I present my latest work of DIY
I think a picture is much better than 1000 words!
Features
1) Manual on / off
to 8 devices in high voltage
2) Timer and clock
Allows you to set a time on and off for each outlet.
In case of power failure the clock will be preserved thanks to a battery.
3) Temperature Monitoring
constant temperature with accuracy to hundredths of a degree (23.55 °), visual display. Ability to display minimum and maximum temperature of the day with time. N-
thermostat thresholds (currently managed only a fourth and less than 3). For example you can set: below 25.7 heater switch on, turn on the fan above 5.26, above the 27 ° and above 28 degrees cooler off the HQI. Delta configurable thresholds.
5) If set
delay after delay, prevent a device from immediately after a shutdown. For example, to prevent the metal halide light up immediately after a shutdown.
6) 2 osmoregulation
Using floating probes allows for the automatic refilling. Report visually mancaza osmosis water in the tank (red LED). In case of lack of water suspended The top up and prevents the pump topping from burning. The delay ensures that top-ups will not occur which could lead to prolonged flooding.
7) Ph
pH monitoring.
8) Blackout
specific to the system a chance to say a device that in case of blackout lights. It is also possible to know the date and time start and end of the last blackout.
9) automatic feeder
I changed my manger EHEIM. Now you can make that is synchronized with circulation pumps, and then go off for 5 minutes.
UI
The user interface is very simple. The menus are numbered eg.
1.Temperature 2.Ph
The same applies to the sub-menu.
both pH and temperature are equipped with self-calibration, respectively, up 2 points and one point.
Realization
I tell you immediately that it was not a walk, for months, the evening after work, I devoted myself heart and soul to this achievement.
The controller is based on an open source hardware for the Italian production called "Arduino" (http://www.arduino.cc/). E'ormai popular in quite as versatile and economical. Featuring onboard programmer, USB port is very convenient to set (for me, a computer).
Many manufacturers have so-called "shield" or cards that are inserted literally sull'arduino equipping of additional features, such as Ethernet, GSM, etc. .. Although powerful
arduino alone is of little use without proper RTC (real time clock), for the uninitiated a clock can keep track of time passing.
Same question goes for the keyboard and display. Before finding the right components I had to try on my skin the most varied problems .. but in the end the components have been identified and wired together.
I opted for a membrane keypad 3x4, 4x20 backlit LCD BLU.
for connections to various sensors for ease of assembly I was directed to common RCA jacks. To connect the power unit I chose a RS232 (serial port).
For the power unit, which is the part which is responsible for driving the output high voltage, I used a pre-packaged form, to have already implemented a pcb without loosing too much head. I inserted the card in a special container with IP66 and RS232 port.
As regards the part of the transducers, ie those components that are used to acquire information from the outside, I used:
For the temperature sensor: LM35DZ
I had to make it 4 probes to identify each kind of problem. Some of the mechanical assembly (infiltration of water) nature of other electronic means (magnetic interference disorders of neon). To end of the probe that came out is really good with very high precision.
for pH I used an amplifier operation at the highest level. On the ph
I studied for several months. After several attempts and more than 10 different types of operational I have identified what appears to be the best (mouse secret :-).
Clearly, the probe has a BNC connector, consequently, the unit was equipped with BNC
similar to the floats I used the common floating vertical coupling through rca very comfortable.
A photo of the complete system
Reliability
To date, the unit is running on my tank for about 1 month and I must say that is behaving very well, except for small bug that I am making from time to time. The Arduino is very good, it really is a gem made in italy.
Future
Unfortunately for the study of the investment component has not been recently, so have a little catch up with developments.
Anyway the next thing I will realize is the combination of SMS alert and management of the redox probe ...
If anyone is interested in participating actively in the project, being willing to invest time and money can contact me by email.
Here is a photo of the integrated controller in the side panel of the cabinet
