Boston Reefers Evolving Arduino Build

[jason401]

Jason I know you talked about it and originally planned on a video,then if someone can't make a meeting they could watch an instructional video.

Yeah, at some point we'll have videos for the library.

 

[craigk]

Coming from a similar perspective. A couple of weeks ago I traded emails with Atlas Support about their PH prob and the Neptune claims.
It seems relevant to the discussion. I've summarized the key parts of the conversation.

...
On Neptune System's site they make a claim that their implementation is more accurate because of "Galvanic Isolation for accurate and reliable probe readings."
http://www.neptunesystems.com/products/expansion-modules/phorp/
...

Response from Jordan @ atlas. Really cool guy.

...
Yes, Neptune is 100% correct. This is a major issue.
Well, not all the time but when it does come up…it a big deal.
We have an isolator that removes this issue.
Within the next few weeks we are going to open source it so anyone can build it.
However, if you just want to buy it:
https://www.atlas-scientific.com/product_pages/embedded/pwr-iso.html
...


I've not had time to revisit the topic and order anything from them.
I want to get my Raspberry Pi polling the Arduino probes, controlling the relays and logging the data before investing the money in additional sensors.

 

[MrX]

I've spent some time and have a basic web server running on the Netduino. Right now I can do the following:

- Set the date/time via NTP
- Configure network settings
- Poll the temp sensors and display the results
- Save/load settings from MicroSD card on the board
- Serve up web pages from the MicroSD card
- Working on the temp data graph

Here's a couple screen shots...

First is the current main page. Displays date/time and current temp probe values:




Next is the settings/configuration page:

 

[RiverRat]

That is awesome.....well done!

 

[ro_nicu]

COOLLLL!!!
And I thought achieving a gibberish over serial port was all I could ever hope for, ...
how much memory does it take? would a nice menu like that still leave space on the ROM for implementing other functions?

 

[MrX]

COOLLLL!!!
And I thought achieving a gibberish over serial port was all I could ever hope for, ...
how much memory does it take? would a nice menu like that still leave space on the ROM for implementing other functions?

I haven't looked into any numbers yet as far as how much of the available memory I'm using on the Netduino. At some point I will, but not until I've got a better idea of the "final product" and a better baseline implementation of my code.

The web pages are served off the Netduino's MicroSD card, so those files aren't taking up any of the limited memory

Right now the Netduino is running:

• - NTP Service to keep the time sync'd
• - Web Server to receive and send responses
• - Temperature Logging Service to poll the temp sensor, currently just one of them, and log the date/time/temp/etc. to a log file on the MicroSD card.
• - Code to set Network Configuration Settings based on the user settings (DHCP, etc.). I have the Netduino configured to DHCP, and my Router has a reservation for the Netduino's MAC address so it always hands it the same IP Address.

I'm fighting with some Internet Explorer issues and JavaScript/JQuery which is blocking me a little now. Once I get that resolved and firm up my code for the website I'll get back to making things a little more dynamic, useful, and prettier.

 

[ro_nicu]

I would be HIGHLY interested in something like this webserver.
What is the concept behind making things more dynamic and controllable? Do you write a file via that webserver and than another part of the code uses the file to control things according to the data in the file or does it update on the fly?

from what I read about arduino webservers most of the people bump into the ROM size limitation when trying to build something more complex controllable via web - might want to look into code size upfront.

 

[MrX]

What is the concept behind making things more dynamic and controllable? Do you write a file via that webserver and than another part of the code uses the file to control things according to the data in the file or does it update on the fly?

from what I read about arduino webservers most of the people bump into the ROM size limitation when trying to build something more complex controllable via web - might want to look into code size upfront.

What I meant by "dynamic and controllable" is more flexible settings for what the device is set up to do. So like the Apex where you can assign each device an ID and then 'program' that device to do something. Whether it be turning on/off a relay at a certain time, polling the temperature, etc. Right now in my code most things are hard-coded and can't change on the fly.

I'm not using an Arduino right now, I'm using a Netduino Plus 2. It has 384kb of code storage and 100kb of RAM. It uses the .NET Micro Framework and C# to program it.

If I hit any limits for what I try to do I'll look into using a Raspberry PI as the main controller and then slave the Netduino off that.

 

[ro_nicu]

would that not be too limiting considering it only has 4 PWM outputs? my understanding is that a lot of people would like to have this control lights on top of the other gadgets and only 4 PWM would mare it really challenging.

 

[Phinfan]

I can't speak for everyone but most led lights come with there own form of controller, most wireless. I personally don't care if this runs lights. For me being able to monitor tank parameters from the web is good enough for me. Just my 2 cents. Anyway all this could be implemented using an arduino? I am thinking about getting the netduino after seeing what Mr x has done. Well done Mrx.

 

[RiverRat]

My lights have a controller (also can't speak for everyone).......I will be using my DIY controller for temp monitoring, heaters and fans on/off, and pH monitoring.

MrX has done a great job....I am jealous of his initiative.....most of my stuff is still in the box.

 

[MrX]

would that not be too limiting considering it only has 4 PWM outputs? my understanding is that a lot of people would like to have this control lights on top of the other gadgets and only 4 PWM would mare it really challenging.

I haven't really done an inventory of the available ports on either the Arduino or Netduino compared to what I might want to run on it. The lights on my RSM C-250 can't be controlled (other than on/off) so I'm not worried about that right now.

Even if the board has limits there are always add-on boards, or like I mentioned earlier, running these boards as slaves off a Raspberry Pi or something similar.

I can't speak for everyone but most led lights come with there own form of controller, most wireless. I personally don't care if this runs lights. For me being able to monitor tank parameters from the web is good enough for me. Just my 2 cents. Anyway all this could be implemented using an arduino? I am thinking about getting the netduino after seeing what Mr x has done. Well done Mrx.

Arduino can do all the things I've done so far. I just chose to buy a Netduino because I program Microsoft .NET for a living every day. That and I gave DaughterX my Arduino for the build project so I didn't have to buy that part.

MrX has done a great job....I am jealous of his initiative.....most of my stuff is still in the box.

I'd rather be doing this than some other projects I should be working on. *grin* If I could just get my website layout working the way I want I could move on to something new like the float switch or the LCD that should be here tomorrow.

Speaking of which, I ordered a 20x4 LCD panel with back-plane (simplifies the wiring) and some test cables for wiring the relay box with a standard Ethernet cord. Right now the 4-port relay box requires 6 wires to go to the Arduino/Netduino. My thought is to mount one of these connections in the relay box and use 6 of the 8 wires to connect to the controller. If it looks like it will work I'll order more for use on the other side that will house the controller itself.

--

Has anyone thought about what they are going to enclose the controller and relay box in?

 

[Phinfan]

Mr x do you mind sharing the lcd you bought and is it color, or a touch screen. Don't you think a touch screen would be nice? I would love to see an LCD incorperated into this project soon. I like to see what is being monitored.
I was thinking something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/HOT-2-4-TFT...901?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item48666fbfa5
Was also wondering about the housing, if anyone here has access to a 3d printer or some sort of blow molding.

 

[RiverRat]

Has anyone thought about what they are going to enclose the controller and relay box in?

I am planning on something similar to this, only it is larger and has a cover (I can't find it on the website, but I saw it in Home Depot).
I also picked up some snap in power sockets.

For the screen, I have a 7 inch LCD usually used cars for rear view (figured I wouldn't be interacting with the screen enough to make it a touchscreen).

 

[ro_nicu]

those a nice enclosure boxes, not VERY appealing visually but totally functional - i've had one on an outside wall, at the mercy of the elements for the last 2 years and it keeps everything protected and dry, just make sure the gasket is installed correctly.
I personally would prefer at least 6 channels of PWM as I have 2 types of whites, 2 types of blue and 1 violet and an ultra violet on the tank light, plus the sump / refugium light. 4 channels would mean I have to gang together not only the violet / ultraviolet but all the the whites together and than the blues together in order to keep control of the refugium light. I guess it might do; I will try tonight to see if the color still balances to my liking.
On the other hand the web interface is something that is REALLY appealing.

I think it would be really nice to figure out a set of minimum requirements (pin wise) for the board that would satisfy the requirements of most of us and than work on this together. If anybody else thinks along the same lines please let me know.

 

[JohnK]

This place has endless enclosure options if anyone is interested;
http://www.polycase.com/?_ctcoderef=goog-ppc&gclid=CPm8xYWQwbUCFYSe4Aodi1wAhg

 

[MrX]

Mr x do you mind sharing the lcd you bought and is it color, or a touch screen. Don't you think a touch screen would be nice? I would love to see an LCD incorperated into this project soon. I like to see what is being monitored.
I was thinking something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/HOT-2-4-TFT...901?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item48666fbfa5

I just bought a generic 20x4 (4 lines, 20 characters each) white-on-blue LCD from AdaFruit. I figured this was I could play around with some more stuff and get a little feedback from the device in a glance. [http://www.adafruit.com/products/198 and the backpack listed at the bottom]

I would love a color screen or touch screen but the quick searches I did mostly said the Arduino/Netduino wasn't really powerful enough to run them properly.

The screen you list is a 'shield' so you just plug it into the Arduino. Doesn't look like it has any pass-through or anything so wouldn't you lose all the other pins/connections?

For the screen, I have a 7 inch LCD usually used cars for rear view (figured I wouldn't be interacting with the screen enough to make it a touchscreen).

Have you looked into what it's going to take to run that, power/connection wise, and from a programming perspective? Are there examples of using a 7" screen out on the web?

I think it would be really nice to figure out a set of minimum requirements (pin wise) for the board that would satisfy the requirements of most of us and than work on this together. If anybody else thinks along the same lines please let me know.

Feel free to work up a list/configuration and post it here. I don't know enough about each 'add-on' people would want and the specific requirements for each one; never mind the fact that everyone is going to want to different things with their controller.

This place has endless enclosure options if anyone is interested;
http://www.polycase.com/?_ctcoderef=goog-ppc&gclid=CPm8xYWQwbUCFYSe4Aodi1wAhg

Thanks John! I took a quick look and saw some possibilities. Will have to spend more time on the site later tonight.


--

Here's some links to the RJ45/Ethernet connectors I'm trying out. I'm picturing mounting these in the enclosure so I could use standard CAT5 cables between the controller and the relay box(es):

http://www.adafruit.com/products/909

http://www.adafruit.com/products/827

 

[RiverRat]

Have you looked into what it's going to take to run that, power/connection wise, and from a programming perspective? Are there examples of using a 7" screen out on the web?

I am using a Raspberry Pi, it has RCA out and HDMI out native. No need to program for the screen, it isn't a touch screen. Nice and easy for me, the master of procrastination

For the Arduino, this may be a starting point to work from: http://www.instructables.com/id/TV-Out-with-Arduino/
Probably not the ideal situation, but maybe you can expand from there.

 

[Phinfan]

Also Mr X I think you should trade mark that reef valet !

How about someone set up a survey of what everyone might want and we could work from there.
just think with an lcd at least we would know what the controller was doing.

 

[MrX]

Also Mr X I think you should trade mark that reef valet !

How about someone set up a survey of what everyone might want and we could work from there.
just think with an lcd at least we would know what the controller was doing.

I claim copyright on 'Reef Valet' now. I don't have the money to trademark it, but my posts are evidence of when I came up with the name.

I started a 'functionality' poll here: http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums...0-Arduino-Netduino-Project-Functionality-Poll

It's set to close in 14 days.