lduncan Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 As some may know, i'm in the process of designing my own aquarium controller. I've updated my web site with some (very basic) information about it: http://www.reefcentral.co.nz/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=10&MMN_position=18:18 Any feature suggestions would be welcomed. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted June 29, 2004 Report Share Posted June 29, 2004 cool dude. how are you going to test your prototype? not on your main tank i hope! are you setting up a test tank to try it out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeBlog Posted December 7, 2004 Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 Hey Layton- How is the work on your controller coming along? Any progress? Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted December 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 Funny you should ask, I managed to get some work done on it today. The first time for months. The next step it to get a circuit board manufactured (overseas) so I can put together a prototype with more memory so i can finish writing the software. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted December 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2004 I hope everyone had a merry Christmas! Well now that I have some more time to work on this project, I thought scene my website is no longer up, i'd list the feature planned for the controller, if anyone has any other features which they would like to add, feel free to let me know. Interface: 128 x 64 pixel graphic display Can be administered through a web interface (similar to a jetstream router) Connectors: Ethernet (for network/internet connection) USB (for eventual interfacing to a webcam to provide video stream of the tank over the internet) 1-Wire port, used to interface Dallas 1-wire devices, such as temperature probes switches, etc. 12 digital inputs for float switches over temperature sensors etc. 12 digital outputs for controlled power sockets. 8 analogue inputs for pH probes and other Ion Selective Electrodes. Alarm Notifications: Email SMS Audible Siren Currently I'm waiting on some new processors from the states so I can put together a new prototype with more memory so I can finish writing the software. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scholesy Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 sounds pretty whizzy Layton. Are you programming it on a PIC controller or something like that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted January 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 PIC Arghhh! Definately not, I hate them. At the moment it's on an AVR mega128, but looking seriously at an ARM7 processor, just to beef it up, if it has to handle video streaming in the future. I've just ordered a whole lot of parts for some prototypes, got the DS1820 1-wire temperature sensors last week. I put together a temp controller over the weekend, just tuning the control algorithm this week. I'll get some photo's up tomorrow, when my camera arrives back. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scholesy Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 Sounds cool. I built a very simple little device using 4 comparators, an LM35 temp sensor and an ADC all hooked up to a big PC fan. There are 4 thresholds: cold alarm, heater on, fan on, hot alarm. If the temp exceeds the fan on temp, the little fan is enough to drop the temp. If too hot or too cold, it (once wired) fires a loud alarm. The heater on signal (once wired) will switch a 240V heater on. So far so good. Looking forward to see your pics! Speaking on which, I am going to take the next step from components and invesitgate PICs this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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