YouGrowBoy
Member
Awesome recap. You could be a professional Project Manager. 
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M
medi-useA
Awesome recap. You could be a professional Project Manager.
Thanks...when I can get the right type of stoned...I can be eloquent and concise with observations...
With the wrong type of stone, I sit, scratch meself and drool!
muA
Heres a basic topping valve built with everyday parts.
This is a toilet valve connected to a garden hose, Plastic bracket is just an ordinary plastic wastebasket cut up. The tank is a garbage can.
Set your desired level of nutirent, and the water will be added back.
I figgure people have better things to do than pour water into tanks.
If you need more details just ask.
M
medi-useA
Th@'s a sweet MacGuyver Job, GGW!...I replaced my toilet float with one of those...Hmm.....I also have the bits and pieces of an old Evap Air Con th@ I wanna use...
Float, pump..taps and tubing...even a bigarsed motor and fan!
I like the way you have used wing nuts instead of wingless nuts...It makes for so much more of a user friendly feel...I have a selection of wingnuts on hand to replace wingless nuts as I can...little things like this help.
I'm thinking th@ a wheelie bin or a half or quarter sized wheelie bin would be an ideal rez with this setup....even if it's only used when you're on holidays...
How reliable do you find the piston float in comparison with a lever float?...mine stuck a lot for the first 3 weeks and I had to use half my toolkit on it..{Duct tape to stop stuff moving and WD40 to get stuff moving!} before it worked smoothly.
This is such a simple concept!
Thank you for posting it!
muA
...I also have the bits and pieces of an old Evap Air Con th@ I wanna use...Float, pump..taps and tubing...even a bigarsed motor and fan!
I like the way you have used wing nuts instead of wingless nuts...It makes for so much more of a user friendly feel...I have a selection of wingnuts on hand to replace wingless nuts as I can...little things like this help.
I'm thinking th@ a wheelie bin or a half or quarter sized wheelie bin would be an ideal rez with this setup....even if it's only used when you're on holidays...
How reliable do you find the piston float in comparison with a lever float?...mine stuck a lot for the first 3 weeks and I had to use half my toolkit on it..{Duct tape to stop stuff moving and WD40 to get stuff moving!
} before it worked smoothly.This is such a simple concept!
Thank you for posting it!
muA
Th@'s a sweet MacGuyver Job, GGW!...I replaced my toilet float with one of those...Hmm..
Float, pump..taps and tubing...even a bigarsed motor and fan!
I like the way you have used wing nuts instead of wingless nuts...It makes for so much more of a user friendly feel...I have a selection of wingnuts on hand to replace wingless nuts as I can...little things like this help.
I'm thinking th@ a wheelie bin or a half or quarter sized wheelie bin would be an ideal rez with this setup....even if it's only used when you're on holidays...
How reliable do you find the piston float in comparison with a lever float?...mine stuck a lot for the first 3 weeks and I had to use half my toolkit on it..{Duct tape to stop stuff moving and WD40 to get stuff moving!
This is such a simple concept!
Thank you for posting it!
muA
I suppose any toilet valve could be used. I cant say how smoothly this setup will work, its still being tested.
So in all honesty, I dont know how well the piston style float works.
If in fact the piston style doesnt function as promised I will make a note of it and change the design.
The wing nuts serve 2 purposes.
1. The level can be adjusted for the float. and the float has adjustablity. So thats roughly 8 inches of adjustment.
2. Serviceablity, If the float assembly needs to be removed, its a time saver not to be searching for tools. BTW the hardware is Stainless.
M
medi-useA
my only prob was it sticking...{after I had installed it just right} so if you can solve th@ in a way th@ won't contaminate your res...you're off and running!
The wing nuts serve 2 purposes.
1. The level can be adjusted for the float. and the float has adjustablity. So thats roughly 8 inches of adjustment.
2. Serviceablity, If the float assembly needs to be removed, its a time saver not to be searching for tools. BTW the hardware is Stainless.
Both good points!...
muA
Quick post on PLC.
Programmable Logic Controler.
Well this thing is more like a smart relay.
Now I suppose you guys could go with other solutions, that have data logging, and a slick user interface, but I like this thing.
12 120V/240V AC inputs.
4 relay outputs.
This goes beyond your basic timer.
Possible solutions with this.
- Use as a pump timer for your hydroponics res, and this could control timed nutrient dump and changeout.
- Combo light control and fan control.
- Attach to a low RPM motor, and use a photocell to move lights up, like a canopy sensor.
My last application of this unit was a aeroponic timer and temp fan control.
Programmable Logic Controler.
Well this thing is more like a smart relay.
Now I suppose you guys could go with other solutions, that have data logging, and a slick user interface, but I like this thing.
12 120V/240V AC inputs.
4 relay outputs.
This goes beyond your basic timer.
Possible solutions with this.
- Use as a pump timer for your hydroponics res, and this could control timed nutrient dump and changeout.
- Combo light control and fan control.
- Attach to a low RPM motor, and use a photocell to move lights up, like a canopy sensor.
My last application of this unit was a aeroponic timer and temp fan control.
Hephaestus
Member
GGW - Yeah it's that ugly ladder logic programming that kills me I've got a bunch of mistubishi fx14mr's kicking around I could be playing with - but the programming makes me crazy 
I've got a bunch of mistubishi fx14mr's kicking around I could be playing with - but the programming makes me crazy
M
medi-useA
Hephaestus...you need logic programming to make you crazy?...All I need is no weed!
hehehehe
GGW, will look into this when I'm not so wasted...
Is this of any use to plc users?
Thanks for posting.
muA
Hephaestus..All 3 of my tv's have died....any parts in them th@ might be salvageable? NEC ROWA and Sanyo brands
or any one else's suggestions.
I figure there have to be some bits I can salvage!
Can you think of uses for remotes?...I have 10 or more...
hehehehe
GGW, will look into this when I'm not so wasted...
Is this of any use to plc users?
Thanks for posting.
muA
Hephaestus..All 3 of my tv's have died....any parts in them th@ might be salvageable? NEC ROWA and Sanyo brands
or any one else's suggestions.
I figure there have to be some bits I can salvage!
Can you think of uses for remotes?...I have 10 or more...
Hephaestus
Member
Dunno - been at least 10 years since I've ripped a tv apart... Come to think of it - wasn't so much ripping apart as it was tv disposal... It "let out the magic smoke" while we were stoned, and on the 15th storey - knowing it wouldn't fit down the Chute... And well the parking lot was closed/emptied for spring cleanup...
It made a really cool sound when it hit
Probably could use the remote with some kind of IR receiver setup for remote control - but that might not be a good thing... I can see my wife picking it up and pressing buttons trying to turn on a tv...
It made a really cool sound when it hit
Probably could use the remote with some kind of IR receiver setup for remote control - but that might not be a good thing... I can see my wife picking it up and pressing buttons trying to turn on a tv...
M
medi-useA
Hehehe...aint anarchy great!Dunno - been at least 10 years since I've ripped a tv apart... Come to think of it - wasn't so much ripping apart as it was tv disposal... It "let out the magic smoke" while we were stoned, and on the 15th storey - knowing it wouldn't fit down the Chute... And well the parking lot was closed/emptied for spring cleanup...
It made a really cool sound when it hit
I thought some of the actual buttons and switches might be of use...Think there might be anything on th pcb's th@ might be worth stripping?
Getting a soldering iron as well as an aduino starter kit, so could use the practice with the iron...
I'm keeping the remotes...@ worst I've for a shitload of IR devices
Might just rip out the pcb's and switches and put them away for parts when I'm tinkering...
Thought I might look and see if any parts needed are on the pcb's.
Did you get your bitsNbobs?
muA
Hephaestus
Member
Nope, no IC's still.. UPS says... Still in winnipeg waiting for customs clearance. I hate UPS and apparently they hate me...
GGW - Yeah it's that ugly ladder logic programming that kills me
I'm no EE or programmer. A basic routine, can be made by an average joe like me in an afternoon. I admit it took me a few attempts to get things running right.
The pico's have a recent program upgrade. Ver 6 is nice, I like it.
I've kinda looked at the mitsubishi's PLC's. I do believe a user here is using it for his E&F grow to control flood times and res fillup.
I mentioned ladder logic to him and he said the mitsubshi's programming language was easier than the allen bradley.
Heck. if you have a bunch of Mistu PLC's laying around, gimme one, I showed another local grower my use of a PLC, and he wants me to install one.
But yeah.. ladder logic is an odd duck.
M
medi-useA
GGW, after Christmas I will get back to you about PLC's...
I'm researching them now...I think they deserve a bit of research and a write up!
Hep...patience, man...there's Postal strikes and foul weather the world 'round @ the moment..
If the parts arrive after the Fat Man Rides Again, it don't matter!
muA
I'm researching them now...I think they deserve a bit of research and a write up!
Hep...patience, man...there's Postal strikes and foul weather the world 'round @ the moment..
If the parts arrive after the Fat Man Rides Again, it don't matter!
muA
Hephaestus
Member
Um... Postal strike? Shouldn't really effect a UPS next day air delivery...
I think the brown has redflagged me... They're just out to piss me off lately - I've actually got 6 active traces going with them (mix of work and personal); I'm getting to be on a first name basis with their call staff
I think the brown has redflagged me... They're just out to piss me off lately - I've actually got 6 active traces going with them (mix of work and personal); I'm getting to be on a first name basis with their call staff
M
medi-useA
When ya get to sharing a spliff with 'em you're set!...keep working @ it!
muA
muA
Hephaestus
Member
Repeat after me "Tell no-one"
M
medi-useA
Repeat after me "Tell no-one"
He...no need if tellin'....if you can convince 'him' to bring out the spliff!
hehe
Hava a great holiday one and all!
muA
Hephaestus
Member
Thanks you too
M
medi-useA
KISS...I love the principle...and I love growing any type of plant...
But I also get a hankerin' for tinkering and this is hopefully a productive outlet
If you've experience with Automation, please feel free to sick around...we all have queries, I'm sure.
There are many levels of automation...
Something as simple as GrowerGoneWild's res float top up doohicky can have great use for one grower...another may want to purchase a unit for a set purpose...or Completely Automate the Lot!
Some of us are mad enough to attempt to build our own!...
As to keeping the grow safer...I'm all for th@!
Th@s another section I'm gonna have to work on...electrical safety. A very important subject!
randude101 keep dropping by...in the new year I hope to post up an updated rewrite and expand on a few things...
Have a great Holiday, wherever you are!
muA
