Computer monitoring/logging of tds, ppm, ph, etc

[Guest]

I'm wondering if anyone has setup or knows of a setup where the various grow parameters could be monitored and logged for tracking/graphing purposes.

Ideally, I'd want to monitor pH, PPM, room temp and res temp.

I know Growtronix has something like this, but they still have no pH or TDS sensors.....shame too, as the system is quite reasonable.

Does anyone know of any other systems out there for purchase or that one could put together themselves to do this type of data logging to a PC?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mace_ecam]

I could be wrong, but some stationary meters for EC and pH should have an RS232 interface or similar.

 

[mrwags]

Get a Tri-Meter and have many mnay restfull nights knowing your girls are in the SWEET zone. As far as using a computer to log this I believe Sinfuldreams is the man to ask.


Mr.Wags

 

[foaf]

I use a home automation controller, the stargate, and it is very robust and can take analogue inputs and rs232 ect. I dont have many ph issues but I do have it log nutrient useage and to some extent ppm measures. When my hannah ppm controller kicks on the peristaltic pump to pump the nutrients, it also turns on a software timer in the controller that records the daily aggregate time that the peristaltic pump is on, and it logs it. this correlates to nutrient useage. I believe that carefully measured nutrient useage is an under discussed parameter that we could use to more finely tune our grows. For example, when my nutrient useage drops off, I dont even try to figure it out, I just flush, rinse and start over, and the next several days I always get >50% more nutrient useage than I did before the flush. also, nutrient useage drops off late in bloom and is a good indication that you have about 1 - 2 weeks till harvest so thats when I start flushing.

the same tek could be used for ph Im sure. but you really dont want to measure fluctuations, you want to controll it so that there are no fluctuations, so measuring the amount of ph up or down that is used (you could use a solution and a peristaltic pump like I do) is mostly what you want.

its pretty easy to monitor and log temp, but Ive not been able to find a good humidity monitor that I can get to interface, the one I have you set, and it records the times it reaches setpoint, but doesnt record the actual analogue outputs.

 

[Guest]

Woah!

That is WAY more than I was looking to do. lol.

Actually, I realize the "ultimate" is to have your PC control the grow, ie pH dosing and nutrient/RO dosing, however I am just growing for personal consumption and that would totally be overkill for me.

I was just hoping to monitor/log the parameters for my own personal curiosity, really.

Anyone out there have just a monitoring/logging setup?

 

[foaf]

I only grow for myself and only one plant in a 3x4 closet (Its looking like a 3 pounder this time) , and yes its overkill for sure, but all those toys are lots of fun. Also, the "stargate" is self contained and doesnt need a pc except to program it and view the logs.

there is no simple way to do complicated things

 

[Blunt_69]

DUDE. Thats Awsome.

I am going to do this, I cant even imagine what a completely self automated room would be like. I have the skills to make it happen, and the controllers and the electronics.....Fuck MAN

you have given ol blunt_69 man insperation!!!!!!I want that TOY.Wicked Post.

can you imagine the possiblities......i sure can....

what kind of code is that???? Cant really make it out from the pic.

 

[LazyDaze]

I have been looking at Phidgets. It is all USB.

They have relays good for up to 250VAC, 10 Amps each, 4 per "PhidgetInterfaceKit 0/0/4". This can also be used to switch DC. This can turn anything you need on and off from a program written in one of several languages. Programming may be a barrier to some, but I can program in a few languages, as doubtless can many others here and I am sure that given the hardware to play with we would all gladly share any little programs we write for this purpose. For sheer simplicity and rapidity I would likely use java myself.

That same software could also use the phidgets sensors. This includes a thermometer, pH meter (hygrometer?), and several others. If they do not have what you want, you can rig your own. For instance there is a DC volt meter module. Wire that to any of the many CO2 meters that provide analog DC out, do a little conversion math in the software, and you have a CO2 meter that can be read by your PC via USB.

Put the hardware together with a small scheduler app that reads the sensors and reacts by properly adjusting the environment and you have something. And it can be nearly any something you want.

I'm nutzo to try my hand at it. However, I do not have the cash at the moment. I expect to be able to swing something along this line in a year or so.

I would assume someone has already gone down this piecemeal route. Can anyone relate any similar setups commonly used?

In any case, ... high everyone.

-- Lazy

 

[BakedBeans]

I've been thinking about computer control. I'm a computer engineer by profession anyhow.

Screw Java though. It would be all Perl for me.

I'm sure a RS232 interface board could be made to work with different brands of sensors, if they have some sort of standard output. I know nothing about pH and PPM sensors though.

I was brainstorming this awhile back as well. It actually sounds like a pretty easy and low-tech project, compared to the stuff I usually work on.