Grow controller? (DIY)

[Hephaestus]

I'll pass on the RCS 500$ is a bit much for the bare CS308 system

hvwtech is one of my favorite stores otherwise - ebay's the bomb baby; almost everything is 1/4 price online

 

[Hephaestus]

mostly just funnecessary.

Sorry just caught on to this comment

Yup generally overkill - except for people like me who tinker more than we should... I need to know things are being handled, otherwise i'm in there messing with pH etc - if I'm in there messing with pH every day - I'm going to get bored and it's going to go to hell or i'll overdo it and really screw things up

 

[kiwiboy]

I like the concept of a fully automated growroom. Would like to have my pc to control everything tho. From lights on/off, ventilation control, rezz management including dumping the rezz and starting a new one and also video camera linked to the pc and data logging.

 

[Hephaestus]

Well if programming doesn't scare ya...

http://www.phidgets.com/

Phidgets plug in via usb; and let you control/monitor the physical environment from your PC... Could very easily run a full grow room remotely.

My issue with phidgets is the computer - microcontrollers are a little more ... reliable than your average PC No updates to forget; or render a program non-functional (usually at the most inoportune moment - ie while filling a resevoir). Played with the phidgets as a reef controller once upon a time - but had problems with XP (at that time) not doing silly things like auto-updating and shutting down, going into hibernation, programs auto-updating and shutting themselves down... All these stupid things that computers do automatically now that you can't really forsee happening until they do it... (Noteable fun was adobe updating, and causing a shutdown - while the topoff resevoir was filling (ran on a timer - as I wasn't smrt enough to install a float switch) that was about 30g on the floor... Thankfully the RO/DI was a slow producer).

 

[disfunktional]

i started looking around to get a feel forwhat i may need and i found this for a temp sensor. is this overkill or just the better temp sensor to get? again i am sorry if im asking too many questions, im completely new to this(hell im just figureing out how to use a laptop).

 

[Hephaestus]

One way to skin a cat

Another way is to go to http://www.maxim-ic.com/ when it starts working again, search for DS18B20 and request a free sample of say... 4... 5... however many you figure you'll need Just don't be stupid filling out the form and say shit like "Doodz i needs me free shit to grow some wild ass weed"

Wiring - heck of an easy thing - don't need to spend 5$ on a sensor; when you could just get the sensor as a sample + .99$ for a resistor or two... see http://dailyduino.com/archives/552

Any questions?

 

[disfunktional]

yes so many more but il wait till you've got 50 posts so that i can pm you. i dont want to cletter your thread with a million how to, where to, and why questions. iv been looking over a few things for this and i believe it maybe over my head.

 

[Hephaestus]

You know what - bombard away - might as well put it all together in one place, if you've got 50 more questions - so do 30 people who aren't asking (or will bump to ask in 6 months or 6 years from now)

 

[medi-useA]

I'm trying to get a handle on Automation myself...I've started a thread to nut out the theory and then the mechanics of it.
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=146293
Drop by and comment if you can. It's a work in progress...I'm kinda sidetracked researching Aduino's @the moment

muA

 

[disfunktional]

awsome man thanx!! well like i said i am completely new to all of this so with all of the questions that il ask this thread may turn into a tutorial, lol. ok here they come: how do i know which devices to get? how do i figure out what devices are compatible with the other devices? how or where would i find the info to wire the devices together? what gauge wire will i need and how do i figure that? il stop there for now dont want to over load myself with the returning info, lol.

 

[Hephaestus]

LMAO - wiring, get yourself a breadboard to test the circuits out - most of it is 20/22 for connections (personally I like using ethernet cables & plugs so it's plug n play) depends on the application in most cases...

Sensors we'd use
Humidity http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1207363224
light (hermie?) sensor: http://www.libelium.com/squidbee
/index.php?title=Adding_a_light_sensor
temperature - see above DS18B20
voltage/current (ie monitor your lights/cabinet draw - so if something major shorts/cuts out - you trigger an alarm) http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1227313682

most of the sensors wiring & programming details can be found in the arduino's homepage's playground area
http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Main/InterfacingWithHardware#Input

Ran across this http://www.oceancontrols.com.au/controllers/kta223_Relayduino.htm while hunting for a shield that might work really well for this project... Man, if I had 200$ to blow - I'd be all over this badboy

 

[konstantgrdnr]

Maybe I'm a little off the subject, but as long as were dropping links then I'll share a great one i came across. It is the one labeled Stephanie.


http://absolutemaximumratings.com/projects.php

 

[coconaut]

I'm curious, does this arduino unit need to be connected to a computer at all times? Or can you just hook up a little screen, program the unit, then disconnect the unit and have it do it's thing?

 

[medi-useA]

coconaut I believe the Arduino is more or less a computer in it's own right, but programmable and changeable. They can be powered by usb, jack and you can purchase portable rechargeable batteries for them.
Ever since I heard came across them I've been excited by their possibilities.

Hephaestus...as someone with the programming skills of a retarded monkey, I am most interested in cut and past programming! hehehe
Thanks for dropping by my thread man. I hope you don't mind but I added some info about phidgets after seeing them mentioned here...
Having seen some of the projects constructed with Arduino's..blackberry's...touchscreens...extender boards...lcd displays...I am stunned by it's versatility.
The FatMan will Ride Again before I get a chance to get my hands on an Aduino and play...

But I WILL be prepared!

muA

 

[disfunktional]

LMAO - wiring, get yourself a breadboard to test the circuits out - most of it is 20/22 for connections (personally I like using ethernet cables & plugs so it's plug n play) depends on the application in most cases...

Sensors we'd use
Humidity http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1207363224
light (hermie?) sensor: http://www.libelium.com/squidbee
/index.php?title=Adding_a_light_sensor
temperature - see above DS18B20
voltage/current (ie monitor your lights/cabinet draw - so if something major shorts/cuts out - you trigger an alarm) http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1227313682

most of the sensors wiring & programming details can be found in the arduino's homepage's playground area
http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Main/InterfacingWithHardware#Input

Ran across this http://www.oceancontrols.com.au/controllers/kta223_Relayduino.htm while hunting for a shield that might work really well for this project... Man, if I had 200$ to blow - I'd be all over this badboy

hmm....would that relayduino module make things easier for a beginner or is it just a nice toy to have?

 

[disfunktional]

i was checkinig out that sensor and wireing link and i seen something about distance sensors and that me to thinking....if you were to mount the light on a ball and screw with a motor and used a disance sensor, of some kind, then the light would move vertically with the growth, right? im sure its possible but theres probably more to it.

 

[Hephaestus]

You'd probably have to get a little higher tech than that... There are some light curtains you could use to set heights and keep a separation between lights & plant but you'd be into some serious $ for that... Not sure if a laser range finder or similar shooting down from the light might work but...

Relayduino - would be really nice for switching high voltage sources; I'd rather switch them off the board though...

Pretty sure I'm going to prototype out a shield setup for this scenario, with the pH probe circuits, connector to a switchable power pack, connector for a HD44780 LCD, 4x4 keypad, and a bunch of 2 wire connectors for sensors (thinking the mini headphone type jacks for ease) basically to create a plug n play setup...

but these diagrams aren't making sense to me right now... Damn RA

 

[Hephaestus]

I'm curious, does this arduino unit need to be connected to a computer at all times? Or can you just hook up a little screen, program the unit, then disconnect the unit and have it do it's thing?

It's a standalone microprocessor... Connect to a computer just to program it - after that, let it run on it's own; only need to connect to it if you want to adjust the program.

 

[Hephaestus]

Ok... Time for you guys to chime in... I'm going to start layout & testing of a shield setup specifically designed for this type of use... Trying to figure out if I'm missing anything - or not realizing if there's other things people need...

Right now; shield is going to contain:
Real time clock (DS1307 - I2C connected) - Gives us accurate date/time keeping.
Port Expander (PCF8575 - I2C connected) - To provide ports for LCD & Keypad
I2C Connected LCD controller - so you can plug a HD44780 LCD straight in
Ports for the Keypad (Just plug it in)
pH OP Amp circuit - with BNC connector (just plug in your probe)

Should leave us 12 Digital I/O pins; and 5 Analog I/O. Which I'm thinking get setup with something along the lines of headphone jacks for ease of connection (though GM Weatherpack connectors are tempting)

Think this is adequate or should I add another 16 channel i2c port expander. Running off a few ballparks I've seen - and parts costing based on retail - we're only talking ~75$ so far assembled, tested and shipped (based on an order of 30 units).

 

[Hephaestus]

Whoops... Did I loose you guys?

Lets explain further... If I followed my plan - 8 of those digital would be used for driving a 110v power center (ie you'd have the ability to control 8 110v devices directly).

That leaves 4 - for temp sensors (you can put 16 on 1 pin) and other digital inputs/outputs. Ie driving cooling fans via relay/ssr (rather than using one of the 110v).

Then you have the 5 analog inputs - for light detection and any other non digital inputs (ie float switches)

:friends:

make more sense?