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Lets build a DIY fully automated controller.

Uncle FREEDOM

Uncle FREEDOM

Member
Hey guys i got inspired by this thread, unfortunately it kinda petered out...

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=99252

Now i was looking into controllers like growtronix ...http://growtronix.com/store/

and GroBot... http://purgro.net/

Here is what i propose we work together to build. Lets work together to build a diy fully automated room(s) controller. I personally would prefer a single controller with 2 sets of probes and a flip/flop to run 2 rooms.

Here is what i decided to do, i will separate this post into sections and all i ask is links to various electronic equipment. As people list stuff i will edit this post so we have a nice contained source of updated links of all the parts we need to fabricate said controller. Also links to other places with related DIY tech will be included ala this tech for ph...https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?p=3645262

I would do more of this myself, but i have only a basic electronic knowledge, and would hate to mislead anyone with improper equipment.

So off we go!!!


First off 2 rules...
1) Be respectful, constructive criticism is good, trash talk BAD!!!
2) Let's keep posts down to questions, product suggestions, answers, etc,,, This need not become a 50 page thread of 100 "awesome thread" posts.


NANO PLC / Smart relays
http://us.idec.com/Product/Programmable_Relays/IDEC_SmartRelay.aspx
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=pd_lpo_..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1ZN3QJCGRYXH3MZKWC22
http://www.factorymation.com/s.nl?it=A&id=46&sc=2&category=1296&whence=
http://www.ia.omron.com/product/family/1755/index_fea.html
http://www.crouzet-usa.com/millenium3/html/en/m3home.shtml

Computer controllers
http://www.futurlec.com/LPC1768_Controller.shtml



Arduino/Beagle boards
http://beagleboard.org/
http://www.arduino.cc/

Electronic parts
Digikey- Digikey.com
Mouser- Mouser.com
Newark- Newark.com (Farnell for the UK people) Allied Electronics- [url]alliedelec.com
Jameco- jameco.com
BG Micro- BGmicro.com
Marlin P Jones (MPJA)- mpja.com
All electronics- allelectronics.com
McMaster Carr - mcmaster.com

Electrical enclosure box's
http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Overview/Catalog/Enclosures


Heavy duty relays (to do the dirty work of switching lots of power)
120v coil..... http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=2350011
triac output optocoupler info www.answerbag.com/q_view/1760083 & http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showthread.php?t=9694
http://www.opto22.com/site/products.aspx
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Solid-state-rela...002?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c18a5a082


Breakers


Ph probes


Co2 probes
http://www.co2meter.com/collections/co2-sensors/products/k-22-lo-co2-sensor-module
http://www.futurlec.com/Gas_Sensors.shtml

Temperature probes
http://www.national.com/mpf/LM/LM35.html#Overview


Humidity probes
http://www.conrad-international.com...p1}{md5/c56fa3305d4c9503c92d00fc088603c7/md5}
http://www.conrad-international.com...p1}{md5/88162c2864a9feeb397bcfefe1f93938/md5}


Peristaltic pumps / solenoid valves (for dosing of nutes/ph/etc)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Peristaltic-dos.../260714287391?pt=BI_Pumps&hash=item3cb3c8511f
http://www.reefshops.com/dosing-pump-peristaltic-dosing-pump-for-aquarium-lab.html
Gravity feed solenoid valves...http://cgi.ebay.com/1-2-Gravity-Fee...874?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f7d7323a

Light sensors


Water level sensors / valves
Flow sensor...http://www.futurlec.com/Flow_Sensor.shtml
float sensor...http://cgi.ebay.ca/10-Liquid-Water-...842?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0d57ea42

Programing



General security (Camera, flood warning, auto dialing, text message automation)
http://www.alarmsuperstore.com/dialers/dialers.htm


Various parts... Din rails, plugs, electrical connectors, etc
Drill, tap, countersink set... http://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-DTAPKIT-6-Piece-Combination-Drill/dp/B0041FIR1E
http://www.eidusa.com/Interface_Boards.htm
Barrel conectors...http://www.mini-box.com/DC-Barrel-Converter / http://www.amazon.com/2-5mm-5-5mm-11-5mm-Plug-Cord/dp/B000LFVFK8/ref=pd_cp_e_1

Various wiring techs


Various miscellaneous other links / items.
http://www.octiva.net/projects/ppm/
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t187165.html

If any of the above links are outdated or should be replaced with a better link/product then please notify me. Thanks
 
Uncle FREEDOM

Uncle FREEDOM

Member
Reserved for pictures of completed PLC/automation projects...

Imnotcrazy's box


Londinium's box?


Carter's box


Stay puff's box


Tactician's box


Lava surfer's box
 
O

OnTheWater

Member
Lets build a DIY fully automated controller.

Is it possible to build a ph doser using this equipment?

I would love to build something like this for less..

http://www.hydrosuppliers.com/product_info.php?products_id=2598&osCsid=rj798hmebf1vugdq3ff75rj236

Wouldn't mind making it possible to dose ph up AND ph down.

Been eyeing these for a while so I'll be getting one whichever route is best:joint:
 
N

noreason

Natural born Grower
ICMag Donor
Veteran
Nice idea Uncle freedom :yes: I would have the capacity to build what I need on my own but for me it's not so simple...a good tutorial with full explanation would be the best.Hope someone will explain to the noob like me how to set-up a diy controller,however the most important thing for me is only the CO2 and it would be a great start to grow a diy controller.The ones on the market are very expensive!

Btw the humidity sensor links to conrad (in the first post) don't work,maybe you want to fix those ;)

:wave:
 
Stay Puft

Stay Puft

Member
Programmers needed.

Programmers needed.

My 2 cents:
PLC are great for a small setups, but if you want more advanced functions (like data logging etc) you might as well go for a PC based system. (like growtronix)
What we really need is software that has extremely flexible interface control.... And the ability to use it. (This is where I fail...I am not a software person) I believe the software we want is already available for free. (MR.House) BUT-we need some software peeps to help us dumb- down the setup/configuration of MR. House. I suggest the Ubuntu Operating system on a PC for your groups common platform. (Both Mr House and Ubuntu are free!) Mr House is capable of interfacing to almost anything (1-wire ,I2c, serial,etc)
I would not get too involved with the hardware until you have the user interface worked out. (software ) I have a pile of hardware but no software to tie it all together. Don't fall down the same money pit!
If there are any software people that want to help, a cheap way to start work would be to:
1-Load a old PC with Ubuntu.
2-Install Mr House on PC
2- Use a inexpensive X10 interface and lamp controller with Mr House to learn how to use the software.
(Note: I am not suggesting X10 for actual builds... Just a inexpensive prototyping setup.)
A new programmer would only need to supply a old PC and couple X10 devices to get started. More hardware can be added later.
Anyway... that is a suggestion for a path on your project.
Good luck and "May the Swartz be with you":tiphat:
 
I

iamdink

New member
There are many accurate, cheap, and easy to use humidity sensors. Does anyone know of good open Co2 sensor?

DIY controller would best implemented on digital microcontroller. These controllers need hysteris (must take past actions into account). Kind of challenging to construct, not just DIY zone.

if your look for some example projects and random stuff for 120 relays checkout www.sparkfun.com

@g33kdro: i like 2nd link, really nice.
 
W

wanderer

iamdink...

The secret to managing the hysteresis in closed loop controls such as this is P.I.D. calculations. The proportional control factor is what 99% of simple control schemes use. While this allows elementary control, the deadband needed to eliminate the constant hysteresis in the actuators will allow for unacceptable swings in some of the processes (think ph, etc). By using integrative and/or derivative calculations the error will be all but eliminated.
 
Stay Puft

Stay Puft

Member
IMHO:
I feel it is a waste of time working on the back-end (hardware design of senors and I/O) when you do not have a proper/common Front-end . (software that provides user interface/control) The front end should be open and not be exclusively tied to any specific MCU or proprietary interface.
These type of threads always get overwhelmed with the hardware design comments/requests with no attention given to controlling software. The hardware comments are great but the front-end design is usually the show stopper for projects like this.
 
W

wanderer

Stay Puft,

I agree, hence the algorithms for calculations (i.e. control) I mentioned above.
I used the above calculations for M.C.C. Powers (now Siemens) when I wrote the software for their process automation control system (system 600) back in the 80's.

It can be used in PLC's or in a PC based system, and still works it's magic! In fact, it was originally implemented using analog pneumatic controls in the '30s for processes such as refineries, etc.
 
zenoonez

zenoonez

Active member
Veteran
I totally support the idea of making a DIY for all this stuff, I just think that thread petered out because there are so few people here who know what would be needed or have the baseline knowledge to contribute.
 
Uncle FREEDOM

Uncle FREEDOM

Member
Well this is awesome, thanks to the knowledgeable people for showing up!

This thread is not just about one person. This thread is about COMBINING the knowledge of the hardware guys with the knowledge of the software guys, with the knowledge of the tech DIY guys.

As my dad used to say growing up on the farm... (as we had a few acres of scrub bush to clear of stumps and such which seemed like a impossible task)

"ONE AT A TIME"

If we take this mentality, we will accomplish our goals!!!

So it seems to me we need to first source all the needed hardware. Then we debate which is the best bang for the price. Then we need to have have debates on what is needed to control them all (plc, micro-controller, linux computer) once again best bang for the buck. Then we need to work on the software aspect of the project, i am sure there is software out there that the so inclined could borrow some lessons from to apply to our needs. We then need to debug, and finally to improve the final presentation (build a probe box to hang in the room etc)

Easy huh? LOL!!!

But if we take it one thing at a time.................

Anyone know anything about "triac output optocoupler", or "optocouplers" for short?

Also the ph probes on like the tri-meters out there, what power do they run on?
 
O

OnTheWater

Member
Lets build a DIY fully automated controller.

Imnotcrazy needs to chime in.. He might be up for hire! Lol

I'll have a purgro unit in my hands sometime after the new years:joint:

Wouldn't mind building the same stuff for cheaper tho.
 
W

wanderer

Optocouplers are used to isolate the Digital I/O from the controls. It is, at its basic technology, a solid state type relay operated by a LED/detector pair. The internal LED light/ detector is the logic stage that operates the switching element (a TRIAC) to control higher voltage sources.
 
Stay Puft

Stay Puft

Member
So... This thread has already decided to emphasize on how to flick a damb isolated switch (opto isolators) instead of considering over-all control topology.(Poor planing on your part does not create an emergency on my part!)
Sad... soo much potential, soo much energy lost...
 
S

sm0k4

Stay Puft said:
So... This thread has already decided to emphasize on how to flick a damb isolated switch (opto isolators) instead of considering over-all control topology.(Poor planing on your part does not create an emergency on my part!)
Sad... soo much potential, soo much energy lost...
Click to expand...

I was actually thinking about delving into a PIC micro controller for an automated setup for an on-going project as I get bored. Either that or CVI and some USB I/O + A/D converter modules. Run my room from a GUI on my PC. Thats my goal.
 
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