Reef Central Online Community - My DIY Netduino Controller and Multi-channel Multi-chip LED Cannons

Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/index.php)

- Do It Yourself (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3)

- - My DIY Netduino Controller and Multi-channel Multi-chip LED Cannons (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2250389)

My DIY Netduino Controller and Multi-channel Multi-chip LED Cannons

This started as just building some lights for my 180, but has now spiraled into an entire controller build so I'm going to move the information over here from a couple different threads.

Light wise this is going to work out to about $210 for the first light, and $120 per light after that for 2 additional lights. Over 3 requires another power supply, over 10 requires another run of boards.

(Per Light)
Drivers

4x LDD-700H (http://www.powergatellc.com/mean-wel...converter.html)
1x LDD-350H (http://www.powergatellc.com/mean-wel...converter.html)
Board that they mount to:
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps666a881e.png
($34 for 10 printed up.)
Special thanks to 02Surplus, RRSCO and others in the LDD thread for making that board and making this build possible.

Power Supply

1x Mean-well SE358/48 (http://www.powergatellc.com/mean-wel...er-supply.html)
(this will power 3 pendants)

Terminals

cheapy ebay screw terminals
(enough for all of them)

Chip

Ebay "Dream Chip" knockoff
(will take $90/shipped per chip)

Thermal Managment

100w or better PSU cooler from a p4/athlon. I happen to have a bunch laying around, so $FREE

Controller:

Somewhere in the midst of going with a simple controller (google typhoon LED for one) I decided I wanted to be able to control all 15 channels independently. this requires 15 PWM outputs. I was going to do an arduino board and a shield, but I'm a C# developer by trade, so when I discovered netduino the route was obvious. Starting as a simple LED controller it became obvious that I should just build an entire controller. Tomorrow my Netduino plus 2 arrives, by friday I'll have a temp sensor, real time clock, relay setup to control pumps, and the PWM shield to control the lights.

The controller will log to another server via HTTP posts of various parameters, and will take http posts to control things remotely. Individually it's all been done on either netduino or arduino so it's just a matter of me pulling together the pieces into one project.

Things to log

Water Level in Sump Tank - (http://www.milonetec...hase_eTape.html - 12 inch eTape )
Water level in ATO Tank - Float switch of some sort, just need to know when it gets low to warn me to re-fill it. (Suggestions?)
Temp - (https://www.sparkfun.../products/11050 )
Ph - (http://atlas-scienti...its/ph-kit.html )
Salinity (conductivity) //eventually (http://atlas-scienti...its/ec-kit.html )
Total power the tank is using //eventually (https://www.sparkfun.../products/11005 )

Things to control

15 PWM channels for dimming meanwell LDD-H drivers for LED's (https://www.adafruit.com/products/815 )
up to 8 120v Outlets. Ordered http://www.amazon.co.../ref=pd_sbs_t_1 for now, will package up neatly when I'm ready.
I'll need to do several things on a schedule, so I've also ordered an i2c Real time Clock.
EcoTech VorTech Pumps (RF) //eventually, I will likely use the RF module from Reef Angel for this

I will work this system out on my biocube while demo starts on the new office to build the stand and cut a hole for the big tank.

Cheers to my (almost) wife for supporting me on this one!

Purchased so far:

Netduino Plus 2
Temp Probe
Real Time Clock
Relay Circut
PWM Controller

Should start arriving today.

Sweet!

I'm subscribed. Thanks for the link to the PWM expander! That's something that had me stumped until now. I hope you'll provide some insights into your control "sketch" and other hardware choices, as I'm good with electronics but completely suck at the software side of these projects LOL :headwalls:

Quote:

Originally Posted by O2Surplus (Post 21045334)

This build wouldn't have even started without your board layout, so thanks to you sir!

As for the software side / "Sketch" I opted for the netduino over an arduino based solution because the netduino is a .netMF device. That means it runs Microsoft's .net Micro Framework. Programming involves hooking the board up to your windows PC via USB, opening visual studio, and writing some C# or VB code. Check out the 'getting started' tutorials on it, it makes it much more approachable.

The trade off is the speed- similar code in C# vs the C based "Sketch" language will take longer to execute because of the overhead of the .net framework. Worth it for me, though as a C# dev who doesn't want to learn the C based sketch language for arduino.

Also as a bonus on netduino, tons of Arduino shields/boards etc have drivers/programming available for them (such as the Adafruit 16 channel PWM board I linked). Makes shopping for sensors etc easy and the Forum / Wiki are very helpful.

Definitely an interesting build. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.

I am currently building a similar project but using the arduino. It will be interesting to see which way you go with hardware/software.

As was recommended to me, the etape liquid level sensor isn't the best thing to use for aquariums. I bought one and tested it out and quickly realized that it is quite sensitive to any movement or twisting/bending of the sensor. It was recommended I try out a pressure sensor. It only cost $14 and after some testing I've done it seems to be a lot more consistent in its readings. Heres a link if your interested. http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...GC7U-ND/951844

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkd5024 (Post 21047339)

Thanks! I've looked over the pressure sensors and other means of measuring depth as well. I've discussed the use with the manufacturer and they agree that if you are able to mount the eTape in a situation where it's not on a flexible surface and not being moved it is ideal (and accurate) and easy to calibrate for this situation. If for some reason it doesn't work out I'll likely end up with the pressure sensor to measure depth. I don't want to end up with a series of floats, is my main requirement. I want to know how much water, not that it's deeper than X but shallower than X.

Appreciate the input!!

Netduino Plus 2 Arrived today, one day late (thanks Amazon) but here none the less:

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...psb195773a.jpg

Being my first micro-controller project, the head unit is much smaller than I expected.

On the N+2: Real time debugging + easy to understand tutorials make this a great thing. Only thing is with the N+2 being new I didn't see a lot about how to do networking etc. I haven't updated my firmware yet so I'm seeing an incorrect MAC address which led to some initial confusion (Is the networking working?!) but after I figured out that indeed, it is working... super cool!! I quickly cobbled together a couple lines of code to make a web request and tell me via LED if it was successful:

Code:

using System;

using System.Threading;

using System.Net;

using Microsoft.SPOT;

using Microsoft.SPOT.Hardware;

using SecretLabs.NETMF.Hardware;

using SecretLabs.NETMF.Hardware.Netduino;

 

namespace Hello_World

{

    public class Program

    {

        public static void Main()

        {

            // write your code here

            OutputPort led = new OutputPort(Pins.ONBOARD_LED, false);

            var myReq = (HttpWebRequest)WebRequest.Create("http://chrisuthe.com/robots.txt");

            var myResponse =(HttpWebResponse)myReq.GetResponse ();

            if(myResponse.StatusCode.ToString() == "200")

            {

                led.Write(true);

            }

            

        }

 

    }

}

SUCCESS!!

Now it's back to the 8-5'er for a bit, but I feel good knowing I can upgrade firmware later today and get started planning how the software end will function.

Looks cool! I've got no idea what any of that coding means, LOL, so I'll just continue sitting here with my head nodding in approval LOL.

tagging along so I can see how you mount your light and enclose your controller

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadeth72 (Post 21049636)

tagging along so I can see how you mount your light and enclose your controller

I've got some ideas floating in the back of my head, but it might not be of much help to you as my tank is in wall so it won't be as pretty as it would be if I were building them to hang in an exposed room.

Todays Progress:

Ordered:
1 x LDD-350H
1 x SE-350-48
From Powergate Express LLC

Ordered:
4x LDD-700H
From Mouser (they are basically tripple price vs powergate but in stock)

Power gate won't have 700's in stock until late feb (the 22nd) so I went this route since they got the power supplies in today (Ship monday) and already had the 350's in. Powergate is obviously the price leader here, but they admitted they were having problems keeping the LDD's in stock but did say they had big orders coming in in feb, so I'll wait to buy the rest of my drivers from them.

PCB's Ordered from iMall iteadstudio.com (Thanks for the design 02surplus!!)

Should have everything to put together a light by the end of the month.

Currently haggling on EBay for the chip.

Sweet!

I hope enough people will order the 5up LDD-H PCB and choose the "open source" option with their order, so that Itead will add it to their site and make it available in smaller quantities- LOL.

what did you search for on ebay to find the multichip?

im very interested in this, I hope to start building mine soon to.

Got the chip bought after some 'make an offer' haggling on ebay. Went with a bit faster shipping on everything coming from China, so hopefully the investment pays off. I'll do a total cost in a few days as things arrive. I spent a bit extra ordering parts from Mouser vs PowerGate since they were out of stock until late feb. I also spent extra to get faster shipping on the LED chip and the boards. Still under $250 for a pendant, I believe.

please post pictures of the chip once you get it, the one I found on ebay did not look very good

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadeth72 (Post 21056724)

please post pictures of the chip once you get it, the one I found on ebay did not look very good

If you're looking at the same ones as me, there doesn't seem to be a picture big enough to make anything out. I ordered 1 to check out the quality and color temps to see if I like it enough to do 3 of them. If not, I will likely keep it over a smaller tank and go another route for the big tank. The seller took my offer of $85, but I think they'd probably take less if ordering multiple items.

I really, really want to stick with 3 multichips over the tank, just to keep it simple but if these are junk and with my access to the original 'dream chip' none, I may have to go with groups of multi-chips in various wavelengths, but I really don't want to.

Not to be too picky or anything, but you should not be using an acid based flux for wires or electronics in general.

What sensor is that? And did you assemble the probe end your self or get it ready made? I put some ds18b20 sensors on the ends of 3.5mm jack stereo cables, into 316 stainless caps (from home brewing supply places) and filled them up with epoxy. As a strain relief and a little extra water proofing i put glue coated shrink tubes over half the cap and onto the wire a good inch or so. Came out like this:

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/w...tempprobe7.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gorgok (Post 21067020)

First and foremost, yes, Acid based flux should not be used with any wires or electronics in general, it's sitting there because I emptied a basket of %#&*( onto my desk.

The sensor is a DS18B20 - I bought it with the probe end assembled from sparkfun. I spent a little more but I didn't mind the piece of mind knowing it's sealed by someone other than me.

The wiring end of things is obviously not done, as nothing could live in a marine environment as it sits. I'll be working out a 1 wire hub for the 3 or so temp probes I'll have total, and a use some sort of proper connector (3.5mm jacks have been strongly considered).

Thank you for your feedback, I appreciate it!

Your posts have turned me on to the netduino. I've been working on and off with an Arduino for a while now but have been frustrated with it as of late (mostly Ethernet shield woes). I have one request, though. Can you re-link the product on amazon you were going to use to control outlets? The links in your first post are all non-working.