Build-phases

From Reef Projects

Build Phases

1 Playing with the Arduino and various parts
2 Power Center Construction
3 Controller Mock-up
4 Controller Running with PH Probe
5 Keypad for Various Functions
6 Putting it all Together

Playing with the Arduino and various parts

Power Center Construction

Create the power center the Arduino will control.
- Install 8 solid state relays on American DJ PC100 power center.
- Wire the PC100 to the relays so the light on the switch will indicate if the device should be on or off.

The build:

Build Phases
Pigtail removed	Close-up of switch wiring	Internal wiring finished	Relays mounted to cover.
All wired up.	Finished wire with plastic cover. Still needs a bit of work

I removed the pigtail for the black (hot) wires.
I then made new connectors for each switch and ran them through a hole near the main power in cord along with a main hot coming off of the fuse.
I mounted the relays to the top cover using screws and put some small wire holders on to help manage the wire.
I wired up the common hot and each wire back to the 8 switches.
I wired up the common ground for the control side of each relay.

Notes:

There is still some power to each plug due to the lighted switch (I think). This goes out when anything is connected to the plug for that switch.
I still need to create a cover since there is live power at each relay. I an thinking plexiglass.

Controller Mock-up

The 20X 4 LCD hooked up to a serial controller and real time clock are wired to the I2C bus and the temp sensor is on digital pin 2.

Controller Running with PH Probe

The controller has been running the tank for two weeks so far. I am having the controller show the last time the ATO ran. The rest should be self-explanatory. I got the PH probe up and running today.

There was a problem with the wiring. The twisted pairs (all sending +5V) were creating noise that was interfering with the SSRs. I rewired the SSRs so only one pair went to each (a +5V and Ground) and the problems went away.

Keypad for Various Functions

So far to set the time, it had be done through code. With a keypad I will make it possible for the controller to live on its own. I am thinking about having various "modes".