Application of Nano PLC In A Growroom
- Thread starter imnotcrazy
- Start date
Dorje113
Member
Just picked one up, will make a 5-zone lighting system controller with overtemp shutoff and a 15 min delay to restart the lights in case power is lost. I got one of the cases with the clear front cover for it, and will mount the contactors in a separate enclosure... I ordered 5 Metasol contactors along with the teco relay. Total was about $450.
Giant
Member
fwiw I am very happy with the LM45 temp sensor made by national semiconductor. I picked one up from digi-key for about $5. Its takes a voltage (4-30V iirc) in and gives you a linear 10.0 mV per °C output, for example 30°C would be 0.30V. I just used the 24V straight from my power supply.
Its accurate to +/- 2°C which is more than accurate enough for what we are doing with it.
EDIT: Here is the product page. You should be able to find it from digikey just by searching for LM35. http://www.national.com/mpf/LM/LM35.html#Overview
Its accurate to +/- 2°C which is more than accurate enough for what we are doing with it.
EDIT: Here is the product page. You should be able to find it from digikey just by searching for LM35. http://www.national.com/mpf/LM/LM35.html#Overview
Dorje113
Member
I ended up going with an AC unit, so no analog inputs. I needed 3 sensors for overheat protection so i would have needed a power supply + an expansion unit... I guess I'll go with a few line voltage thermostats to trigger the inputs on the smart relay.
The smart relays are perfect for the lighting system right now, but eventually I'm thinking of using the growtronix software for it's increased functionality, plus I don't have to program it. I'm not really looking forward to learning how to program the smart relay, luckily I've done logic diagrams before, years ago, so hopefully I'll remember some of it....
The smart relays are perfect for the lighting system right now, but eventually I'm thinking of using the growtronix software for it's increased functionality, plus I don't have to program it. I'm not really looking forward to learning how to program the smart relay, luckily I've done logic diagrams before, years ago, so hopefully I'll remember some of it....
Dorje113
Member
Is there a way to datalog with a smart relay? And record % of on time for outputs? Or write an adaptive control system for co2 injection? Adjust hysterisis bands and center points? In several different rooms at once with different day/night settings?
Even with expansion modules there are only so many analog inputs available... seems good for lighting control, but I think a computer is better suited to manage temp, humidity and co2, along with datalogging and data analysis... plus it can run the lighting control too.
maybe there are other PLCs more suited to running the entire room than the smart relays???
Giant
Member
Yes, all of these things are possible with PLCs (maybe not your model, but it is possible). Many PLC devices come with an ethernet port for datalogging. CO2 metering/injection is entirely possible and even simple with the model you have. If you get an analog expansion unit you can buy a co2 meter that has a linear 0-10v output. Once you get that, its just a matter of writing the logic to trigger the solenoid. Hysteresis is also possible, but is probably going to require some advanced knowledge of ladder logic.
You can pretty much do anything you want if you research carefully and shop smartly. Make sure you buy exactly what you need and take the time to sit down and research before you buy. Sure you can go out and get the pre-packaged solution if you want to pay out the ass for it. I personally enjoy the feeling when something you put so much effort in to actually just works. I was amazed at how simple it was, once my lights and fans started doing what I wanted when I wanted.
I was being a bit facetious about the smart relays capabilities, and was referring more to the self-satisfaction of doing the application yourself. If you are interested in implementing that much control and data handling, then you would need to step up to a plc. They are far more suited to extensive control than a computer - that is why industry uses them for machine control and automation. They co-habit with computers for optimization and report generation, but the plc excels at control. Programming them is a specialty, however.
Giant
Member
For $1000 heres what you get with growtronix:
Network Interface Module (Module that communicates between the software and hardware)
Temperature Sensor
Humidity Sensor
Controllable power outlets unit (Allows for control of 2 devices)
Cables
Growtronix Software Suite
Two outlets? They basically give you enough to control your light and a fan. You can monitor temp/humidity but if you want to actually control it you need another $100 outlet. CO2 sensor? Thatll be another $400 please.
I can buy a $10 timer and $15 hygrometer from the grow shop that will do 90% of what this system does out of the box.
Network Interface Module (Module that communicates between the software and hardware)
Temperature Sensor
Humidity Sensor
Controllable power outlets unit (Allows for control of 2 devices)
Cables
Growtronix Software Suite
Two outlets? They basically give you enough to control your light and a fan. You can monitor temp/humidity but if you want to actually control it you need another $100 outlet. CO2 sensor? Thatll be another $400 please.
I can buy a $10 timer and $15 hygrometer from the grow shop that will do 90% of what this system does out of the box.
Dorje113
Member
Sure, but if you implement co2, temp, humidity and lighting control for several rooms the prices seem a lot better.
The only good alternative is DIY, and I have a feeling going the PLC route is going to be expensive for the unit I'd need, and the programming won't be trivial either.
I just want everything to work so I can concentrate on growing, so I will probably start out with a Plug n Grow IGS-220 controller, we can get them for way under MSRP and I've used them a few times before... if you are ok with combined temp/humidity control they work well.... I live in CO so I don't run dehueys, just bring in fresh, cool mountain air.
I just bought a growtronix system. Will report how it works once I get into it. I have important things to do so I dont mind dropping a few bucks for the system. I bought almost every sensor, which I will paste below.
I want to automate alot of systems so i hope to have this monitoring systems in case of failure, it will alert me. Also for security they have motion sensors and cameras.
Temperature Controller
Humidity Controller
Co2 Controller
pH and EC / TDS controller
Reservoir Temperature Controller
Reservoir Level Controller
Security System
Flood Detection and Alert System
Fogger Controller
Irrigation Controller
Ebb and Flow table Controller
Timelapse movie creator
DWC Level Controller
Cycle Timer(s)
Lighting Controller
Long Term datalogger with advanced graphing features
I want to automate alot of systems so i hope to have this monitoring systems in case of failure, it will alert me. Also for security they have motion sensors and cameras.
Temperature Controller
Humidity Controller
Co2 Controller
pH and EC / TDS controller
Reservoir Temperature Controller
Reservoir Level Controller
Security System
Flood Detection and Alert System
Fogger Controller
Irrigation Controller
Ebb and Flow table Controller
Timelapse movie creator
DWC Level Controller
Cycle Timer(s)
Lighting Controller
Long Term datalogger with advanced graphing features
lbezphil2005
Member
Beautiful work
Beautiful work
Seeing the quality of the panel makes me smile, you have purchased some quality there, bro. Made by a master craftsman (takes one to know one, 30+years Industrial Electrician w/master plc license), love to see work like this!!
Beautiful work
Carter, could you go through this picture and help identify stuff? Like what kind of enclosure and mounting system, what the fuses are and where, what all the boxes inside are called, etc. I really like the organization and quality of your build, the details like perfect crimps and labels, bends and routing, etc, and am trying to use it as a guide to do something much smaller but well built. I have some ideas on how it goes together, but I'm sure most of them will be incorrectI'm trying to source components, so at least the names of things will help a ton in figuring it out.
Thanks for your contribution so far, and thanks in advance!
Seeing the quality of the panel makes me smile, you have purchased some quality there, bro. Made by a master craftsman (takes one to know one, 30+years Industrial Electrician w/master plc license), love to see work like this!!
I have done work with motors and basic functions of plc's and I have the knowledge to build and program a large system, but what are you using for the analog inputs, is it capable of monitoring temp, humidity, co2 levels I can understand finding a temp sensor that wires into the analogue input but are there devices that don't cost an arm an a leg for the other measurements like humidity, co2 levels.
I wish I still had the file, but I wrote a program for a greenhouse( miniature display unit) which could have been adapted to a indoor grow room.
I wish I still had the file, but I wrote a program for a greenhouse( miniature display unit) which could have been adapted to a indoor grow room.
Uncle FREEDOM
Member
great thread
Uncle FREEDOM
Member
Ok i have a question, i hope it is not to naive... Since these are smart RELAYS why do we need other relays to flip the lights? Do they not make any smart relays that can handle the power??? How about small plc's?. Just curious as to if there is a way to reduce the cost, and still be as functional.
You hit the nail on the head here. The outputs from smart relays and plc's have limited voltage and current capacity, making them unsuited for a flip application. Most of the smart relays have built-in I/O, so the entire unit would have to be changed out when the output is destroyed by exceeding it's capacity. It is better to use the output to drive a more heavy-duty electromechanical relay that is better suited to the task.
bump for a good thread
price drop recently got a siemens logo 230rc relay with software and a usb cable for under $100 off fleabay
price drop recently got a siemens logo 230rc relay with software and a usb cable for under $100 off fleabay
