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Automation

M

medi-useA

Tried the screw...it comes out...but the rocker switches clip into the plastic cover...my hands are not strong enough to remove the rocker switches.

I just want to use the controller to slow down the fan...it does no need to run on high all the time...

I have an air con th@ handles temps @ the moment...but the fan is on 24/7 on high...and I really only NEED it on high speed towards the end of the grow...

muA
 
M

medi-useA

Hephaestus

Hephaestus

Member
For the DIY under 100$ one - look at a Toms aqualifter pump - 30gph will put a ridiculous amount of acid into the system in a hurry; aqualifter (the one I'm using for my drip system in that other thread) is under 4gph... Know a few people who use these for dosing various liquids/ferts - they work well...
 
Hephaestus

Hephaestus

Member
lot of the aquarium guys who can't / dont DIY use autotopoff.com - but they're ridiculously simple :) Just a 3$ ebay float switch, two test caps and a hunk of 1.25" pvc then a decent-ish mount...
 
M

medi-useA

Yeah...but there's so much there th@ could be copied and modified for the broke-home-grower ;)

muA
 
A

amargas

New member
Mulletsoda said:
Okay, you're trying to control that fan, right? Based on temp or humidity, both?

Here are a couple other options for just temp:

A regular old mercury thermostat hooked to a relay. Simple and effective.

Any digital AC/heat thermostat for a house, such as:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Heat-Cool-Therm...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4838e327e6

This switch will close (turn on) when it reaches 95F and open back up when it cools to 90.
http://cgi.ebay.com/5-pcs-Temperatu...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a53fb4584
Click to expand...

Hey mulletsoda- I like where you are going with those- couple questions though. Are you suggesting linking those two devices? The house thermostat runs on 24V and you would need to buy a transformer, and then how would you link it to control equipment at 120V?

As far as the ebay temp switches, something like that could potentially work on its own as an emergency shutoff for lights, but its voltage rating is confusingly listed as: 1500V AC/minute. If it could take 120V constantly but interrupt say a lighting controller trigger cable when temps hit 95 that would be an awesome safety for under $10. Its hard to tell if it would work from the specs listed. What was your thinking with these?
 
Mulletsoda

Mulletsoda

Member
Okay, it's all about the magic of relays. The thermostat running on 24V is just how they ran it before, it doesn't REQUIRE 24v. The mercury thermostat is a mechanical device, the blob of metal creates a physical connection completing the circuit. You very well may be able to run 110VAC through it, but I wouldn't try. Now, while there are hundreds (literally) of ways of doing this, here's how I would do it :

12 V DC wall adapter (lots of electronics use these) in series with the thermostat and a relay (http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/RLY-497/12VDC-DPDT-RELAY/1.html). The 12VDC goes to the coil on that little relay, while I would run 110VAC through the contacts to yet another relay: (http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/RLY-453/120-VAC-RELAY-DPDT-12-AMPS/-/1.html).

This relay is rated for 12A@220VAC. If you've got an old thermostat lying around, total cost for the temp controller is less than $10, and if you're running a larger ANYTHING than this will run, you shouldn't be trying to save a few $. ;)

Make sense?
 
Mulletsoda

Mulletsoda

Member
Yeah, I'm not exactly sure what VAC/min means, but as I design everything WAY over-engineered, I don't worry about things like that. ;) It'll pass 12vDC no problem.

I happen to have a pile of 12v 1A DC transformers lying around, so I use those whenever convenient.
 
Yggdrasil

Yggdrasil

Member
Awesome work so far guys, this in conjuction with DR. Bud's grow sold me on IC mag, tried to get a thread like this started on RIU to no avail, sounds like you guys have a way better idea about this stuff than i ever will. I think this thread caused me to think the most abstractly i have in quite some time... Great work, great minds, and even greater ideas!

Rock on

Ygg
 
M

medi-useA

I'm in awe of these guys too...I read the posts and then go searching...learning snippets as I go...

But @ the moment I'm too stupid to figure out how to wire a basic control panel to a fan! hehehe...Feck it! I'll go buy a fan controller from the hardware store!:biggrin:

But I'm learning...th@'s why I started the thread...
And it has been well worth it!...

muA
 
V

valais

New member
What a wonderful place for my first post. This is something I have been working over for the past few sleepless nights. My good friend here in LA is an EE and my old roommate is a Programmer so I started to take a few notes about what I wanted to control. Now this is just me thinking out loud so bare with me. I went through this thread and compiled a few things. I will keep you updated on my progress and would love to be a part of this movement! My biggest concerns have been that I have multiple reservoirs and tables. So the Intelidose would not work for me. I want to be able to control multiple res. from one program. That's how I got started in this whole thought process.
Fully Automated Home Garden Processing Center

Operation Statement: Our idea is to control multiple variables within an environment through the use of software and hardware into one automated home garden system. Each gardener has specific constraints and parameters, which they would like to optimize through our system.

Assumption: Each variable can have multiple component variables. (ie: control of multiple PPM/PH meters for separate reservoirs)
• X1: Climate Control
• X2: Lighting Control
• X3: Water Control
• X4: Air Circulation
• X5: Nutrient Control
• X6: Data Control
• X7: Miscellaneous

Variable Breakdown:

X1: Climate Control:
A: Air Conditioning and Heat
B: Humidity
C: CO2 Levels and Distribution
X2: Lighting Control:
A: Light Height
B: Timing Cycles
C: Light Movers
X3: Water Control:
A: Multiple Pumps
B: Water height in each reservoir via Float Valves
C: Control on and off between Nutrient Injection (Air Space then water)
D: TDS/ PPM / PH monitoring alerts for specific regions
E: RO control (GPD, amount in main tank, TDS)
X4: Air Circulation Control
A: Intake Fans
B: Outtake Fans
C: Ceiling, Wall, Clip Fan Timing and direction
X5: Nutrient Control [I believe largest automation potential]
A: Monitor and Act on Out of Balance PH/ PPM
B: Inject correct nutrient levels to multiple receiving units
C: Drainage Dump
X6: Data Control
A: Log minute, Day, Month, Year historical graphs
B: Be able to call up saved data for next grow
X7: Miscellaneous
A: Foggers, Temperature in Tanks, Grow Medium Properties
B: Control multiple rooms with different settings for each room
C: Security Monitors Motion Sensors
D: IP Address with cameras and remote access to certain components

System runs our software which controls the on off properties.

For Automation we would need multiple probes to monitor the different variables. I.E. say you have 3 reservoirs in your setup. One in vegetative growth and two in flower and you need to control PH/PPM/TDS, water levels as well as multiple pumps. We would need a system that could incorporate these inputs, separate each input location, and be able to create a correct level via the software, send back to the unit, which would then make the correct adjustments.


Outliers: Each garden is equipped with different strains, equipment, and design.

Questions to myself:
How could you incorporate components from multiple companies?
Would you use just sensors or would you be able to change those components?
Can you create an electrical box with multiple 120/240v inputs with one 110 or 240 output so as to remain plug and play? With this electrical box how could you relate the on off features to a computer?
Would you want to control multiple rooms with one computer? What happens if the computer went down (What fail-safe would you need)?
For each component to be independent would the each need a separate circuit?

Electronically Engineer
Digital interface with probes and sensors and hardware reverse engineering devices. Sensors are the hardest.


Could we develop our own Arduino? What is this component? Does it have a user friendly interface? Can We create one or would we write it in C+?
http://www.arduino.cc/
http://sanguino.cc/start (downfall - no shield?)
http://www.oceancontrols.com.au/controllers/kta223_Relayduino.htm
(computer connection?)


Our Guiding Light:

http://www.cheapvegetablegardener.com/2009/01/fully-automated-computerized-grow-box.html

http://www.cheapvegetablegardener.com/2009/09/computer-controlled-grow-box-beta-2.html

http://www.cheapvegetablegardener.com/2009/09/how-to-make-grow-box-controller.html


Temperature controller:
http://www.electronickits.com/kit/co...meas/ck110.htm
http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/meas/vek8067.htm

Liquid Level Controller:
http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/meas/vek2639.htm
Water Tank Depth Sensor:
http://www.practicalarduino.com/projects/water-tank-depth-sensor
http://www.virtualvillage.com/horizontal-liquid-tank-float-switch-009700-019.html
Switches and Controllers :Water
http://autotopoff.com/products/

Fan Shut Down Kit:
http://store.fundamentallogic.com/e...id=471&zenid=4036be7151b8459e157390ed802bfa66

Time Lapse Camera Wiring Diagram:
http://www.practicalarduino.com/projects/time-lapse-camera-controller

EC/PPM/TDS Meter Wiring Diagram:
http://www.octiva.net/projects/ppm/images/Schematic.jpg
http://www.octiva.net/projects/ppm/

Indoor Weather station programming:
http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1265087241

Dosing Pump:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250556502684&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D250556502684%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1
 
Last edited:
M

medi-useA-Redux

Thanks for joining in valais...I'm back, but with a diff user name *G*.

muA
 
minds_I

minds_I

Active member
Veteran
Hello all,

Whats the story? No input since mid March.

I have been looking into ec senosrs as of late myself and have some spice files working of the circuit.

I do not have the probe which is really needed to dial in the circuit.

minds_I
 
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