Help a rookie out would ya...aquarium controller
original kuhli
Posts: 4
Hello,
I'm new to electronics but not to aquariums, here's a list of things an aquarium controller can/should do:
1.· Turn lights on/off, to my understanding this involves a relay attached to the controller
2.· Turn a CO2 solenoid on and off at a·ph·setpoint (obtained via a pH sensor and again a relay is the answer)
3.· Monitor temperature and turn a heater on and off (temp sensor and relay)
4.· Run fertilizer injectors - relays and timer functions.
5.· Turn pumps on and off for circulation variety (relays)
6.· Control tank draining and fill in response to timers and fill sensors (http://www.autotopoff.com/products/ST1/index.htm·and relay(included))
7.· Monitor Total Organic Content
So basically, everything you'd need is/are:
1.· Relays
2.· Temp Sensor
3.· Water flow·solenoids
4.· pH sensor
5.· TOC sensor
Questions:
1. Its apparent that the relays have different amperages associated with them, much of this is very low amp.· What do I need to know about relays?
2.·Are there any obvious special considerations·for these probes and sensors, I'm aware that pH can be a bit of a bear from an absolute resolution perspective.
3.·What's a good board/controller combo to start out with?· The Basic stamp·line looks like even the most·simple models can do the job,·however, I·lack the knowledge to forecast where I'll run into roadblocks, this is my real question, once I know this I can do some more research.·
I'm new to electronics but not to aquariums, here's a list of things an aquarium controller can/should do:
1.· Turn lights on/off, to my understanding this involves a relay attached to the controller
2.· Turn a CO2 solenoid on and off at a·ph·setpoint (obtained via a pH sensor and again a relay is the answer)
3.· Monitor temperature and turn a heater on and off (temp sensor and relay)
4.· Run fertilizer injectors - relays and timer functions.
5.· Turn pumps on and off for circulation variety (relays)
6.· Control tank draining and fill in response to timers and fill sensors (http://www.autotopoff.com/products/ST1/index.htm·and relay(included))
7.· Monitor Total Organic Content
So basically, everything you'd need is/are:
1.· Relays
2.· Temp Sensor
3.· Water flow·solenoids
4.· pH sensor
5.· TOC sensor
Questions:
1. Its apparent that the relays have different amperages associated with them, much of this is very low amp.· What do I need to know about relays?
2.·Are there any obvious special considerations·for these probes and sensors, I'm aware that pH can be a bit of a bear from an absolute resolution perspective.
3.·What's a good board/controller combo to start out with?· The Basic stamp·line looks like even the most·simple models can do the job,·however, I·lack the knowledge to forecast where I'll run into roadblocks, this is my real question, once I know this I can do some more research.·
Comments
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- Stephen
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They all attach via 8 Pin DIN connections:
http://connectors.globalspec.com/LearnMore/Electrical_Electronic_Components/Connectors/DIN_Connectors
Here's some measurement resolution specs on a similar meter:
http://www.hannacan.com/PDF/manHI991404.pdf
pH measurement has some issue associated with it, basically it comes down to an issue of resolution, a pH of 7.0 provides 0 potential at the electrode with +/-ve extremes at the ends of a logarthmic scale, to get an accurate reading in the near 7.0 range there's some resolving power required.· This problem is discussed here:
http://www.omega.com/techref/ph.html
I don't think the other sensors have these kinds of issues.
Post Edited (original kuhli) : 2/28/2007 10:55:54 PM GMT