01-29-2022, 11:33 AM
Hello,
To start, this is a very interesting system!!
Now, let me introduce myself. Long time freshwater tank keeper/Sunday afternoon tinkerer. Been using my Digital A'quit'us controllers till they couldn't the job anymore (they had a good run). Been reading and researching the Apeck$ system but am holding back on forking over 2.5k. Now I am here, so well met to all, especially Rob!
I've been reading, trying to get to know this system (options, quantities, lengths, limitations, etc.).
I got three questions that I haven't found definitive answers to.
1. What are the length limitations on the DB9 and ethernet cables? What lengths have been confirmed functional?
2. Does every pin on an extension module need to be connected? I assume not. I ask this not to waste some GPIOs. Example, I take a 6sensor/2DC extension, wire the ground, 4 sensors and the DC control pins to this first extension, then splice the gound and the other 2 sensor pins to another extension (which would be 40 feet of wire away). Of course both would have their own power supply. How about splitting a DB9 on 2 power bar extensions?
3. About the 15 meter DS18B20 on sale on the Robo-Tank website, is using this better than sending an extension with sensor input 14m away with a 1m DS18B20? Does one way deal better with interference and any other possible distance related problem?
These 3 questions are all related to having part of the Robo-Tank system 35 to 50 feet (as a wire is routed in my basement ceiling with house mains in the way) away from the controller board. Minimally I would like temp and outlets. Maybe I can get away with sending DC signals down to SSRs instead of outlets but temp is a must. Sensor inputs would be a really nice to have. Anyway.
Now to try to understand the programming philosophy. Saw a red flags or two about ATOs and AWCs that I need to read up on.
Thanks Rob and JFReyes for putting this on my radar! Very interesting work!
Later,
Groupy
To start, this is a very interesting system!!
Now, let me introduce myself. Long time freshwater tank keeper/Sunday afternoon tinkerer. Been using my Digital A'quit'us controllers till they couldn't the job anymore (they had a good run). Been reading and researching the Apeck$ system but am holding back on forking over 2.5k. Now I am here, so well met to all, especially Rob!
I've been reading, trying to get to know this system (options, quantities, lengths, limitations, etc.).
I got three questions that I haven't found definitive answers to.
1. What are the length limitations on the DB9 and ethernet cables? What lengths have been confirmed functional?
2. Does every pin on an extension module need to be connected? I assume not. I ask this not to waste some GPIOs. Example, I take a 6sensor/2DC extension, wire the ground, 4 sensors and the DC control pins to this first extension, then splice the gound and the other 2 sensor pins to another extension (which would be 40 feet of wire away). Of course both would have their own power supply. How about splitting a DB9 on 2 power bar extensions?
3. About the 15 meter DS18B20 on sale on the Robo-Tank website, is using this better than sending an extension with sensor input 14m away with a 1m DS18B20? Does one way deal better with interference and any other possible distance related problem?
These 3 questions are all related to having part of the Robo-Tank system 35 to 50 feet (as a wire is routed in my basement ceiling with house mains in the way) away from the controller board. Minimally I would like temp and outlets. Maybe I can get away with sending DC signals down to SSRs instead of outlets but temp is a must. Sensor inputs would be a really nice to have. Anyway.
Now to try to understand the programming philosophy. Saw a red flags or two about ATOs and AWCs that I need to read up on.
Thanks Rob and JFReyes for putting this on my radar! Very interesting work!
Later,
Groupy
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