10-17-2017, 02:32 PM
Hello, it's update time. Sorry it's been a while, was a busy summer and now it's gone... I'm hoping to focus on the controller over the next few months and see what I can accomplish. I know there's still quite a few requests not fulfilled yet, don't worry I'm not done and will get to them. :)
This update is bigger than it might appear, I've changed the structure and how the controller operates and communicates with the display and fixed a bunch of other small issues. Previously the RTC (real time clock) was on the display, it managed all the schedules and sent signals to the controller. Because of that the system relied on the display to fully function. I've moved the RTC to the controller and everything is done on it now. This update does require you to move the RTC from display board to the controller, in the update I included some instructions and an image showing what to look for. Sorry for the extra trouble but it had to be done.
With this change the controller will run and startup without the display. The controller only restarts when the time is changed. Instead of using 3 ports for communicating everything is done on one port eliminating any chance of crosstalk. This will definitely improve reliability as everything is done on a single processor. It's also good for the future, now a full function app will be easier to implement.
Because of the change I had to move and redo a lot of existing code as everything ties in together, during this I found and was informed of some issues/bugs and got them solved. The biggest issue I found was with eeprom locations for the dosing pumps so if you experienced any issues that will be solved. There was also a couple web related issues, some visual errors in UI and LED low/high mode had an issue.
That's the major part of the update but I didn't want to put it out without some new additions you can actually see, so there's three new features.
The first is simple, the equipment log now logs if the heaters were turned on/off via temperature.
2nd is full calibration for Atlas Scientific circuits. As you might know 3 of the 4 circuits have temperature compensation built in, the controller sends the water temperature every two minutes to the circuits using the main water temp sensor. When you calibrate its useful to use a temperature sensor in the solution for better accuracy so once you view the calibration screen the temperature is sent to the circuit using "temperature 4" port on the controller every 20 seconds. I did that so you wouldn't need to pull out or unplug the sensor from your aquarium. I probably should have put an option to select the temp port to use but today its temp 4.
![[Image: hardware_atlas_settings.jpg]](https://www.robo-tank.ca/pictures/screenshots/hardware_atlas_settings.jpg)
This is the calibration settings screen where you can set the buffer solution values you use for calibrating. If I'm missing any let me know.
![[Image: hardware_atlas_cal_settings.jpg]](https://www.robo-tank.ca/pictures/screenshots/hardware_atlas_cal_settings.jpg)
When you select a circuit for calibrating you get a screen like this to select the calibration method. Here you can also clear the current calibration data which is useful if you mess around and want to do a proper calibration from scratch. It's recommended to do that before a calibration if your probe wasn't previously calibrated.
![[Image: hardware_atlas_cal_type_ph.jpg]](https://www.robo-tank.ca/pictures/screenshots/hardware_atlas_cal_type_ph.jpg)
This is the screen you get during calibration, its basically the same for all circuits except color and some instructions are slightly different.
![[Image: hardware_atlas_cal_ph.jpg]](https://www.robo-tank.ca/pictures/screenshots/hardware_atlas_cal_ph.jpg)
You also get a prompt before anything that will affect the settings on the circuit. Because all calibration values are stored on the circuit this can't be undone.
![[Image: hardware_atlas_cal_warning.jpg]](https://www.robo-tank.ca/pictures/screenshots/hardware_atlas_cal_warning.jpg)
And finally the 3rd new feature is for magnetic stirrers. These are used for the dosing pump reservoirs, they're good if you mix ingredients and for keeping the solution fresh.
Technically there's no limit on how many can be connected but you can control up to 8 individually, one for each dosing pump. They connect to LED channel 8-16, currently these channels can be used for lights or stirrers. I'll be adding other equipment control for these pins over time since most people don't use 16 channels for LED's.
When the stirrer is enabled the slider on the light pages will be replaced with text saying "stirrer enabled". The stirrer will automatically start when the dosing schedule comes along or you do a manual dose, it'll run for 30 seconds, there will be a 3 second pause and the dosing pump will startup.
The only setting is to enable/disable the stirrer on the dosing pump settings page. If you do a manual dose on this screen or the dosing pump screen it'll tell you the stirrer is running and when the pump runs. The home screen also tells you the stirrer is running above the dosing pumps.
![[Image: hardware_dosing.jpg]](https://www.robo-tank.ca/pictures/screenshots/hardware_dosing.jpg)
And now for the sales pitch. :)
I designed a high quality magnetic stirrer that has two modes and can be used with or without the controller. If its connected to the controller it runs as described above and in manual mode you can use it for water tests or whatever. It can be powered using a standard 9-32v DC adapter or 9v battery. If a battery is installed you can't connect an external power source. It has a bright 3528 LED and holders for API test vile and others. If you need a custom size holder I can make one.
![[Image: stirrer_6-Optimized.JPG]](https://www.robo-tank.ca/pictures/stirrer_6-Optimized.JPG)
You can find it in the store here.
https://www.robo-tank.ca/en/Robo-Tank-Pl...70c83.html
And here's a video showing how it works.
https://youtu.be/tHqt2TEyY9I
This update is bigger than it might appear, I've changed the structure and how the controller operates and communicates with the display and fixed a bunch of other small issues. Previously the RTC (real time clock) was on the display, it managed all the schedules and sent signals to the controller. Because of that the system relied on the display to fully function. I've moved the RTC to the controller and everything is done on it now. This update does require you to move the RTC from display board to the controller, in the update I included some instructions and an image showing what to look for. Sorry for the extra trouble but it had to be done.
With this change the controller will run and startup without the display. The controller only restarts when the time is changed. Instead of using 3 ports for communicating everything is done on one port eliminating any chance of crosstalk. This will definitely improve reliability as everything is done on a single processor. It's also good for the future, now a full function app will be easier to implement.
Because of the change I had to move and redo a lot of existing code as everything ties in together, during this I found and was informed of some issues/bugs and got them solved. The biggest issue I found was with eeprom locations for the dosing pumps so if you experienced any issues that will be solved. There was also a couple web related issues, some visual errors in UI and LED low/high mode had an issue.
That's the major part of the update but I didn't want to put it out without some new additions you can actually see, so there's three new features.
The first is simple, the equipment log now logs if the heaters were turned on/off via temperature.
2nd is full calibration for Atlas Scientific circuits. As you might know 3 of the 4 circuits have temperature compensation built in, the controller sends the water temperature every two minutes to the circuits using the main water temp sensor. When you calibrate its useful to use a temperature sensor in the solution for better accuracy so once you view the calibration screen the temperature is sent to the circuit using "temperature 4" port on the controller every 20 seconds. I did that so you wouldn't need to pull out or unplug the sensor from your aquarium. I probably should have put an option to select the temp port to use but today its temp 4.
- pH circuit 1 and 2 - 1, 2 or 3 point calibration
- ORP circuit - 1 point calibration
- Dissolved Oxygen - 1 or 2 point calibration
- Conductivity - one time dry calibration and 2 point
This is the calibration settings screen where you can set the buffer solution values you use for calibrating. If I'm missing any let me know.
When you select a circuit for calibrating you get a screen like this to select the calibration method. Here you can also clear the current calibration data which is useful if you mess around and want to do a proper calibration from scratch. It's recommended to do that before a calibration if your probe wasn't previously calibrated.
This is the screen you get during calibration, its basically the same for all circuits except color and some instructions are slightly different.
You also get a prompt before anything that will affect the settings on the circuit. Because all calibration values are stored on the circuit this can't be undone.
And finally the 3rd new feature is for magnetic stirrers. These are used for the dosing pump reservoirs, they're good if you mix ingredients and for keeping the solution fresh.
Technically there's no limit on how many can be connected but you can control up to 8 individually, one for each dosing pump. They connect to LED channel 8-16, currently these channels can be used for lights or stirrers. I'll be adding other equipment control for these pins over time since most people don't use 16 channels for LED's.
When the stirrer is enabled the slider on the light pages will be replaced with text saying "stirrer enabled". The stirrer will automatically start when the dosing schedule comes along or you do a manual dose, it'll run for 30 seconds, there will be a 3 second pause and the dosing pump will startup.
The only setting is to enable/disable the stirrer on the dosing pump settings page. If you do a manual dose on this screen or the dosing pump screen it'll tell you the stirrer is running and when the pump runs. The home screen also tells you the stirrer is running above the dosing pumps.
And now for the sales pitch. :)
I designed a high quality magnetic stirrer that has two modes and can be used with or without the controller. If its connected to the controller it runs as described above and in manual mode you can use it for water tests or whatever. It can be powered using a standard 9-32v DC adapter or 9v battery. If a battery is installed you can't connect an external power source. It has a bright 3528 LED and holders for API test vile and others. If you need a custom size holder I can make one.
You can find it in the store here.
https://www.robo-tank.ca/en/Robo-Tank-Pl...70c83.html
And here's a video showing how it works.
https://youtu.be/tHqt2TEyY9I
