FYI- More progress on the aquarium controller

[wanareef]

More progress on the aquarium controller:

DIY Aquarium Controller
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Finally, a note about the signup page for boards. We are nearing the 15 person number for the Aquarium Controller, and we don't even have a board layed out for it yet. This is a very promising sign, and I appreciate the interest and support. Currently, I am using the signup sheet as an indication of the interest in the controller currently, so it is in no way binding. The people who have signed up for boards that are already designed and layed out can check to see how close to the 15 minimu we are for that particular project, and those boards will be made ASAP as soon as the 15 people are listed. Since some people have asked how the controller project will be built, I have made a table of the 5 pcbs required to make the basic controller as well as the 4 add-on modules currently designed. The basic controller can control 16 X-10 relays based on time, temp and floatswitches. The software allows control of 5 direct relays as well for a total of up to 21 switched devices. It also allows control by pH and ORP if they are installed.

When we are finished with the layout of the board, we will have exact prices for the boards that currently are not designed, and I will contact the people on the list who have expressed an interest in the complete controller kit about the cost of the 5 basic pcbs required. I will also have the complete parts list with sources, and will most likely have kits of all the parts available as a package here. I will continue to update the pages as more progress is made and things are finalized.

PCBs required to construct a complete controller:
GSLcd controller
SO6 to DIP adapter
QSOP to DIP adapter
Atmega128 adapter
Aquarium Controller Circuitboard
Optional:
pH probe module pcb
ORP probe module pcb
Internet module pcb
5 Direct Relay module pcb



Thanks again for all the support, things are going well with the project...All code is finished except for the RS232 interface which will allow you to set-up the controller using a PC based software utility, it will also allow a "live update" via the RS232 port to display all the measured paramaters on the PC (I guess remotely if you use a long enough RS232 cord heh). I am also probably going to grab a linksys RS232 to WiFi adapter and try that when we get things finished...it may be a nice option for people who want remote monitoring while waiting for the Internet module to be finished...stay tuned. SWN

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