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 poke smot!
cognitive consonance
 
Registered: 01/08/03
Posts: 4,292
Last seen: 3 days, 12 hours
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 Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: magicfluff]
#6702483 - 03/23/07 09:09 AM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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"The black box"
Once I'm done the software, I might spend some time cleaning up/updating the "Automation" section of the main site (shroomery), so that all of the separate threads discussing pros/cons of automation, what's available, etc. As it is there's a fairly limited amount of information on the main page.
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Helge
PsilocybinFlightSpecialist
Registered: 03/17/05
Posts: 949
Loc: International Waters
Last seen: 5 hours, 57 minutes
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: poke smot!]
#6704541 - 03/23/07 09:37 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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mmmmmm.... Automization:)
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I AM THE LIQUOR!!
Employed by Walmart, Fun Department.....
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meheh
teh novice
Registered: 04/09/05
Posts: 20
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: Helge]
#6704693 - 03/23/07 10:24 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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holy fuckin sique:D
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fo sho
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Erik006
MushroomCultivator
Registered: 07/13/03
Posts: 310
Loc: Ontario
Last seen: 5 months, 14 hours
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: poke smot!]
#6741633 - 04/03/07 10:10 AM (1 year, 7 months ago) |
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Poke Smot, can you tell use more information about the system?
I'm specifically curious about what humidity sensor you used in your design, what temperature sensor. That kind of thing.
I've been working on a similar automation unit myself, albeit using a PIC instead of atmel's AVR. I've been contemplating adding the same bluetooth chip into my design, but I haven't gotten around to it as of yet.
Anyway, it'd be great to get some more info,
Kind regards,
Erik006
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At last you know what ineffable is, and what ecstacy means
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poke smot!
cognitive consonance
Registered: 01/08/03
Posts: 4,292
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: Erik006]
#6745567 - 04/04/07 09:24 AM (1 year, 7 months ago) |
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From my site,
Quote:
Two 2A solid-state relays, two 20A electromechanical relays; Fused outlets.
Two SHT11 digital humidity/temperature sensors
One internal thermistor, three extra external thermistors.
Arduino BT board, using a bluegiga bluetooth 2 modem.
The SHT11's do 12/14-bit readings, which make for more precise readings than with the thermistors.
Bluetooth is not really 100% necessary, but makes for easy wireless integration, while also transparently implementing pairing/passwords, encryption, and data reliability.
There are a few low-baud (2400bps) modems that are cheap - ones from radiometrix used for telemetry purposes. The problem with these is the need to code for reliability and security. Whenever you add wireless, along comes susceptibility to outside interference, etc. Not to mention the cost, if a computer is available nearby then it would not be necessary.
To give you an idea of the difference between the avr's 10-bit adc hooked up to a thermistor in a voltage divider:
This is about 0.2 degrees F steps, in the above pic manifested as jagged lines. The SHT11's readings are much more resolute:
Btw, that bit of software isn't complete yet, but the pictures should give you an idea. You get what you pay for, too... A parallax 28018 (a DIP breakout board with the SMT SHT11 and optional pullup resistors, is $30 from mouser.
Hope that helps.
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Erik006
MushroomCultivator
Registered: 07/13/03
Posts: 310
Loc: Ontario
Last seen: 5 months, 14 hours
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: poke smot!]
#6747416 - 04/04/07 05:22 PM (1 year, 7 months ago) |
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Very nice work, poke smot!
It seems that this could be made cheaper by abandoning the arduino bt board, since that is a fairly expensive board. (I recall it being on the order of 140$ US at sparkfun)
Why did you choose this board? Ease of coding? Less hardware design? Both?
If the price could be brought down to within of the amateur, i'm sure it would be great for the community. It is possible to use the "regular" arduino board, which saves you about 100$.
Erik006
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At last you know what ineffable is, and what ecstacy means
Edited by Erik006 (03/21/08 08:54 PM)
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poke smot!
cognitive consonance
Registered: 01/08/03
Posts: 4,292
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: Erik006]
#6749971 - 04/05/07 09:55 AM (1 year, 7 months ago) |
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It is possible to use USB. That was the original plan 
Once discussions got going with an interested friend, it was decided that bluetooth would be appropriate for the setting in which this particular prototype would be being used, as a computer was too far to run a cable.
At that point I had been playing with the arduino for a bit, and realized I needed an extra one for another project, anyway. So, I ordered another arduino NG (with USB) ($32), and to that added a bluesmirf modem from sparkfun ($60).
After fooling with that and having more inquiries into bluetooth-enabled devices, I noticed that there was an arduino BT with bluetooth onboard, instead of usb. Also, this incorporated bluetooth 2 and was rated at 100m instead of 10m.
Once again at this point I had toyed with the boards more and found more uses, plus the ones I had were getting "used" and I wanted the "prototype" to be all new hardware. And, when selling these devices I had in mind not just selling some old beat up experiment, but rather a new product made of new parts.
The parts for a box with one sensor, USB, one 2A and one 20A outlet, costs under $100 in parts, however that's certainly not what assembled units would go for. The arduino BT is expensive due to the costs of design, and the initial investment needed to produce a batch. Plus, sparkfun sells them for much more because they sell a competing product (the bluesmirf).
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Erik006
MushroomCultivator
Registered: 07/13/03
Posts: 310
Loc: Ontario
Last seen: 5 months, 14 hours
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: poke smot!]
#6796071 - 04/16/07 06:31 PM (1 year, 7 months ago) |
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So, Poke Smot! any updates so far? How is the software coming along?
Erik006
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At last you know what ineffable is, and what ecstacy means
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Helge
PsilocybinFlightSpecialist
Registered: 03/17/05
Posts: 949
Loc: International Waters
Last seen: 5 hours, 57 minutes
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: Erik006]
#6801905 - 04/17/07 10:05 PM (1 year, 7 months ago) |
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Looks pretty cool.. Hopefully everything works out for ya!!! looks like a ton of work!
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I AM THE LIQUOR!!
Employed by Walmart, Fun Department.....
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poke smot!
cognitive consonance
Registered: 01/08/03
Posts: 4,292
Last seen: 3 days, 12 hours
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: Helge]
#6820157 - 04/22/07 06:12 PM (1 year, 7 months ago) |
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It is requiring a bit of programming to get everything working the way it should
Even so, mostly everything is done. Very soon 
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kunghenke
BongBuilder
Registered: 08/10/07
Posts: 11
Last seen: 1 year, 1 month
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: poke smot!]
#7286551 - 08/12/07 04:19 AM (1 year, 3 months ago) |
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I have a similar system , not 100% ready
Components you need
1: Olimex AVR-P28 (15$)
http://www.olimex.com/dev/
2: ATmega8 (3$)
3: SHT11 sensor (You can get a free sample)
http://www.sensirion.com/en/02_sensors/03_humidity/00_humidity_temperature_sensor/02_humidity_sensor_sht11.htm
4: rs232 cable
-- That will get you started (you will also need a programmer)
-- The program i run just measure temp/humid and prints that to a serial terminal
-- if temp gets over 30C a red led goes on.
Now you need some relays to control fans etc.
Why make it harder than it has to be?
If anyone wants the code (BASCOM-AVR) i will give it out for free.
I am putting up a site with full instructions how to make a CHEAP system that does the job =)
Peace out
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I reject your reality and substitute my own.
Support your local police, beat up yourself.
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 legallyhomeless
mooch
Registered: 07/01/05
Posts: 2,351
Loc: EZRA for the Refuge
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: kunghenke]
#7287587 - 08/12/07 01:29 PM (1 year, 3 months ago) |
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awesome
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MY TRADE LIST!!!
Manure: A Start to Finish Guide
12-Pot Multi Grow Hydroponic System for Trade.
Professional Mycology Lab for Trade.
I no longer need my equipment. I have EVERYTHING you will need to grow some MONSTER mushies. Serious enquiries only. PM me.
LOTS OF MANURE FOR TRADE
Pasteurized or unpasteurized w/kelpmeal, gypsum, diatomaceous earth, and hydrated lime!! PM me
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poke smot!
cognitive consonance
Registered: 01/08/03
Posts: 4,292
Last seen: 3 days, 12 hours
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: kunghenke]
#7292171 - 08/13/07 08:23 PM (1 year, 3 months ago) |
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Way to go.
What I had in mind was bringing this technology to people who want the advanced aspects of computer control, without needing to know how to code. Simplistic solutions like dumping readings to a terminal seem unneccesary - If I want a digital readout I'll get a hygrometer. The idea behind computer-control is to have more intelligent switching than a hysteresis-style thermo/hygrostat can provide.
I'm currently working on a stand-alone version of this which is for those people who say a computer isn't neccesary. This is the version I've planned as open-source. To see the progress of this, check the forums on my site (link). There is already some good information for those who want to build their own.
I have noticed, however, that these people are few and far between.
See also, this thread:
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/6862020
Edit: the sensirion free samples are for surface-mount sensors. So, do not order one unless you know the implications of connecting one. It's small!
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Edited by SheetRooms (08/13/07 08:36 PM)
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kunghenke
BongBuilder
Registered: 08/10/07
Posts: 11
Last seen: 1 year, 1 month
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: poke smot!]
#7354841 - 08/31/07 04:38 AM (1 year, 3 months ago) |
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Got a alpha version of the PC program ready.
Screen shot
Still lots of things to do.
Next thing i will work on is a web cam interface to make time lapse movies =)
The program is coded in Delphi 7, this code is also open-source..
Thinking of putting it on sourceforge.
Will probably do a Linux version to =) Kylix is cool.
Peace out =)
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I reject your reality and substitute my own.
Support your local police, beat up yourself.
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poke smot!
cognitive consonance
Registered: 01/08/03
Posts: 4,292
Last seen: 3 days, 12 hours
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: kunghenke]
#7355058 - 08/31/07 07:49 AM (1 year, 3 months ago) |
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Cool!
kunghenke, would you consider developing your software to use an open-source protocol? I intend to make these details available open-source and some of it is already available on my forums here.
My idea with this has been that, my software is written for windows PCs. Another person is participating in this style to produce a Mac version, so why not have a unix version?
The standard is designed for devices using a microcontroller, as the goal is not to depend on the PC for continuous operation.
With an open protocol, the end user may choose which software they would like, and optionally may build their own hardware conforming to this spec. The end goal is to have a low-cost design suitable for hobbyists.
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YidakiMan
Registered: 09/28/02
Posts: 2,020
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: poke smot!]
#7355379 - 08/31/07 10:15 AM (1 year, 3 months ago) |
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Do you think you could add a CO2 monitor in order to activate fresh air intake?
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poke smot!
cognitive consonance
Registered: 01/08/03
Posts: 4,292
Last seen: 3 days, 12 hours
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: YidakiMan]
#7355634 - 08/31/07 11:18 AM (1 year, 3 months ago) |
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I'm working on that actually
I have a couple co2 sensors from futurlec, though they require some additional amplification circuitry to boost the signal to something readable by my devices.
Once I have them working, though, I'm not sure of what would be the best settings to use. What would typical co2 concentrations peak at? At which level would the "threshhold" be best? I'll have to do some investigating once I have them working.
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YidakiMan
Registered: 09/28/02
Posts: 2,020
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: poke smot!]
#7356139 - 08/31/07 02:06 PM (1 year, 3 months ago) |
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Look at GGMM, it lists the preferences for each species. Typical range is 1000-2000ppm. The level varies with the part of the cycle you are in. It would have to trigger a plethora of outputs associated with taking in fresh air. At the very least; a fan, an in-duct fogger, and a chiller coil or heater.
I'd like a sensor for the spawn incubation room as well. One that can read up to 10000-20000ppm, or whatever OSHA says is the maximum.
I'm building a farm right now. Should be producing 500lb/month in a month or two. Expecting to scale up real fast. Should be producing 1000lbs/week in two years.
I know you want to make it open source, but someone else could patent what you are doing and then sue you in the future. With all the documentation you have with dates, you would likely succeed if you fought it... and all the legal fees you endured would have to be paid back. You could avoid any expense, easily, by getting a patent first.
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poke smot!
cognitive consonance
Registered: 01/08/03
Posts: 4,292
Last seen: 3 days, 12 hours
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: YidakiMan]
#7356184 - 08/31/07 02:22 PM (1 year, 3 months ago) |
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Patents and patent attorneys are expensive, and I'm poor, which is why I've chosen to keep this mostly a hobby. The open-source part will be limited in its scope, also the terms it is released under do hold some legal weight. It is my understanding that this is what prevents people from patenting public domain works.
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YidakiMan
Registered: 09/28/02
Posts: 2,020
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Re: Automating a terrarium [Re: poke smot!]
#7358538 - 09/01/07 10:49 AM (1 year, 3 months ago) |
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Trademarks are free. If you name the product line you can get a trademark.
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