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Offlinesplifner180
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Computer Control / Automation
    #5490998 - 04/07/06 08:51 PM (17 years, 9 months ago)

Did a search for [+computer +control], found nothing.

Anyone know of any attempts at doing complete computer control for temps, RH, fans, etc?

I think it would be incredible to be able to control your parameters to such a fine degree that you could play around with multiple trays in slightly varying environments to find optimal levels. You'd be able to isolate certain variables and change only one parameter and see what fit best.

Of course you'd run into a classic local optima problem quickly but that's another rant.

So ...anyone know of hardware/software that could do this? Anyone have any experience with such a setup?

tia - splif


--------------------
First Grow: Ecuador -> LC -> HPoo/Straw -> Monotub
Build a Do-It-Yourself Magnetic Stirrer in thirty minutes with no money.


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Offlinemogur
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Re: Computer Control / Automation [Re: splifner180]
    #5491205 - 04/07/06 09:59 PM (17 years, 9 months ago)

Cappa and I are full on that. PIC microprocessor, humidity sensor, temp sensor, FAE timer, and light timer. Prototyping now, will publish as soon as we can gather the electronics. If you have specifics for your preference of parameters, it will help us come up with the backbone of its capabilities. But, being micro controlled, the flexibility is endless. So, what do you want to see for the core capabilities?


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Offlinesplifner180
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Re: Computer Control / Automation [Re: mogur]
    #5491324 - 04/07/06 10:40 PM (17 years, 9 months ago)

I should probably begin my reply by saying that I've never grown before. I'm just thinking ahead. I definitely cannot give you operational parameters per se.

But the core capabilities would be...

1) Inexpensive.
2) Temp and RH control and logging in real-time.
3) Temp and RH controllable by schedule.
4) USB/Serial interface.
5) Graphing capabilities in software.

Hopefully this is clear. While I am a programmer, I have zero experience with sensor controls.

splif


--------------------
First Grow: Ecuador -> LC -> HPoo/Straw -> Monotub
Build a Do-It-Yourself Magnetic Stirrer in thirty minutes with no money.


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Offlineredshadow
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Re: Computer Control / Automation [Re: splifner180]
    #5491658 - 04/08/06 12:52 AM (17 years, 9 months ago)

i think a PH reading would be kinda cool to. dunno though, ive just staring inmy path as a computer programmer so i know something like this would be very complicated to write.


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=<{:  Its only when you've lost everything that your free to do anything.......  :}>=


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OfflineMerchantP
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Re: Computer Control / Automation [Re: redshadow]
    #5491757 - 04/08/06 01:32 AM (17 years, 9 months ago)

how bout a c02 probe?


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OfflineYefet2000
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Re: Computer Control / Automation [Re: MerchantP]
    #5492148 - 04/08/06 08:12 AM (17 years, 9 months ago)

Well one thing i have to say : DoubleTub !
No probing RH PH FAE.
Minimum handling and Amazing fruits...


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Me fail english ? Thats unpossible...


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Offlinekungpow
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Re: Computer Control / Automation [Re: Yefet2000]
    #5492212 - 04/08/06 09:00 AM (17 years, 9 months ago)

I myself will be going into my sophmore year at college for my BSEE and I believe that I would have a lot of knowledge to help out on this. I would really like to set something up like this. My major is electrical engineering and my minor is CS.

I don't think that you would want your home pc to run the setup. I believe that it would be better with a small console that sits on the outside of your FC with a touchscreen LCD. But that is getting a little bit on the expensive side. If you want logging and graphing capabilities I would give the option to save the data on a memory card. Or at least a usb port so you can plug your pen drive in. Or even just unplug it from the FC and plug it into the computer.

But you want to make this as cost effective as possible. That is the main problem with a computer controlled FC. I think that it might just cost too much to be worth it. I think it would be fun to do for yourseelf but you aren't going to be able to sell any.

~Peace Out


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Monotub #3 - check out my best grow to date!!!!



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OfflineMycomyth
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Re: Computer Control / Automation [Re: kungpow]
    #5492334 - 04/08/06 10:17 AM (17 years, 9 months ago)

Check out reefcentral.com. In the DIY forum, there are already many core designs that would only need slight modification to fit these parameters. Best of all, the designers have given their work to the public domain, and they are free to use, and modify, however you see fit. Most of them are already setup to provide MANY more measurements than you have slated right now. (pH, conductivity, lighting schedules w/ daylength and moonphase tracking, cooling fan cycles, etc...etc...etc)

hth,
Myc


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Wave upon wave of demented avengers marched cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream.


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Offlinesplifner180
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Re: Computer Control / Automation [Re: Mycomyth]
    #5494091 - 04/08/06 06:30 PM (17 years, 9 months ago)

redshadow writes:
i think a PH reading would be kinda cool to.

It would, but I'm intereted in not only logging but control. Getting into ph-adjustment automation is out of the realm of reasonable for my pocketbook right now. Besides, how would you introduce a ph adjustment?

MerchantP writes:
how bout a c02 probe?

Definitely a distant third on my list but certainly more tenable than ph (in the realm of feedback/control).

Yefet2000 writes:
Well one thing i have to say : DoubleTub !

Well, yes, but what I'm interested in accomplishing is tweaking parameters. For example, what is the ideal FAE (and therefore how large should I make my holes)?

DT will give me a great crop but the question I'm wondering is "could it be better?" Hence this project.

Keep in mind that I'm thinking WAY ahead. I have yet to do a single grow. I know I have to walk before I run. But if I dig this -- and I have many reasons to suppose I will -- then it won't be long before my tinkering nature gets the best of me.

kungpow writes:
I myself will be going into my sophmore year at college for my BSEE and I believe that I would have a lot of knowledge to help out on this. I would really like to set something up like this.

Definitely.

Though I'm not sure it would be *too* expensive. After all, I just want the information to be fed down a USB cable instead of displayed on a LCD. Computer takes a record every n seconds, plots to a graph much like Windows Task Manager does on the Performance tab. And with the ability to say simple stuff like "if temp falls below x then complete a circut which provides power to the aquarium water heater in the doubletub."

Here is a nice temp thermostat. All I'm really looking for is that plus RH% with a data I/O.

Mycomyth writes:
Check out reefcentral.com. In the DIY forum, there are already many core designs that would only need slight modification to fit these parameters

GOOD CALL!! Thanks man!

splif


--------------------
First Grow: Ecuador -> LC -> HPoo/Straw -> Monotub
Build a Do-It-Yourself Magnetic Stirrer in thirty minutes with no money.


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Offlinefozi
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Re: Computer Control / Automation [Re: splifner180]
    #5494135 - 04/08/06 06:40 PM (17 years, 9 months ago)

I just bought a digital timer that turns on mini fans every 4 hours 6 times a day, 7 days a week for one minute.. works like a charm.. no need for a computer.. 17 bucks at home depot.. want pics?? pm me.


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Invisiblemusher_420
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Re: Computer Control / Automation [Re: fozi]
    #5494216 - 04/08/06 07:11 PM (17 years, 9 months ago)

I've over looked this information
http://www.shroomery.org/index.php/par/23516

I think this would be really cool as well.

Personally I think the best set up you could have for this would be a mini-greenhouse setup using a blower fan and a ultrasonic fogger. (Like what agar has been posting about)

I'm also taking Electrical engineering specifically micro control. I think this would be a really fun project.

I think the software could be the biggest hang up for people as well as having to devoting a PC to the set up...

I think I'd rather go for something a little simpler. All you really need is to have the fogger set up to turn on and off as to maintain humidity.

I've only started taking digital basics in January but I think this could be done by setting your humidity parameters by switches, having an analog to digital converter for the input and just use a comparator....

I'm just learning this stuff myself but applying some of my new found knowledge to my favorite hobby would be awesome.

I'd be willing to do build some circuits and do some testing.


--------------------
My Humidifier Reservoir Expansion Tek

Must read links for beginners

Btw- You are not what you own!


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Offlinesplifner180
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Re: Computer Control / Automation [Re: splifner180]
    #5494298 - 04/08/06 07:37 PM (17 years, 9 months ago)

Maybe I should have been a bit more specific with my post.  I get the impression that people are thinking "you can get good results without all that junk!"

Which is true.

But I'm wondering things like "What gross wet weight will I achieve if I incubate at a 100%-steady 82F?  Does the yield increase if I move to a constant 83F?  How about if I cycle the temps from 80F to 84F over the course of every four hours?  How about every six?  Does emulating a Pacific Northwest fall environment help?"

Again, we're talking a local maxima question/problem here, but it isn't something I can accomplish without rigorous control.

But, having said that, these ideas are more for people who like to tinker.  Not for people who want reliable results.  And I'm a tinkerer at heart.  :wink:

splif


--------------------
First Grow: Ecuador -> LC -> HPoo/Straw -> Monotub
Build a Do-It-Yourself Magnetic Stirrer in thirty minutes with no money.


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Offlinemogur
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Re: Computer Control / Automation [Re: splifner180]
    #5494643 - 04/08/06 09:14 PM (17 years, 9 months ago)

Our unit could do data logging if left connected to a PC, but doesn't have enough eeprom for effective stand-alone logging. It is meant to be used most simply with the default set-points, and for those that want to manipulate the parameters (like you do, splifner), can be connected to desktop/laptop via a USB cable and then all setpoints and even hysteresis are available for customization. We aren't screwing with Ph, and CO2/O2 sensor input is designed in, but will not be implemented on first prototypes. In order to keep cost down, there is no local display of parameters, and it runs stand-alone, but settings are manipulated thru a PC (personal computer, not pressure cooker).

Thanks for all the input, even if not meant to help our project, and good luck, splifner. Will let you play with one of our prototypes, if you care to, when we get there.


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OfflineDrEllisDTripper
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Re: Computer Control / Automation [Re: fozi]
    #6341693 - 12/06/06 06:07 PM (17 years, 1 month ago)

I think you're on the right track here. The day after christmas, electric timers will be in the bargain bins.

Instead of monitoring in real time, which would be nice, but expensive, what about taking measurements and using timers? Example: Every time I run a humidifier for 2 minutes, the humidity stays at x humidity for y amount of time. In order to keep humidity at x +/- z, I need to run it for every ? minutes, hours, etc. It would be as effective as automation, much cheaper. It may vary with strains though, but not much. Same with temperature measurements.

That said, I'm still wanting to build an automated set-up...


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