Sensors and controllers

[Sjeffie]

Well, there are also much cheaper solutions which has almost the same possibilities.

 

Take a look at the "labjack" :

 

http://www.labjack.com/

 

Edited March 30, 2004 by Sjeffie

[Takeshi]

Has anyone tried using the DrDAQ to monitor a growroom? The software for it looks pretty easy to work.

 

They come with (onboard) temp and light sensor, and can handle pH and two other probes.

 

I was thinking of putitng the unit near the entrance to my exhaust vent so it can monitor temp of air on the way out, and the light sensor can tell me if the light has come on as expected.

 

Was also thinking of maybe a temp + pH for the res tank also. Leaves one spare for something else later (maybe EC).

 

Think it is a bit sus checking on my room regularly so though this might be useful to check things out without a visit - don't want to waste money though if someone has had a bad time with one of these before.

[rosscopico0]

Hey Wilderbud,

have a look at Arduino and also Mbed micros.

They are pretty cheap, there is HEAPS of open source software out there, which can be easily modified to suit different purposes. You get get different "shields" for arduino which are essentially plug in breakout boards to suit different purposes.

 

Also for sensors, why not just hack an old pH meter, and a EC meter and make it them inputs....would be a shitload cheaper than industrial sensors, depends how big your growroom is tho.

Also consider using a mux (multiplexer) to expand your number of inputs.

 

I too have been considering this as a project, just gotta complete, my other micro projects first!

[WeleaseBwian]

Interesting thread this. I've been toying with Arduino for exactly this reason for a while now..

I previously had little experience with programming but have got a prototype up and running that is basic but effective and relatively cheap when compared to a Growtronix, Harvest Master etc..

So far I've got data logging going for RH, Temp, Light levels, run times and control of fans, heater, lights, pumps and humidifier/de-humidifier. Got a bit sidetracked of late working on logic. Eg making sure the extraction fan and heater don't fight it out or measuring the rate of temp change and allowing for lights of calculations too.

Easy to get caught up in the minutia I know.

There are plenty of grow rooms out there driven by Arduino I know but I wanted to have crack at my own as my focus is not just on automation, but optimal automation. Smoothing out the bumps so to speak..

The possibilities are bountiful with heaps of sensors cheaply available and control equipment like volumetric pumps and relays..

 

Interested to know if any OSers are using anything similar.