Hydroponics (Update 1/31) w/pics

[barduino]

Hi Folks

I got a question for the community.

There is no Hydroponics dedicated sensor id in MySensors Lib and probably the same with the controllers out there.

What would be better:

• Have a V_CUSTOM sensor with multiple messages inside?
• Have multiple standard sensors with single type messages inside?

So for now what I need to report and manage is:

• Is pump Running (V_STATUS)
• Pump mode Off, Normal, Schedule, Daylight (V_SCENE)?
• Minutes run/stop cycle (V_LEVEL)?
• Start/End time for timer schedule (V_LEVEL)?
• Light level for Daylight schedule (V_LEVEL)?
• Pump Switch (V_STATUS)?

So far I'm using...

MyMessage msgPump(MY_PUMP_ID, V_STATUS);
MyMessage msgLight(MY_PUMP_ID, V_LEVEL);
MyMessage msgTime(MY_PUMP_ID,V_VAR1);

Thanks

[barduino]

Hi folks,

Quick update on my progress.

I was wondering how other controllers could handle this situation.

If anyone has some input I would appreciate the feedback.

Here is how I split the nodes and messages.

Had to combine V_LEVEL with other messages such as V_VOLUME in order to have 2 similar messages on the same sensor.

I wonder if "normal"controllers just treat one message one sensor?

Cheers

[Samuel235]

I'm not sure how your have your 'home page' configured with this data but i personally would love to have 1 single panel for this on the home page of the home automation controller/display showing the vitals (temp, pump on, light on, etc) then have it as a grouped page so you click onto it and it then displays all of this data like you have posted above as a separate control page for fine tuning.

I know this is how i would have it set up in my OpenHAB system however, I have never used Vera before so I'm not sure if you can have/configure group pages like this. Either way, I love the look of this and like i mentioned before, i will be looking to do something along these lines in 2016 hopefully. Just waiting on the price of EC Probes to come down to a reasonable price and availability.

Awesome project dude, keep up the good work!

[barduino]

Hi @samuel235

I guess i've tried to re-invent the wheel.

What you see is a controller developed by me. Each "card"represents a sensor with messages inside, as long as they are of different type. This seems to be a design flaw, I've made it too flexible and UI wise is a nightmare.
They are grouped by nodes.

The image I've posted is from a phone for factor. It looks like this on anormal screen:

After this experiment, one sensor one message seems to be the way to go.

I'm also starting to experiment with openHab

Cheers

[Samuel235]

@barduino Is this connected to the same controller as the rest of your automation system? Or do you run a separate controller (vera) specifically for your hydroponic setup?

[barduino]

Hi Folks,

Another update on this project

I've finally finished with the software. Added a DHT22 for air temperature and humidity and also a Dallas for the water temperature.

Assembling the hardware was a bit more challenging then anticipated, but with no PCB, i've decided to use a proto shield and maintain support/flexibility for both UNO and MEGA boards. Soon after I've realized the code does not fit a UNO (too much debug eventually)

Also created a simple case to enclose it all.

The Column it self

If anyone would likr to take a look at the code, feed back is much appreciated!

Hydro9.zip

Finally the dashboard looks like this

Cheers

EDIT: Forgot to add the startup log

Starting sensor (RNNNA-, 1.6.0-beta)
Radio init successful.
Initializing DHT... Done!
Dallas Temperature IC Control Library Demo
Locating devices...Found 1 devices.
Parasite power is: OFF
Device 0 Address: 2817611D070000C3
Device 0 Resolution: 9
RTC module activated

The DS1302 is write protected. This normal.

RTC Sync TieStatus: 2 timeSet 2 Ok!
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=1,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=ok:
read: 0-0-7 s=255,c=3,t=1,pt=0,l=10,sg=0:1454110229
Time value received: 1454110229
Pump Time:2016/01/29 23:30:28 
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=15,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,st=ok:0
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=10,sg=0,st=ok:1.6.0-beta
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,st=ok:0
read: 0-0-7 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=0,l=1,sg=0:M
Starting presentation
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=6,sg=0,st=ok:Hydro9
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=4,sg=0,st=ok:v0.1
send: 7-7-0-0 s=1,c=0,t=3,pt=0,l=11,sg=0,st=ok:Pump Switch
send: 7-7-0-0 s=2,c=0,t=23,pt=0,l=10,sg=0,st=ok:Pump Cycle
send: 7-7-0-0 s=3,c=0,t=25,pt=0,l=9,sg=0,st=ok:Pump Mode
send: 7-7-0-0 s=4,c=0,t=23,pt=0,l=14,sg=0,st=ok:Pump Scheduler
send: 7-7-0-0 s=5,c=0,t=23,pt=0,l=13,sg=0,st=ok:Pump Daylight
send: 7-7-0-0 s=6,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=10,sg=0,st=ok:Air Sensor
send: 7-7-0-0 s=7,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=12,sg=0,st=ok:Water Sensor
send: 7-7-0-0 s=10,c=0,t=23,pt=0,l=9,sg=0,st=ok:Pump Time
End presentation
Init complete, id=7, parent=0, distance=1
**************** PUMP STATUS ***********************
Pump Mode is:  Daylight
Pump Cycle:    On:15 Off:15
Pump Schedule: Start:07:33 Stop:17:30
Pump Daylight: Start:70 Current:59
Pump Time:     2016/01/29 23:30:34 
****************************************************
************* ENVIRONMENT STATUS *******************
Air temperature:10.60 Air humidity:37.90
Water temperature:10.00
****************************************************
send: 7-7-0-0 s=1,c=1,t=2,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,st=ok:0
send: 7-7-0-0 s=3,c=1,t=19,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:3
send: 7-7-0-0 s=4,c=1,t=24,pt=0,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:07:33
send: 7-7-0-0 s=4,c=1,t=25,pt=0,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:17:30
send: 7-7-0-0 s=5,c=1,t=37,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:70
send: 7-7-0-0 s=5,c=1,t=35,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:59
send: 7-7-0-0 s=2,c=1,t=37,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:15
send: 7-7-0-0 s=2,c=1,t=35,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:15
send: 7-7-0-0 s=10,c=1,t=24,pt=0,l=20,sg=0,st=ok:2016/01/29 23:30:34 
send: 7-7-0-0 s=6,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:10.6
send: 7-7-0-0 s=6,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:37.9
send: 7-7-0-0 s=7,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:10.0
2016/01/29 23:30:34 Light level: 59

[Samuel235]

@barduino - Fantastic! I absolutely love this project of yours dude. Keep it evolving over time, make some upgrades and mods and you will be on to even more of a winner. The first thing i would advise as Revision/Version 2 would be to get that all put onto PCB's, get the footprint of the electronics small as you can, have it so the power comes into a connector on the side of the box rather than a cable running in. Then, I'd get those electronics inside of the column itself. either in the base or the top would be the obvious place to go for. Please don't stop here, its functional now, but make it a 'whole package' and you will be loved by thousands! Well, if you can class me as thousands that is.

Seriously good work though. I'm now expecting you to show us a video of everything working and integrated ;)

[barduino]

@samuel235

Thanks for your enthusiastic support!!! :smiley:

The reason for the big power supply is that I intend to have 2 solenoid valves to control the water flow, one to send water to the column the other to recirculate the water in the bucket (needed when adding nutrients or adjusting the PH). Those run on 12v and can consume some amps.

The next step would be to add a water level sensor, I'll fry the pump if the water level drops to low.

The most difficult parts to get are the PH sensor and the TPM/TDS sensor, not only expensive but most of then are not designed to be permanently submerged.

In the long run I'm also planning for 3 peristaltic pumps to send nutrients, acidic solution and base solution to adjust PH and nutrients level. These often run on 12v.

The idea of getting the electronics on the column is quite interesting. It would have to be on top since the rest of the column is not water tight. I would need to find some clever way to deal with the cables.

Any way, I've just finished adding the plants. Not the ideal time to plant anything (its winter here) but the frost is gone and they say lettuce goes well with cold temperatures.
This is what it looks like week 0. We'll see how it goes.

Cheers

[Samuel235]

@barduino - No need to explain anything about hydroponics to me, I sent myself insane with researching it in the hope to do something like this. But like you also mentioned, the cost of the PH and nutrient sensors was just too much for me right now, i can't justify that in my current situation, which is why i'm passionate and enjoying your project :)

[Dwalt]

@barduino I stumbled across this project a year or so ago while researching something similar to your project. There are some good resources there. I never got around to following up on it but your project is tempting me...mixing water with electronics, what's not to love.