My Arduino & LEDs
- Thread starter apoulin
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SameSane
Member
Hy there 
I'm working as a developer and my company has written an Open Source IoT App Server, which is completely event driven (I dont want to advertise, just inform so I don't provide a link to github).
We already build a flower test setup (just a normal room plant) that monitored all important factors like light, humidity, temp and soil moisture sending the data wirelesse to a Data Hub. The Data itself can then be seen on a web based application running on a raspberry pi powered by our App Server. So all you need is a smartphone or browser to watch after your garden.
Now I want to take this to a whole new level by adding actors like a Climate Controller and Light Patterns to simulate real lighting conditions. If someone here is interested to party up just drop me a message. My plans are to create an Open Source (Hard- and Software) Solution to automate Plant Growth for Indoor and Outdoor puposes and give this to the masses. The market for grow automation isnt that big atm and the prices are beyond cool. Most Automation Systems are also only hardware based and expensive as fuck. So if someone is interested, please contact me.
I'm working as a developer and my company has written an Open Source IoT App Server, which is completely event driven (I dont want to advertise, just inform so I don't provide a link to github). We already build a flower test setup (just a normal room plant) that monitored all important factors like light, humidity, temp and soil moisture sending the data wirelesse to a Data Hub. The Data itself can then be seen on a web based application running on a raspberry pi powered by our App Server. So all you need is a smartphone or browser to watch after your garden.
Now I want to take this to a whole new level by adding actors like a Climate Controller and Light Patterns to simulate real lighting conditions. If someone here is interested to party up just drop me a message. My plans are to create an Open Source (Hard- and Software) Solution to automate Plant Growth for Indoor and Outdoor puposes and give this to the masses. The market for grow automation isnt that big atm and the prices are beyond cool. Most Automation Systems are also only hardware based and expensive as fuck. So if someone is interested, please contact me.
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
I'm interested, and I might have some unusual parameters for you to track.Hy there
We already build a flower test setup (just a normal room plant) that monitored all important factors like light, humidity, temp and soil moisture sending the data wirelesse to a Data Hub. The Data itself can then be seen on a web based application running on a raspberry pi powered by our App Server. So all you need is a smartphone or browser to watch after your garden.
Now I want to take this to a whole new level by adding actors like a Climate Controller and Light Patterns to simulate real lighting conditions. If someone here is interested to party up just drop me a message. My plans are to create an Open Source (Hard- and Software) Solution to automate Plant Growth for Indoor and Outdoor puposes and give this to the masses. The market for grow automation isnt that big atm and the prices are beyond cool. Most Automation Systems are also only hardware based and expensive as fuck. So if someone is interested, please contact me.
Organic Miner
Well-Known Member
SameSane
Member
Ok, great. How experienced are you guys in Programming related things, or micro electronics in general?
First of all, there is our App Server called SUSI („Susi is a Universal System Interface“), it's an recursive acronym if you're wondering.
It's purpose in theory isn't exactly to grow plants. But it can help automate, monitor and gather Data from Micro Electronics. So it perfectly fits our needs in this case. Just to clear out, that my employer doesn't works in the cannabis or agriculture industry. It's my own approach on using the technology we created.
Well, to give you an example for purposes outside of the cannabis sector:
I think a lot of people in developing countries can not afford technology for grow automation, but on the other hand this automation is one of the key ingridients for a well working agriculture. So if you opensource this type of tech, you make it affordable for people which needs it really badly and you're able to tackle global problems like alleviating world hunger. Just as a side note to explain my main motivation. But fuck yeah, I really enjoy good weed as we all do.
Where do you think is on of your biggest need for automatization? Watering, Light or even Mixing Nutrients? Let's just gather some examples, so I can get a better point of view.
First of all, there is our App Server called SUSI („Susi is a Universal System Interface“), it's an recursive acronym if you're wondering.
It's purpose in theory isn't exactly to grow plants. But it can help automate, monitor and gather Data from Micro Electronics. So it perfectly fits our needs in this case. Just to clear out, that my employer doesn't works in the cannabis or agriculture industry. It's my own approach on using the technology we created.
Well, to give you an example for purposes outside of the cannabis sector:
I think a lot of people in developing countries can not afford technology for grow automation, but on the other hand this automation is one of the key ingridients for a well working agriculture. So if you opensource this type of tech, you make it affordable for people which needs it really badly and you're able to tackle global problems like alleviating world hunger. Just as a side note to explain my main motivation. But fuck yeah, I really enjoy good weed as we all do.
Ok great, what do you mean by „unusual“ parameters?
Where do you think is on of your biggest need for automatization? Watering, Light or even Mixing Nutrients? Let's just gather some examples, so I can get a better point of view.
Last edited:
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
RDWC water depth and temperature, and my chilling system hot and cold water temperatures.Ok, great. How experienced are you guys in Programming related things, or micro electronics in general?
First of all, there is our App Server called SUSI („Susi is a Universal System Interface“), it's an recursive acronym if you're wondering.
It's purpose in theory isn't exactly to grow plants. But it can help automate, monitor and gather Data from Micro Electronics. So it perfectly fits our needs in this case. Just to clear out, that my employer doesn't works in the cannabis or agriculture industry. It's my own approach on using the technology we created.
Well, to give you an example for purposes outside of the cannabis sector:
I think a lot of people in developing countries can not afford technology for grow automation, but on the other hand this automation is one of the key ingridients for a well working agriculture. So if you opensource this type of tech, you make it affordable for people which needs it really badly and you're able to tackle global problems like alleviating world hunger. Just as a side note to explain my main motivation. But fuck yeah, I really enjoy good weed as we all do.
Ok great, what do you mean by „unusual“ parameters?
Where do you think is on of your biggest need for automatization? Watering, Light or even Mixing Nutrients? Let's just gather some examples, so I can get a better point of view.
alesh
Well-Known Member
That's a disappointment. I was hoping for more unusual parameters
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
I still have those, too. Figured I'd start somewhere basic, lolThat's a disappointment. I was hoping for more unusual parameters
On the other hand, integrating grow system controls with growing environment controls IS unusual.
Great, Im currently commuting. When I arrive I will ask you more in depth questions.
alesh
Well-Known Member
That's very interesting. You provide the App Server for free? Is there some more info somewhere?Hy there
We already build a flower test setup (just a normal room plant) that monitored all important factors like light, humidity, temp and soil moisture sending the data wirelesse to a Data Hub. The Data itself can then be seen on a web based application running on a raspberry pi powered by our App Server. So all you need is a smartphone or browser to watch after your garden.
Now I want to take this to a whole new level by adding actors like a Climate Controller and Light Patterns to simulate real lighting conditions. If someone here is interested to party up just drop me a message. My plans are to create an Open Source (Hard- and Software) Solution to automate Plant Growth for Indoor and Outdoor puposes and give this to the masses. The market for grow automation isnt that big atm and the prices are beyond cool. Most Automation Systems are also only hardware based and expensive as fuck. So if someone is interested, please contact me.
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
I could use VPD.VPD, matric potential, osmotic potential? Epiphyte tracker
SameSane
Member
Oh yes, it's open Source written in C++ but has some Language Engines like Go, NodeJS, Python. So you are able to write in your own programming language in order to use Susi. More Language Engines can be added easily since Susi is very lightweight and relies on just a few functions.
Here's the github Link: http://github.com/webvariants/susi
There's some documentation which explains it more in depth.
Alright, to monitor Water Depth, there are enough cheap Sensors on the market, somewhere between 2$ - 5$.
http://www.practicalarduino.com/projects/water-tank-depth-sensor
For the chilling System it would be best to use a flow water temperature sensor like this one:
http://de.aliexpress.com/store/product/5PCS-LOT-Water-heater-thermostat-water-flow-sensor-with-temperature-sensor-Quaranteed-100/509383_609219326.html?storeId=509383
These can be attached directly into your tube system, so it can measure more precisely than a hanging sensor could in your reservoire, since I would guess there are different temperature layers inside your reservoire because of your lighting for example, or just because of the fact that water physically builds different temp layers in general.
For Deep Water Cultures, one can utilize optical oxygen sensors also. Measuring o2 precisely is hard, but it can help to find flaws in the design of your system.
Sadly they're quite expensive. (minimum 300$ I would guess).
Alright so all you need to grab these sensors data is one or more arduino (depends on physical and practical constraints in your garden) which has enough of the right sockets for the designated amount of sensors which can then send the data to a Raspberry Pi. This Raspberry Pi acts as Data Hub/Server and also serves your data via web app to your Consuming Device (Browser, Smartphone etc).
Alright so we now have covered the WaterPart with Sensors. Next could be to monitor your CO2 in your growroom, so if you add CO2 from a bottle you can then level your CO2 Valve to hold your CO2 levels steady. http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=52387.0
In my first prototype I had also a very simple Light Sensor which only needs to determine of the light is on or out. It's more a safety feature to be able to alarm the user, that your light should be on, but it isn't because it's broken or whatever.
Some Grow Data on the other Hand is very hard to monitor. Like Soil Moisture, which I need to be aware of. There are millions of different soil moisture sensors, and I tried a few, but there were always horribly wrong. An alternative could be to weigh your pots and compare your current weight with the weight after watering. But this is also very messy.
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
Maybe some RDWC are flawed in the ways you suggest, mine is not one of them. I'd want a water level sensor in each tub, but only need one temp/pH/EC sensor. Water level in each tub will tell me average level, whether there's a clog- and if all the levels are the same, that the pump quit.
SameSane
Member
Ah okay. So It's just to „reraise“ the levels of your nutrient solution. There are Arduino based Pumps on the market, which seem pretty neat. But I don't know if they really get the job done in your use case.
nevergoodenuf
Well-Known Member
I have been looking at these for use as a light controller. One sensor to the COB, one for the heat sink, and one for room temp. Maybe even a canopy IR temp sensor. When summer comes around and the heat sink can't keep up, it will dim until a certain Tc is reached. Or say your fans turn off. I wish I know how to set this up. Maybe down the road.
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
My plan is to leave the pump alone, running constantly. When the res needs dumped, the arduino triggers a flow switch to send water to dump. Once the system is empty, it switches back. Another switch would control flow from a nutrient supply and a third for fresh water.
PH up and down could also be arduino based, I'd do that with a doser in place.
Organic Miner
Well-Known Member
SameSane
Member
If you need help, just hit me up brohan.
I thought about a system for correcting pH before. But it seems quite hard, because every differen water around the globe seems to have a magical unique pH Buffer. But maybe I'm completely wrong. I just measure pH with fluid pH Test from GH because my bluelab needs so much maintenance which sucks.
So automating pH'ed and RO'ed Water would be as handy as fuck.
One possible and reliable approach to automate pH Control is utilizing Artificial Intelligence, which can learn to set the pH on a defined level. But I dont have experience in creating AIs.I'm also heavily interested in DIY LED with CXB3590s. And yeah the aim of such open source hardware project is to bring hardware buy lists and software compositions to people which are not that experienced.