Experimental aquaponics with Arduino and multiple sensors

[hrh1818]

Hello Nathan,

Nice find > The Atlas Scientific Serial Port Connector.   I agree the PCi 8430/8 is not compatible with the Atlas Scientific sensors.  Reason being the Atlas Scientific sensors use a 0 to 5 volt signal for serial communication. Whereas the RS232 standard typically uses a plus and minus 13 volt signal for serial communication. 

Are you recommending modifying the LIFA code so it will work with the Atlas Scientific Serial Port Connectors?   My opinion is this task can be done a lot faster if Andrea doesn't use LIFA.

hrh1818

Message was edited by: hrh1818

[hrh1818]

Hello Andrea,

Latter this week I will try using Arduino to read multiple One Wire temperature sensors. However, I will not use LIFA. Instead I will use the book "Programming Arduino Next Steps" by Simon Monk  as a guide. 

If your schedule is tight you may want to use analog temperature sensors in place of One Wire temperature sensors. 

An excellent book for people just getting started with Arduino is "Exploring Arduino" by Jeremy Blum.

hrh1818

[Nathan_B.]

hrh1818 wrote:

Hello Nathan,

Are you recommending modifying the LIFA code so it will work with the Atlas Scientific Serial Port Connectors?   My opinion is this task can be done a lot faster if Andrea doesn't use LIFA.

I suggest it this way because that is what I'm familiar with and therefore is the easier way for me.

[andreaspi]

Wow hrh1818 and Nathan_B

you just same some bucks!

I was just few hours away from my order to NI for that PCIe board.........

THANKS!

I have written to them asking explenations about the mistake.......

and now I got the answer from them:

• <<

Thanks for your email, PCIe-8430 will work fine on your computer.

To convert the logic level from TTL to RS-232, you only need to purchase the logic level converter from any 3rd party manufacturer and connect them in between of the ph circuitry and PCIe-8430 connector.

For example, ETEE020 from below link.

http://www.thaieasyelec.com/Interface-Module/RS232-RS422-RS485/TTL-to-RS232-DB9.html

PS. You need 1 unit of the logic level converter for 1 unit of ph circuitry, so if the system consists of 7 sets, then you need 7 of the logic level converter too,

Hope this helps.

>>

Ok,thaks interesting......

So I went back on the Atlas Scientific web page and found that they have a new product! Immagine that! :

a Serail Port Connector that allow 4 probes to work on one Arduino!

https://www.atlas-scientific.com/product_pages/embedded/serial-port-connector.html

So, what do yo think it will be best:

Use all the NI harware and add the TTL converte

or

have 3 Arduino Mega (2 with the new product from Atlas Scientific) and une for the normal D I/O and Analog Input for PT100 themperature sensors?

I would like an answer without considering the costs involved but the goal to accieve...... So please take your time and read the following part of the message that I have written before I got the answer from NI:

Firstable I would like to thank you for all your time and effort, second I would like to center again the goal I would like to accieve with this experiment:

- Priority 1 is surely to display all the value PH,DO and Temp (also with very slow sampling rate, 1 every 15-20 sec is already fast for me)

- Enother very important aspect of it is the ability to store the values of the PH, DO and Temp. probes to monitor what actually happen in the acquaponic system. (if I have to many fish I get to much ammonia, if i find my fish dead in the morning I can see if the DissolvedOxygen during the night went very low for some reason......)

If all this 'control system' will be doing his job I will be able to calibrate the proper amount of fish, veggies, algae, fish food, shrimps........ and if it fails I will be able to know were I did something wrong.

For this I consider vital to have a Data Base.

For this reason I went to Lab View........

I wouldnt spend much time in one wire technologies, if I am readyng 25 degrees instead of 27 using a normal PT100 temp. sensor or symilar, this it will not affect me much.

Is PH that has to be the right one for the veggies;

is the DO that has to be the right one for the fish.

I'm really appreciate all your efforts but I want to be sure that once the probes are all talking properly with the Arduino board I am still able to handle the data.

Wow, thats a lot of writing.....

I am going back to the Arduino books.

All the best and hope to hear from you soon.

Andrea

[Nathan_B.]

With the serial port converter (multiplexer) from Atlas-Scientific you can communicate with all 7 pH sensors and the DO sensor with a single Arduino MEGA 2560.  I don't see any reason to use multiple Arduinos unless you have a reason other than the serial issue.

You can certainly do it with the PCIe 8430/8 but you will then still need a device for analog and digital I/O for your other inputs and outputs.

The data logging will be the same regardless.

It's hard not to consider costs without a deep wallet .

[andreaspi]

Hey Nathan_B this sounds very positive!

If I am going to order the 2 (I think 4+4 probes) multiplexer from Atlas Scientific, it would be the right time to order the Temp sensor too.

What do you think about this Analog solution:?

https://www.atlas-scientific.com/_files/code/ENV-TMP-Arduino-Sample-Code.pdf

https://www.atlas-scientific.com/_files/instructions/Wiringdiagram_ENV_TMP.pdf

with an Analog signal and a precision of 1'C is fine with me.

I tried to dont consider the cost of if because I went already far with this project (money wise) and now I can not stop and have a nice structure with tanks sitting there........ So if I have to go over another obstacle I will have to do it, to many friends are already thinking that I am done........

If you can confirm that the 2 Multiplex are what I need I will proceed with an online order.

Thanks Nathan, well done

Andrea

[Nathan_B.]

If I were using these sensors, I would use the Serial Port Connector.  That temperature sensor should work fine and it won't require any special modifications to use with LIFA (it can all be done in LabVIEW).

[andreaspi]

Magnificient!

I am trying in the next 2 days the D IO for solenoids and pumps.

If it's ok with you I will ask for some advice later on when all the parts will be on my table ready to be assembled.

Thanks for now, it was very useful to have your opinion and support.

All the best

Andrea

[hrh1818]

Hello Andrea,

To connect the sensors to an Arduino you will need the following components.

Seven Pre-assembled Female BNCs  See:

<https://www.atlas-scientific.com/product_pages/components/bnc.html>

The BNC end connects to a PH or DO sensors.  The other end will plug into a solderless breadboard.

Three solderless plug-in breadboards.   See:

<http://www.amazon.com/Solderless-Plug--BreadBoard-tie-points-power/dp/B005GYATUG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electr...>

Breadboard Jumper Wires.  See:

<http://www.amazon.com/Wosang-Solderless-Flexible-Breadboard-Jumper/dp/B005TZJ0AM/ref=sr_1_7?s=electr...

The PH Circuit board , DO Circuit board and Serial Port Connector plug into a Solderless breadboard.  The breadboard jumper wires are used to connect the signals  between a Pre-assembled female BNC, a Circuit Board, a Serial Port Connector and the Arduino Mega.

Ten Terminal blocks with screw terminals and with 2.54 mm pitch.  See

<https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10571>

For connecting the temperature sensors to a solderless breadboard.  You will need 3 for every 2 temperature sensors.

Optional but highly recommended.

For calibrating and testing the sensors without using an  Arduino Mega.

A Debugger.  See:

<https://www.atlas-scientific.com/product_pages/embedded/debugger.html>

Then free Atlas Desktop.

Optional, low priority.

The Arduino Rapid Development Shield.  See:

<https://www.atlas-scientific.com/product_pages/components/arduino-shield.html>

A second Arduino Mega.

Spare PH And DO Circuit boards.

The object here is to have some test hardware available that can be used independently of the main hardware used for running the experiment. 

Do you have an electronic technician available or have you done some soldering in the past? 

Both the Serial Board Connectors and the Arduino Raid Development shield require soldering headers to the boards.

hrh18918

[andreaspi]

Hi hrh1818

Thanks for your post, here some answer and more useful a Copy and Paste of one answer I got yesterday from Atlas Scientific:

<<Remember, the port connectors have an enable pin.

     Use it.

     Run the same TX and RX lines into both port connectors.

     Disable one port connector by the enable pin when you are not using it.

     This will make it very easy

     Respectfully,

     Jordan Press

     Principal Investigator

     Atlas-Scientific.com

>>

Exept for the serial connectors that I have just ordered today, all the remaining materials is on my desk.

hrh1818 wrote:

Hello Andrea,

To connect the sensors to an Arduino you will need the following components.

Seven Pre-assembled Female BNCs  See:

<https://www.atlas-scientific.com/product_pages/components/bnc.html>

The BNC end connects to a PH or DO sensors.  The other end will plug into a solderless breadboard.

OK, got them and did some test (no more than one at the time), I am ablr to read them on the Arduino Mega and with the Arduino Software....... still working on how to display the info on LabView.

Three solderless plug-in breadboards.   See:

<http://www.amazon.com/Solderless-Plug--BreadBoard-tie-points-power/dp/B005GYATUG /ref=sr_1_1?s=elect...>

I have a few smaler size but will order the one you have suggested

Breadboard Jumper Wires.  See:

<http://www.amazon.com/Wosang-Solderless-Flexible-Breadboard-Jumper/dp/B005TZJ0AM /ref=sr_1_7?s=elect...

Plenty of them

The PH Circuit board , DO Circuit board and Serial Port Connector plug into a Solderless breadboard.  The breadboard jumper wires are used to connect the signals  between a Pre-assembled female BNC, a Circuit Board, a Serial Port Connector and the Arduino Mega.

Ten Terminal blocks with screw terminals and with 2.54 mm pitch.  See

<https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10571>

For connecting the temperature sensors to a solderless breadboard.  You will need 3 for every 2 temperature sensors.

Got them

Optional but highly recommended.

For calibrating and testing the sensors without using an  Arduino Mega.

A Debugger.  See:

<https://www.atlas-scientific.com/product_pages/embedded/debugger.html>

Then free Atlas Desktop.

Got it with my last order

Optional, low priority.

The Arduino Rapid Development Shield.  See:

<https://www.atlas-scientific.com/product_pages/components/arduino-shield.html>

I will add it immidiately to the order.

A second Arduino Mega.

I got 2 Mega, une Uno and a Sparkfun Red Board that exept for the color is very much the same with the Arduino Uno.............

Spare PH And DO Circuit boards.

The object here is to have some test hardware available that can be used independently of the main hardware used for running the experiment. 

Do you have an electronic technician available or have you done some soldering in the past? 

   I have some basic soldering skills

Both the Serial Board Connectors and the Arduino Raid Development shield require soldering headers to the boards.

hrh18918

Thanks hrh1818,

Hope to be ready soon with some testing.

Will be back on line as soon all the itema are here.

I am starting to run cables for the Digital I/O.

I have a simple sketch in Lab View to manuver the basic system. will add oall the water quality controls later on.

Greate to have your and Nathan_B support.

All the best

Andrea