Project: Demand auto fish feeder with overfeeding limits

TCLynx

I'll have to come back to this thread later as things are crazy now but it is a handy place to have Aqua electrics ideas compiled.

SnowT

don't know the language but would not a "Pause 3600" equal some thing Like pause for 1 hour.. where each unit is a sec..

Juergen

BullwinkleII

SnowT wrote:

don't know the language but would not a "Pause 3600" equal some thing Like pause for 1 hour.. where each unit is a sec..

Juergen

yeah, pause 1000 is pause for a second , but the problem is, I have to keep ducking out of the loop to check for things like the lever presses, and reporting feeds so far etc. and some of those things are dynamic, so it would be difficult to track 24 hours for months on end without a gradual error.

But... I can easily reset it with light at dawn, and/or with a RTC real time chip.

I think I'll get the 14M2 chip (costs around 5$ ) as that has the extra pins, variables, etc, and can multitask, so I can do counting at the same time as other things... Come to think of it, I should get a real time clock chip instead. that has battery backup as well and will cost around 5$ I think.

Bob H

Hey Joel, thanks for resetting my password!

BW, if you want to count turns of your motor using shaft encoders these two links might help ;

http://www.geology.smu.edu/~dpa-www/rob ... oders.html

http://www.societyofrobots.com/sensors_encoder.shtml

BullwinkleII

Bob H wrote:

Hey Joel, thanks for resetting my password!

BW, if you want to count turns of your motor using shaft encoders these two links might help ;

http://www.geology.smu.edu/~dpa-www/rob ... oders.html

http://www.societyofrobots.com/sensors_encoder.shtml

Thanks Bob.

mattyry

BullwinkleII

it seems I don't know what I'm doing with regards word variables.

The word variables (made up of two byte variables) would be clashing with the byte variables next to them.

I'll fix it.

BullwinkleII

I bought a new 14M2 chip, (and a 20M2 and a realtime clock)

Steve S

Yes, did notice it Bw, and wondered how I could have earned that mention.

But seriously, seems to me that you are making life much too difficult for yourself.
To start with, try to make the project as simple as possible.
Only few really needed routines. You find practically everything on the Rev Ed forum
but you must know how they work so you can isolate them and adapt to your need.

The 14M is excellent for experimenting on the simulator or on the protoboards.
With inputs on one side and outputs on the other, it doesn’t come any easier.

RTC seems to me an overkill, adding to complexity and expense to this project.
LDR would be enough to detect daybreak and then on time periods between feeds
very easy to do with nested for / next.

Code:

b0=2 'hours

for b1=1 to b0     'hours
 for b2=1 to 60     'minutes
  for b3=1 to 60   'secons
    high 1       'LED flash seconds
    pause 500
    low 1
    pause 500
   next b3
  next b2
 next b1 

And you can fit a gosubs in it as well.
See if you can find them in this program.

Code:

;**********************************************************************
;Project by Steve S.
;Date: 30/06/'10
;Note: Check ComPort on T/Pad

;Date Last Modif:
;Ref:

;For PICAXE:28X1
;F/ware Version: A2
;Clock Frequency: 4MHz

;File Saved as: AP Pumps 28x1Time_Controller
;Versiom:v1 

;Bytes used: 252 bytes out of 4096

;**********************************************************************
;Program funtion:
;================
;Provides alternating time periods On and OFF for two pumps. 
;Time periods On and OFF are selectable by BCD switches, 
;with Timer status displayed on one 7segLED display 
;and Time to run displayed on two 7segLED displays.

;Timing signal is used by three 14M Picaxe uC, 
;one for each of three Fish Tanks, running in parallel. 
;Each provide signals for the pump relay drivers 
;and assume supervisory control for that Fish Tank. 
  
;Note: 
;AP Pumps Time Controller v2 program have TimeOff period automatically adjustable 
;by FT water temperature but its use wasn’t considered necessary.  

;======================================================================
;PIN assignement - INPUT: BCD1 Switch - PortC pin0
;                                       PortC pin1
;                                       PortC pin2
;                                       PortC pin3
;
;                         BCD2 Switch - PortC pin4
;                                       PortC pin5
;                                       PortC pin6
;                                       PortC pin7
;
;                   ADC temp. sensing - ADC0 (implemented in v2)
;                                       ADC1 (not used)
;                                       ADC2 (not used)
;                                       ADC3 (not used)
;
;                  ----------------------------------------------------
;                  OUTPUT: (PortB) Reset Display Time - pin0
;                                    Clk Display Time - pin1
;                                  Reset Display Line - pin2 (Status display)
;                                    Clk Display Line - pin3 (Status display)
;                                       Seconds Flash - pin4
;
;                                              PUMP_1 - pin6
;                                              PUMP_2 - pin5
;
;                                          (Reserved) - pin7 
;
;======================================================================
;Variables assignement: B0 - First counter
;                       B1 - Second counter
;                       B2 - BCD1 Switch value (Time ON)
;                       B3 - BCD2 Switch value (Time OFF)
;                       B4 - ADC Temperature (not used in v1)
;                       B5 - DisplayLine Pump1=1,Pump2=2,PumpsOff=8
;                       B6 - Calculated value counter
;                       B7 - Runtime counter
;                       B8 - Calculated temp value (not used in v1)

;======================================================================
;Symbol definition: not used

;======================================================================
;Init. routine: 
                let pins  = %00000000  'pins low
                let dirsc = %00000000  'portC inputs
                let pinsc = %00000000  'portC pins low
                
                for B1=1to 10
                 high 4    '7seg DP
                 pause 50
                 low 4
                 pause 200
                next B1
                
;----------------------------------------------------------------------
;Main program:
               
  SetTimers:   B0=0
               B1=0
               let B2=pins & %00001111 'mask BCD1 
               let B3=pins & %11110000 'mask BCD2

               B2=B2                    'BCD1 value
               B3=B3>>4    '(B3=B3/16)   BCD2 value
                           
  
  Runtimers: pause 100
  
      Pump1: B5=1             
             gosub Displayline      '#1 Pump 
                   
             B6 = B2*5
             gosub Displaytime      'Show Time left to run 
             Pause 300
                        
             
             high 6                 'Pump #1 On
             gosub Runtime          'go to "Pumps On" Timer
             low 6                  'Pump #1 Off
         
             gosub Offtime          'to "Pumps Off" Timer
             pause 100 
             
      
      Pump2: B5=2              
             gosub Displayline      '#2 Pump
                    
             B6=B2*5
             gosub Displaytime
             Pause 300
                     
             high 5
             gosub Runtime
             low 5
             
             gosub Offtime          'to "Pumps Off" Timer
             pause 100 
             
             goto SetTimers:
          
               
                
;Subrutines -----------------------------------------------------------

 
Displayline:                '(Status display) Display Function or Pump #
              
              pulsout 2,10          'Reset displayline 
 
              if B5=0 then Endclockline
              for B0=1 to B5
              pulsout 3,20          'Show displayline 
              next B0
              
Endclockline: return 



Displaytime:                        'Display Time to Run
              pulsout 0,10          'Reset Time to Run
            
              if B7=0 then Enddisplaytime
              for B0=1 to B7
              pulsout 1,10
              next B0
             
Enddisplaytime: return             
 
 

Runtime:                            'CountDown (Time Left to Run)
            for B7=B6 to 1 step -1
            gosub Displaytime                  
             for B1=1 to 60
              high 4             '7seg Decimal Point (1second flashing)
               pause 500
               low 4
               pause 500
              next B1
             next B7
            return 
            
                        
Offtime: 
            B5=8
            gosub Displayline
            pause 100
             
            B6 = B3*5
            gosub Displaytime
          
            gosub Runtimeoff
            pause 100
            return 
            
            
Runtimeoff:                       'CountDown (Time Left to Run Time Off)
            for B7=B6 to 1 step -1
            gosub Displaytime
             for B1=1 to 60
              high 4              '7seg Decimal Point (1second flashing)
                pause 200
                low 4
                pause 800
               next B1
             next B7
            return
            
;======================================================================

A “Picaxe programming “template, maybe similar to mine will make your work easier.

Code:

;**********************************************************************
;Project by Steve S.
;Date:
;Date Last Modif:
;Ref:

;For PICAXE:
;F/ware Version:
;Clock Frequency:

;File Saved as:
;Versiom:

;Bytes used:

;**********************************************************************
;Program funtion:
;Note:

;======================================================================
;PIN assignement:

;======================================================================
;Variables assignement:

;======================================================================
;Symbol definition:

;======================================================================
;Init. routine:

;----------------------------------------------------------------------
;Main program:

;Subrutines -----------------------------------------------------------

;======================================================================

The horizontal dividers are long just enough to show text within their length in a “doc” format without wraparound.

First get all the routines needed working individually on a “Testbed Picaxe”, chose a Picaxe one size higher that needed
to accommodate the extras later on, then sort out the program flow and reassign variables.
Also re symbols, temp is usually used for temperature, not temporary, counter is used for that purpose.

muffettsman

Steve S wrote:

Yes, did notice it Bw, and wondered how I could have earned that mention.

But seriously, seems to me that you are making life much too difficult for yourself.
To start with, try to make the project as simple as possible.

hehehe after 68 posts of theory craft aren't you calling the pot calling the kettle black? >.< It has been a motivating read however I'd still say a strong motor that can slowly spin a small drum full of pellets would be the way to go - with nothing but a temp monitor and a speed / set switch - you set the speed at the current temp as it gets colder simple math to get it to spin slower likewise faster when it's hotter until eventually within max ranges - after moving some of my tilapia indoors to save them from the winter I have been amazed how much they will eat if you constantly drop a pinch of pellets in every time you walk past the tank bs feeding twice a day... I haven't officially measured it but I'd def say it's at least twice the food if not three times the amount with none getting sucked into the filters - in contrast with two feedings they def seem more lax to let the rest of the pellets go

BullwinkleII

re "temp" point taken

re: your code I dont understand much of it

but its early days.

I dont think what I'm trying to do is too ambitious

in separate breadboard projects (I only have a small bread board) I've created and tested the circuits and code to power the 36 rpm (10kg+ torque) motor controlled by pwmout so I can do anything from 1/8th of a turn delivering between 2 and 6 X 2mm pellets, up to however big your hopper is.

I have the code and have made the circuit that tests for lever input, checks for feed restrictions and Lights a LED to simulate connection to the now dismantled circuit above.

I have a the LED report working and flashing a very short blip to indicate zero feeds, a long with a blip to indicate tens, and a short to indicate units.

I have identified each type of restriction to feeding but I'm currently learning timing to complete my knowledge on how to implement the restrictions.

I have the light sensor, and have played with getting input and changing variables to indicate day and night, but am yet to calibrate it. I suspect that might have to be done on site due to ambient light, streetlights etc depending on situation.

I have a temperature sensor and have also played with it and in fact made a wife proof switch as mrs bullwinkle's hands were too cold to activate it as I had it calibrated.

So other than my lacking education regards time and how to work with it (my new 14m2 chip seems to support some time functions that my 08m didn't, I think I'm up to speed on most of what I need to know.

These last couple of days have been spent working on the actual device, other than spending 8 hours troubleshooting my new chip's simple circuit only to discover (via someone named pete) at 5am that the catalogue was printed with an error, and the pins on my stereo plug were incorrectly numbered !

So once I have the device finished, I'll work out how much space I have for the board ( I might make it two story like a shield), work out what kind of power supply I'll be using, and then integrate all the various bits of code.

Then I figure I'll get a carton of beer, free up a day and make sure it works over a 24 hour period

And THEN I'll start work on seeing how far out of the water I can get them to jump to hit the lever, and make my own mini sea world dolphin show

But I'll need another week to put all that into play

oh and I'm yet to work out how I'll do a water flow test, but I suspect I should be able to drop two stainless pins into the water and work something out with conductivity, and make it so if the return water isnt wetting the pins, the feeding stops. I'm sure that should be easy enough to do, but I havnt given it any thought.

I might also free up a pin so I can cascade the "no water HSM" out to some future device or feed tallies to a data logger.

But as of today I could probably knock up a working version by the end of the day just on breadboards and held together with string. I wont, but I think that's about where I'm at.

I took your advice and broke it all into more manageable parts, which is why none of it's integrated.

I also have never put together a proper circuit using veriboard(sp?) or whatever, so no doubt I have a lot to learn there as well.

TCLynx

Wow you are learning fast. Fun stuff when you can figure it out and are not in a super rush with it.
The soldering may take some practice. Do you have any buddies or people you know who can help you get started on that? It is the kind of thing that watching a video and reading descriptions will only help so much and eventually you have to practice a bit to get the feel for it.

Good Luck.

BullwinkleII

TCLynx wrote:

Wow you are learning fast. Fun stuff when you can figure it out and are not in a super rush with it.
The soldering may take some practice. Do you have any buddies or people you know who can help you get started on that? It is the kind of thing that watching a video and reading descriptions will only help so much and eventually you have to practice a bit to get the feel for it.

Good Luck.

I bought a board and practised enough so that I feel confident. I just soldered resistors in place with long pins, cut them off, and soldered them again. Probably did about 60 to 80. So I wasted 20 resistors. I also practised some with removing them with a solder sucker. Not so good

I feel I'm doing ok, but its frustrating when something like the catalog being wrong with the pin numbers on my plug.

Anyone with a bit of experience would have thought "I know the circuit is correct so it must be a component" but I have just enough self doubt that I figured it was me

oh well. Now I'll probably, forever more, simply presume the errors in my work are somebody else fault

Oh well

BullwinkleII

here's a mockup of a PVC option for the actual feeder

I think it's what I'll be making to test the electronics.

Actually I guess it's kind of made.

It has no front bearing yet and it's not glued together, but I think it will work. It also gives me lots of (waterproof) room for the electronics, and an inspection plate (90mm PVC end cap) so I can keep switches away from accidental adjustments, and drill holes to poke lights (LED's) through to allow them to be seen from the outside.

BullwinkleII

TC I found this post on your data logger problem...

JORGY
Post subject: Re: Temperature RegulationPosted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 1:06 pm

Xtreme Contributor

Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2010 8:35 pm
Posts: 119
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Location: Queensland Mackay
UpNorth wrote:
Is there somewhere you can buy a temp gauge that will give you maximum and minimum water temp over a 12 or 24 hour period and what are the goods ones that anybody has had experience with?

Go to http://www.hlpcontrols.com.au They have one on special atm that has data log to sd card. I have the $60 [PTM50150] type

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