Aquarium lighting controller

Projects General Guidance
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So, there are a few guides out there for this type of thing but most are old and bulky. I'm trying to find the correct hardware to accomplish the following.

Need a small form factor MCU to send a PWN signal, at designated times (RTC?) and at designated voltages(0-5v's). I need to be able to input the time and voltage variables through menus, viewable on a small OLED screen and adjustable with a small push/turn knob.

This will be used to dim high power LED light's that are run on LDD-1000L drivers that accept 0-5v PWM input.

I'm super new to any type of electronics and know nothing of programming. I wouldn't think it would be this hard to find something already made, to

2

So, what are they? What makes them bulky? Did you look for similar components to make them less bulky? Did you actually try any of those to see if they work for you? Most things can be made smaller but more expensive.

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Looking for beginner projects would be benefitial. There are basics kits with many examples giving experience,

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here is one example.
Overview | reef-pi Guide 5: Light Controller | Adafruit Learning System

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It's bulky alright, but can be shrunk using a PCB.

Aquariums are a aesthetic pleasing feature in a home, good luck with the project. And if you wanna do a PCB, I could give it a shot, doing the layout in cad.

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Just what I was going to write! Only bulky because the builder decided to make it that way. Doesn't seem to include the power supplies in that box, either.

Wonder what the OP plans for power supplies?

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That's the part i'm not too bad at, it's the hardware and software i'm having trouble with.

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I've done "some" research on MCU that can be fitted to a PCB (like making your own arduino board) but, if there is a small enough arduino board already made that can be added to my own PCB with the required modules or hardware, I'd go that way.

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Are you thinking of a "daughter" board attached to you circuit board?

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If I wanted to learn it all, I'd def go that direction. There is almost too much information out there on how to do small project's. I'm at a point where I'll pay someone to design and program for me.

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Right, I'm trying to figure out what modules I'd need in the smallest form factor that I can use to design my own PCB to accomplish the task.

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There are some Arduinos that can be soldered to a PCB - Nano, Micro I think. Otherwise it's not that hard to do your own solution around an ATmega or similar.

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That's the goal for this forum. Fixing toys for members is an annoying phenomenon. It mostly leads to plenty of posting and consumes plenty of forum volounteers free time. Helpers want to also have another life then being here......
Misuse of this forum...

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So after doing some searching, Would these two complete what I'm looking for as far as hardware goes?

Adafruit ESP32-S3 Reverse TFT Feather [4MB Flash, 2MB PSRAM, STEMMA QT] : ID 5691 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

DS3231 Precision RTC FeatherWing - RTC Add-on For Feather Boards : ID 3028 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

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The ESP32-S3 should work fine, albeit a lot of power more than you need. The other link is a backup clock, not sure if you need that.
Edit: You would of course need an RTC :upside_down_face:

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