So I would like to purchase an arduino and have it run some lights for a saltwater reef tank. I would like to run the whites, blues, red/green and 2nd blue channel seperately....
I would also like to try and make it wifi so I could possibly create an app for the phone. Is there anyone out there that would be able to help/advise me of the correct way?
Since i'm a programming idiot I would be glad to pay someone to help me.
Thanks!
Can get back to me on here or cjlazarko@gmail.com
Well, where are you located?
-jim lee
I'm in NJ Jim
Wrong coast.
How big is this tank you're working with?
-jim lee
jwleonhart:
Since i'm a programming idiot I would be glad to pay someone to help me.
You should come up with a DETAILED specification of what you want the app for "the phone" (Which? Android? iPhone? Windows Phone?) to do. Then post that on the "Gigs and Collaboration" board to see if anyone wants to do the programming and how much they charge.
An ESP8266 is an incredibly promising module for Wifi connectivity. I bought the Adafruit module I linked to because it was available at a nearby retail store, but there's tons of different breakout modules available for it with different features. I bought it to try and make an IR remote with a web based interface. I've had to do quite a lot of research though since my HTML programming isn't as up to snuff as I would like it to be.
The ESP modules are not official Arduino boards, but 3rd party cores have been made and it's easy to find instructions for how to download them into the IDE.
I would suggest (if you haven't done this already) getting silicone tubes with end caps for your LED lights. I used the waterproofed LEDs on an aquarium, but eventually they failed due to moisture. You can find the tubes and end caps on ebay....I'm still waiting for mine, but they look like a promising solution to LEDs in aquarium.
Hey guys... Ok so far I appreciate all the input. Forgive me for being new at this. Basically my main reef light is a 48" programmable wifi light made by a company called LedZeal and the model is the Malibu S...
What i'm trying to do is make a smaller light. Something that looks like an AI Prime for example (if you google you will see)
The chinese boxes use big bulky LED's whereas the prime uses these tiny diodes that make it super compact. I was hoping to get like a 15-20 LED design and controlling them from a controller.
Sorry if this all seems stupid. I'm good with hardware but software isn't my thing. I've been building computer for 20 years but this obviously is a whole new ball game all together.
Here is a picture of the module inside my Malibu S. Looks like the blue board is the wifi module. I'm also looking to do this as cheap as possible... I'd like to see if I can actually make something (with help of course) and make a small light that is cheaper than an AI Prime or something like that at $230. What do you guys think? (I know with programming it wouldn't be since i'd have to pay someone to do all that but minus that i'd like to see if I can get the hardware portion under $200)
Its just the lights above? Or are some underwater?
Is it 4 of the same pattern?
Do you need mounts as well?
-jim lee
"I would like to run the whites, blues, red/green and 2nd blue channel seperately...."
"I was hoping to get like a 15-20 LED design and controlling them from a controller. "
So let's start with the LEDs - are you talking "normal" 5mm LEDs that only draw 20ma? Or something larger that needs more than just a simple resistor for current limiting?
A normal LED, you could just wire up some TPIC6B595s to sink current thru them.
Larger LEDs, you need an LED driver chip for each one to provide current control and keep the LEDs from overheating and burning up, such as
And then any number of WiFi modules and MIT App Inventor to send it commands.
http://ai2.appinventor.mit.edu/
Or, I was thinking neopixels. 3 wires and a sprinkle of code.
-jim lee
Hey guys, thanks for the replies. So i'm sorry i'm being vague here.
The neopixel looks cool but it's made for those low draw 5050 leds like I use in my computer.
That won't cut it here. I need high power LEDs. If you look at something like this:
So as you can see this AI Prime is using 13 LEDs and consuming 55 watts meaning these LEDs are consuming 4.2V at full power each.
I'm not sure where I should start on figuring all this out..... I would love to be able to chat over email or something with one of you guys if you ever have the time.
I think I might be onto something here guys.. Check out this site.
They have 3W LED's in all the colors I need, they have drivers, heatsinks, etc... what you guys think?
So they run on AC? Or DC from a wall-wart? Should be pretty straight forward to control that power.
It's all on DC power. Looks like everyone uses MeanWell drivers.
