Capabilities of myself and Arduino

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi all,

I was using these GSM controllers on the below project of which I got to work ok but was limited to 8 inputs and 8 outputs and the only way round it was to use another of the gsm controllers and have 2 sim cards

http://gsmalarmsystem.en.alibaba.com/product/319834396-210821650/GSM_telemetry_system_8_I_O_4AD_1_RS232_RTU5011.html

This is what I am looking to acheive

Arduino main board

GSM modem to communicate with the system send text message (acts on it) recieve text messages upon inputs being triggered etc

I would like to put these on the system

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/pH-CIRCUIT-DEVELOPMENT-KIT-ARDUINO-pH-PROBE-SOLUTIONS-pH-CIRCUIT-/190638365119?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c62ee99bf

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CONDUCTIVITY-KIT-E-C-2-SENSOR-ARDUINO-PROBE-SOLUTION-CIRCUIT-/190637943350?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c62e82a36

On the old system I was using a PH/CF transmitter of which had dual a 4-20mA outputs these transmitters are expensive and rather bulky so the Atlas probes would be a lot more what I am looking for

On the system I would need around 8 relay outputs

A 4-20mA input for a temperature and humidity unit

And around 8 inputs of which will basically be switches

I would need certain components to communicate with each other i.e when the PH raises above a certain level it will automatically close a relay for a specific amount of time (ph down dosing pump) check the PH value and if below a certain level stop...and if still above repeat the process. The same would apply for the CF probe. When the above is taking place it would inform me via text message etc

I would also like to be able to transpose commands so if I were to send the txt message "pump 1 40ml" it would know the dosing pump delivers 40ml per 60 seconds and run for exactly 60 seconds...if I were to send the text message "pump 1 20ml" it would know to run the pump for 30 seconds etc

I have no experience with coding but have an understanding of electronic components and I can solder

Please can someone point me in the right direction of where to start i.e which Arduino base board to buy so I can play around with some of its features etc. I figure if I get the feel of how the software works connected to a PC using windows via USB...play with inputs, LEDs etc then I can possibly move on to the GSM side of things then buy and work on the probes?

Thanks

2

These atlas sensors will NOT work directly with your GSM module. The GSM module seems to have A/D converters to sense and report values but the atlas sensors don't have analog output, only serial was documented on their diagram and data sheet was missing. On the other hand, you can try to use arduino to collect data from them but you have to use one serial port per atlas sensor so arduino mega will be able to handle at most 5 sensors, not what you wanted, which is more sensors. Plus, the GSM system has no spec online so whether they accept serial commands and how? You are better off with simpler sensors that just output voltages and then use an analog mux to hook up different sensors.

3

liudr:
These atlas sensors will NOT work directly with your GSM module. The GSM module seems to have A/D converters to sense and report values but the atlas sensors don't have analog output, only serial was documented on their diagram and data sheet was missing. On the other hand, you can try to use arduino to collect data from them but you have to use one serial port per atlas sensor so arduino mega will be able to handle at most 5 sensors, not what you wanted, which is more sensors. Plus, the GSM system has no spec online so whether they accept serial commands and how? You are better off with simpler sensors that just output voltages and then use an analog mux to hook up different sensors.

Thanks for the quick reply. I e-mailed Atlas the other day and they replied saying they work fine with Arduino and they have sample code on there website for Arduino

As for the GSM module I have seen gsm modules that can be used with Arduino i.e

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cellular-GSM-shield-use-Arduino-boards-/260970816083?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cc312a253

I am looking to run the PH and CF probe and a separate temperature and humidity unit on it

Am I off to a non starter based on the fact ive never coded anything?

4

I think you are better off with the arduino GSM shield. At least you are not limited to the standalone GSM transmitter's total I/O

Now about sensors, have you read their arduino code? It's simply dedicating one arduino to one sensor, not possible to expand the code to more than maybe 2 sensors. There are analog type sensors that are probably a bit cheaper and arduino can handle an infinite number of them with the help of a mux chip.

5

liudr:
I think you are better off with the arduino GSM shield. At least you are not limited to the standalone GSM transmitter's total I/O

Now about sensors, have you read their arduino code? It's simply dedicating one arduino to one sensor, not possible to expand the code to more than maybe 2 sensors. There are analog type sensors that are probably a bit cheaper and arduino can handle an infinite number of them with the help of a mux chip.

Can you point me in the right direction for PH and CF probes that can be used on the system?

6

What I am really looking for at this stage is if it is doable and if so how hard is it to do i.e a wizard can do it but I cant once ive established that then I would like to buy a board (not even sure which one) and try to get the feel of it

7

I see. yeah that concept is totally doable but to say if you can do it, I don't know your skill set. Some moderate programming (maybe up to 50 lines of code for a basic proof of concept) and some basic soldering is needed.

8

liudr:
I see. yeah that concept is totally doable but to say if you can do it, I don't know your skill set. Some moderate programming (maybe up to 50 lines of code for a basic proof of concept) and some basic soldering is needed.

ok good....where would I start i.e what board would I need to mess around with flashing leds etc...power supplies..leads etc?

Is it this one?

http://uk.farnell.com/arduino/a000046/board-arduino-uno/dp/1848687

or is there one with leds on it etc that comes as a package with all the leads, power supply etc?

9

I would start with that one and level up skills with sample codes and then master a few simple projects before getting to the real project. You don't see professors giving out final exams on the first day of class, do you? :wink:

Here is a list of minimal equipment for starters:

You don't have to buy from the link I posted (adafruit). If you find anything local, go for it.

10

liudr:
I would start with that one and level up skills with sample codes and then master a few simple projects before getting to the real project. You don't see professors giving out final exams on the first day of class, do you? :wink:

Here is a list of minimal equipment for starters:

Minimal equipment for Arduino newbies | LiuDr Electronic Solutions LLC Official Blog

You don't have to buy from the link I posted (adafruit). If you find anything local, go for it.

I am in the UK and have found the below "inventors kit" before I go spending my money on it I am hoping someone can confirm it is the latest up to date kit

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SparkFun-SparkFun-Inventors-Kit-Arduino-/140726174275?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20c3ef0243

I am concerned about this part...

Note: Because Atmel is moving more and more of their production capacity to surface mount ICs, the DIP packaged ATmega328 is becoming more and more difficult to get. To keep up with demand, we now offer the Arduino Uno with an SMD ATmega328. The board is identical to the PTH version of the Uno, but you won't be able to remove the ATmega328 without some hot-air. This change shouldn't affect most users. We have historically seen a very low number of Arduino boards fail, so this should not be an issue. You will get an SMD OR PTH Uno. You do not have a choice. We will use whichever we have on hand. As the supply issues go away, we will have more control over this.

especially where they say this...

You will get an SMD OR PTH Uno. You do not have a choice

I would like to know if I would be using the latest piece of kit

Thanks

11

Is this exactly the same kit?

If so its quite a bit cheaper :slight_smile:

12

Yes. It's the same thing.

13

dxw00d:
Yes. It's the same thing.

Thanks dxw00d

would you recomend it for a bacon? it says its for people aged 10 upwards and im in my late 30's ? :slight_smile:

14

liudr:
These atlas sensors will NOT work directly with your GSM module. The GSM module seems to have A/D converters to sense and report values but the atlas sensors don't have analog output, only serial was documented on their diagram and data sheet was missing. On the other hand, you can try to use arduino to collect data from them but you have to use one serial port per atlas sensor so arduino mega will be able to handle at most 5 sensors, not what you wanted, which is more sensors. Plus, the GSM system has no spec online so whether they accept serial commands and how? You are better off with simpler sensors that just output voltages and then use an analog mux to hook up different sensors.

I have just re-read this post....I dont wish to try and connect the probes to my old gsm controller and wish to connect them to a arduino system along with a compatible Arduino GSM module

15

Plenty of DIP ATMEGA328P:

and here:

Not many here:

The short of chips message might be old. I would not get an arduino with surface mount chip. Just told someone on forum he/she fried the chip and should replace it. How do you do that easily with surface mount?

The argument about atlas sensors still stands. You can't connect more than 2 of them to arduino.

16

liudr:
Plenty of DIP ATMEGA328P:

Electronic Components and Parts Search | DigiKey Electronics

and here:

http://ca.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Atmel/ATMEGA328P-PU/?qs=K8BHR703ZXguOQv3sKbWcg%3D%3D

Not many here:

http://uk.farnell.com/atmel/atmega328p-pu/mcu-8bit-avr-32k-flash-28pdip/dp/1715487?Ntt=atmega328p-pu

The short of chips message might be old. I would not get an arduino with surface mount chip. Just told someone on forum he/she fried the chip and should replace it. How do you do that easily with surface mount?

The argument about atlas sensors still stands. You can't connect more than 2 of them to arduino.

If I were to kill the chip then im assuming its question of another £20 for the complete board?...providing its not the older type?

Where you say you can put more than two atlas probes on I want to put two on...do you mean more than one?

17

You can connect 4 Atlas sensors to each RX/TX pin of an Arduino.
They have a multiplexer for that:
https://www.atlas-scientific.com/product_pages/embedded/rs-232.html

18

jmrks97:
You can connect 4 Atlas sensors to each RX/TX pin of an Arduino.
They have a multiplexer for that:
https://www.atlas-scientific.com/product_pages/embedded/rs-232.html

Good stuff :slight_smile:

Ok so thats the PH and CF probe sorted (well as far as capability anyway)

How hard is it for it to do as required regarding the GSM side of things?

19

Finally found the data sheet for one sensor and yes you can multiplex them with the said device up to 4 devices. There are other devices that are just constantly talks on the serial with their data so without the data sheet I had to say no more than 2.

If I were to find pH value, I would go with this simple one:

Output is just voltage, no need for mux. You hook up 6 such sensors on arduino analog pins and that's it.

20

liudr:
Finally found the data sheet for one sensor and yes you can multiplex them with the said device up to 4 devices. There are other devices that are just constantly talks on the serial with their data so without the data sheet I had to say no more than 2.

If I were to find pH value, I would go with this simple one:

http://www.vernier.com/products/sensors/ph-sensors/ph-bta/

Output is just voltage, no need for mux. You hook up 6 such sensors on arduino analog pins and that's it.

Thanks for that...

I am still not sure what the pros and cons would be for a direct probe and the atlas probes..I am assuming its just a $5 multiplexer and some code? The CF probe they sell has a low, mid and high switch box attached to the lead and is $122.00

I am still stuck on is there is a gsm module that is going to do the job...I cant seem to find much info on this?..I read on a post that a gsm module is being developed by Arduino?