I would like to build a greenhouse terrarium project using an LCD , DHT11 for humidity , light sensor to measure sunlight as opposed to household light (if possible), temperature sensor for terrarium and one for soil, soil moisture sensor and build two sensors for two terrariums with either a switch to turn on each component sensor lead to each terrarium unless I can have the readings of each of them on one lcd all using one uno Arduino. Also a buzzer or LCD indicator for when the soil is too dry or soggy. I am uncertain as to which parts to get exactly. My choices are based on what I have seen online. I'd like to eventually set it up as a weather station at a later date. My arduino skill are very limited to what I learned in the Arduino Basics Kit. Any help would be appreciated with the build, coding, and suggested parts.
If you have concrete questions you are welcome to ask them.
You should learn to work with every sensor in a standalone sketch, and then merge them following the "blink without delay" principle to handle all task in one sketch.
Wasn't my question concrete enough? It was so straight forward that even a cave mane can understand it. I already mentioned my immediate goals with openness from those who have more experience for other fun things I can try with it. Allow me to give you an abridged version of what I want that may seem more CONCRETE: a soil sensor and humidity reader displayed on an LCD--I hope that was less verbose.
You are looking for green house / grow house automation. If you google "green house automation" you will get lots of examples. There is even an" Instructables" Arduino-base "indoor grow space" posting.
Rreyes3000:
Wasn't my question concrete enough? It was so straight forward that even a cave mane can understand it. I already mentioned my immediate goals with openness from those who have more experience for other fun things I can try with it. Allow me to give you an abridged version of what I want that may seem more CONCRETE: a soil sensor and humidity reader displayed on an LCD--I hope that was less verbose.
You are starting off on a shakey path by critizing senior forum members who are trying to be helpful. robtillaart's response is intended to get you to think; we are not the Instructabkes website here; rather we are here to help you get over a rough spot (specific) so you can continue on with your project.
What is being suggested is to find a project with proven code as in the GUI examples... so start with the LCD component. Add the DHT11 and experiment with formatting, etc. As you work through the evolving project, we will have your back for helping with specific roadblocks. Please read the forum stickies about what we expect from you when you post; for example complete code and specific question(s).
Welcome to the Arduino Forum. Everyone here wants you to be successful, but few (if any) will hand-hold you through the learning phase. I have been around long enough to see newbies like yourself grow to be very good programmers and voice the same attitude- there is just not enough time to help everyone in a 1::1 dialog.
Exactly! The results are overwhelming! That's why I decided to join this forum for a little guidance for a noob. Doing the project book was great but understanding the new concepts and terminology took me about an hour per project. So instead of spending weeks finding the right project for the Garduino, I was hoping to narrow down my goals with suggestions from the pros and perhaps someone's project that had similar goals.
Rreyes3000:
Exactly! The results are overwhelming! That's why I decided to join this forum for a little guidance for a noob. Doing the project book was great but understanding the new concepts and terminology took me about an hour per project. So instead of spending weeks finding the right project for the Garduino, I was hoping to narrow down my goals with suggestions from the pros and perhaps someone's project that had similar goals.
Fair enough. The forum has a rather primitive search feature that does work although it is not Google XD
MrsCrossRoads made a good suggestion... Thus is the first link:
If we start with the above project, is it anywhere close to your needs?
I love the way that is all laid out and In a very understandable format. But unfortunately I am a poor reader of electronic diagrams and those instructions seem more geared for somebody with more experience than I have. I heavily rely on the photo examples provided in the Arduino project book which made it much more easier for me to understand and assemble. Soldering is not an issue for me but I would rather just spend the money on the soil moisture reader plus A humidity Reader on Amazon. But I am still unclear as to how I will use the LCD or even program it for the humidity and temperature output. Also, I saw the light detector that he is using but is there one that can detect sunlight versus bulbs? I figure such a device will probably be a little bit more than I am willing to spend on. I was just wondering if there is something that detects different spectrums of light.
What is really neat about sourcing to Adafruit or Sparkfun is sample code to get you started!
Now, you can deviate due to price, due to functionality, or due to supply issues. But you start your project with a firm foundation. Example, maybe I want a less expensive moisture sensdor for the soil: http://www.botnroll.com/product.php?id_product=788&id_lang=7
Obviously, I need to come up with code, or be capable of writing my own.
Writing code is like assembling Lego thingies! Or, painting by numbers if you know what you are doing. One can get pretty good at this stuff, but it takes some time and study.... Practice.
Somes of my rainy day stuff: http://www.hackster.io/rayburne
But I am still unclear as to how I will use the LCD or even program it for the humidity and temperature output. Also, I saw the light detector that he is using but is there one that can detect sunlight versus bulbs? I figure such a device will probably be a little bit more than I am willing to spend on. I was just wondering if there is something that detects different spectrums of light.
Oh, my. Questions again without research.
All silicon light sensors have a spectral response. Just like NASA you need filters (or special sensors) for specific spectra.
Optical filters can be purchased from Edmund's and others. You will have to define your own testing and calibration procedures.
Thank you! I will absolutely do that. As a matter of fact I just walked out of a RadioShack to Check out what they had. Unfortunately not much. But they did have a cool touch screen for Arduino. I would love to be able to incorporate that somehow.
Allow me to give you a little background. In the beginning of the year I bought the Arduino starter kit for my son with the hopes to encourage them in the career in electronics. We spent over $150 extra parts with the kit and we only did about one project after that he showed complete this interest but I continue to do all the projects to the end of the book. Well, half a year later I ran into the Arduino crit and after spending so much money on it and it just collecting dust there I've decided to do something myself with it for my garden. This is why I have the sudden interest in doing something with it with what little time I have. I stayed up two nights now relatively late looking at different projects and I was completely overwhelmed and noticed that this is going to take a little more time than I had expected. But if you have any input as to how I can make this project more enjoyable without frustration please let me know. I am very excited to do something with the arduino instead of it just sitting around the garage and eventually in the trash
Rreyes3000:
Wasn't my question concrete enough? It was so straight forward that even a cave mane can understand it.
No, you defined what you wanted to accomplish (your requirements), but there was no concrete questions (problems) . For me a concrete question states a problem and end with a question mark. Something like "How can I read a DHT11 and display its value on an Serial LCD?". Or "Is it possible to read a Soil Sensor 4 times per second, and if so how?" So the best thing I could do is give a general advice to get to know the individual sensors first before combining them. That could give rise to more detailed questions.
cave man ignored.
I already mentioned my immediate goals with openness from those who have more experience for other fun things I can try with it.
Yes indeed you defined goals/requirements what you wanted to build.
Allow me to give you an abridged version of what I want that may seem more CONCRETE: a soil sensor and humidity reader displayed on an LCD--I hope that was less verbose.
For the DHT-11 there exists libraries like mine - Arduino Playground - HomePage - It has examples for Serial, but not for LCD. LCD comes in so many flavours, parallel, I2C, SPI, character oriented, graphic, different sizes (nr lines) so there you need to provide more detail what kind of LCD you have in mind.
For the soil sensor a quick google "Arduino soil sensor" gave this link on page 1 - http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php/topic,37975.0.html - which gives even information how to build one yourself.
Well, half a year later I ran into the Arduino crit and after spending so much money on it and it just collecting dust there I've decided to do something myself with it for my garden. This is why I have the sudden interest in doing something with it with what little time I have.
OK.
No wonder you are frustrated! You just got your beginners driving permit and you want to do formula 1 racing.
I would recommend you build an LCD clock; assuming that your kit had a DS1302 or DS1307. There are plenty of code examples. You need to really understand the LCD and formating. Then use the 10K thermistor to add temperature: rather straight forward and no conflicts. Then add in thee DHT11 code for humidity and (remote) temperature. Then add in the alarm! You have all the code for your garden now!