I have a project idea, it's an expansion on another project that is proven to work.
It used all 6 of the analog read pins on an Arduino Uno board to control 6 different outputs. I want to add more inputs/outputs to the project and it might require multiple boards. I just want to know, which board has the most analog read pins? would it be more cost efficient to buy different boards, or just use more Unos?
Thanks
A mega has 16 analogue pins and you can pick up a clone SainSmart Mega R3 for £11 (about $17)
Riva:
A mega has 16 analogue pins and you can pick up a clone SainSmart Mega R3 for £11 (about $17)
Wow, that's much cheaper than I though it would be. Seems perfect for the job too. Thanks for the help.
M-XXI:
Riva:
A mega has 16 analogue pins and you can pick up a clone SainSmart Mega R3 for £11 (about $17)Wow, that's much cheaper than I though it would be. Seems perfect for the job too. Thanks for the help.
The link I was referring to http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SainSmart-Mega2560-R3-ATmega2560-16AU-ATMEGA16U2-USB-Cabe-For-2013-Arduino-/300901581363?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item460f21c233
I have had one for several weeks now and it works without problems and I have just ordered another for a DMX tester project for work.
Hello there,
Just starting now to install Arduino..... for a project with Aquaponic.....
If I have to use 2 boards for the same project, is this possible?
do they have to be the same or can I use a Mega with a Uno together?
Any suggestion will be very appreciated before I spend money in the wrong direction......
I will need:
Analog Input: 22
Analog Output: 4
DI: 7
DO: 6
Thanks in any case
Andrea
andreaspi:
If I have to use 2 boards for the same project, is this possible?
It is possible to use more than one board though this may make the code more complex if the two boards need to talk to each other.
do they have to be the same or can I use a Mega with a Uno together?
They don't need to be the same board, though if your starting out in the world of arduino I would suggest at least getting same voltage boards (some are 3.3V and some 5.0V).
Any suggestion will be very appreciated before I spend money in the wrong direction......I will need:
Analog Input: 22
Analog Output: 4
DI: 7
DO: 6
You may be able to do this with just one board and a multiplexer chip/shield (A shield is a board that plugs into your arduino board to offer other features etc. Look at this and this for ideas.
Wow, thanks for the answer and the links, looks like what I was looking for.
One more question:
To visualize all those values coming from temp and PH sensors, which interphase do you suggest me to use?
I will need to store the data in a DB file and have them on a monitor for occasional consultation so I will have to create a simple layout that will rap present the aquaponics installation for a better understanding of what is going on with my system.
Thanks again for the help.
Regards
Andrea
To visualize all those values coming from temp and PH sensors, which interphase do you suggest me to use?
I think something has been lost in translation here as I cannot determine the interphase meaning in this context.
I don't know how you intend to connect this all up but it's probably going to need a PC if your storing and manipulating lots of data. One way to go is send all the sensor data from the arduino to the PC using Serial.prints and delimit the data values using commas so the PC can break the data down into fields for storing in a DB. Others with expertise in this will maybe suggest better methods.
I would think a more robust solution is to store the data locally on a SD card, and then you can transfer the data to the computer either via the USB serial connection or other methods (bluetooth, ethernet, wifi, etc.). This way, even if the computer is off, you are still logging data, and if it is inconvenient to run wires to the logging station, it still can work independently. This adafruit shield is one approach that combines a real time clock that has its own battery, and a SD card slot for storing the data: Adafruit Assembled Data Logging shield for Arduino : ID 1141 : $13.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits.
Riva:
To visualize all those values coming from temp and PH sensors, which interphase do you suggest me to use?
I think something has been lost in translation here as I cannot determine the interphase meaning in this context.
I don't know how you intend to connect this all up but it's probably going to need a PC if your storing and manipulating lots of data. One way to go is send all the sensor data from the arduino to the PC using Serial.prints and delimit the data values using commas so the PC can break the data down into fields for storing in a DB. Others with expertise in this will maybe suggest better methods.
Hi Riva,
Thanks for your answer.
I try to explain it in different words 
This aquaponics installation has an experimental part in it.
For this reason it is very important to keep an eye on what will happen at different temperatures and PH values. (and here I stop explaining because there is a lot of theory behind)
The setup is ready, tanks, grow beds, pumps and pipings, filters........
Now, in order to Underrstand the reaction of fish and veggies we have decided to try to install something that can give us a 24/7 scenario of what is going on in this installation.
At the beginning we were just thinking of sampling water every hour at different location and manually recorder in an excel file.
Now we have put together a small budget to install an electronic system to do all of this (and some thing more) for us.
Here what we have in mind:
Wow, do you think that arduino will be able to do all of this?
Or do you think I will have to go for a different technology?
In any case thanks for your time and effort in trying to understand my English....
Hope to have your opinion.
Best regards
Andrea
MichaelMeissner:
I would think a more robust solution is to store the data locally on a SD card, and then you can transfer the data to the computer either via the USB serial connection or other methods (bluetooth, ethernet, wifi, etc.). This way, even if the computer is off, you are still logging data, and if it is inconvenient to run wires to the logging station, it still can work independently. This adafruit shield is one approach that combines a real time clock that has its own battery, and a SD card slot for storing the data: Adafruit Assembled Data Logging shield for Arduino : ID 1141 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits.
Thanks Michael,
If possible I would like to keep a constant connection between Arduino and my PC to visualize all the temp,Ph,flow...... In an single screen and in the same time save (say every minute) all sensor readings in a file for consultation.
The SD card that you have suggested could be a back up system.
Do you think is it asking to much to the Arduino microprocessor?
Thanks and regards
Andrea
andreaspi:
Wow, do you think that arduino will be able to do all of this?
Or do you think I will have to go for a different technology?
In theory the arduino should have no problem as it's roll is just reading lots of sensors and sending the results over serial to your PC. I would think the more complex problem is how you read, visualize & store the results on the PC. Reading and storing should present little problem but visualizing the results may as it depends on what software is available to do this or your programming skills in writing you own interface. I think processing could do the job if you have no other programming languages to pick from but maybe other can give you better advice here.
andreaspi:
Thanks Michael,
If possible I would like to keep a constant connection between Arduino and my PC to visualize all the temp,Ph,flow...... In an single screen and in the same time save (say every minute) all sensor readings in a file for consultation.
The SD card that you have suggested could be a back up system.
Do you think is it asking to much to the Arduino microprocessor?
Thanks and regards
Andrea
I would imagine that you could do the 'simple' part of reading each of the sensors and relaying the information to the PC with most Arduinos. If the Arduino doesn't have enough analog input ports, you can use i2c/spi extenders to read the extra sensors. I don't think just reading the sensors and transmitting the results would stress the Arduinos, particularly since you likely want to get the readings once a minute or so, and not hundreds of times a second.
Trying to do the visualization part on the Arduino is likely to fail. There you need something with more memory, and more compute horsepower (i.e. a PC).
The big part is how you do your visualization on the PC, which is out of the scope of this forum. There, you probably need to go to forums where they deal with the higher level details for things like fish tanks.
Riva:
andreaspi:
Wow, do you think that arduino will be able to do all of this?
Or do you think I will have to go for a different technology?In theory the arduino should have no problem as it's roll is just reading lots of sensors and sending the results over serial to your PC. I would think the more complex problem is how you read, visualize & store the results on the PC. Reading and storing should present little problem but visualizing the results may as it depends on what software is available to do this or your programming skills in writing you own interface. I think processing could do the job if you have no other programming languages to pick from but maybe other can give you better advice here.
Thanks Riva, I found this product: arduino and labview
And had a look at LabView ( I did something with it in 1991.......)
Looks like this will help with my poor knowledge of C to have all the sensors readings on screen in a nice GUI.
I had a look at Processing, as you mentions, it will require a good knowledge of C......
Have you done something with it?
Regards and thanks
MichaelMeissner:
andreaspi:
Thanks Michael,
If possible I would like to keep a constant connection between Arduino and my PC to visualize all the temp,Ph,flow...... In an single screen and in the same time save (say every minute) all sensor readings in a file for consultation.
The SD card that you have suggested could be a back up system.
Do you think is it asking to much to the Arduino microprocessor?
Thanks and regards
AndreaI would imagine that you could do the 'simple' part of reading each of the sensors and relaying the information to the PC with most Arduinos. If the Arduino doesn't have enough analog input ports, you can use i2c/spi extenders to read the extra sensors. I don't think just reading the sensors and transmitting the results would stress the Arduinos, particularly since you likely want to get the readings once a minute or so, and not hundreds of times a second.
Trying to do the visualization part on the Arduino is likely to fail. There you need something with more memory, and more compute horsepower (i.e. a PC).
The big part is how you do your visualization on the PC, which is out of the scope of this forum. There, you probably need to go to forums where they deal with the higher level details for things like fish tanks.
Hi Michael, thanks for your answer.
Yes, I am understanding that now the obstacle will be the storing not the visualizing of the data.
I am thinking to go for LabView. There is a cheap package connect with Arduino hardware here: Arduino+LabVIEW Bundle - DEV-11225 - SparkFun Electronics
What is your opinion about it?
Thanks again.
Hope to be able to send soon some result of our installation.
andreaspi:
Hi Michael, thanks for your answer.
Yes, I am understanding that now the obstacle will be the storing not the visualizing of the data.
I am thinking to go for LabView. There is a cheap package connect with Arduino hardware here: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11225
What is your opinion about it?
Thanks again.
Hope to be able to send soon some result of our installation.
Looks like a reasonable product, assuming labview does what you need it to do. I've not used it nor labview, so I don't have an opinion on it.
andreaspi:
- All the sensor for temp. ,PH,DO, flow...... 16 in total will have to give me the reading on a display, preferably my PC.
I think you need to be clearer about what you want, particularly the number and type of sensors. A Mega should be capable of handling one hell of a greenhouse, without assistance from another board. It has the pins and it has the memory. All your temp sensors can be brought to one digital pin. You may find the only real limitation is in the number of external interrupts - six - likely to be used by flow sensors.
The use of on-board SD card is a sensible precaution for a backup.