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Need help to convert existing lights to wifi on/off light.
Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:01 pm
by SCORPIO
I want to convert all of my existing aquarium lights into wifi controlled on/off system. Need help and expert advice. I have basic knowledge of electronics.
Re: RE: Need help to convert existing lights to wifi on/off light.
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 9:28 pm
by sushant
SCORPIO wrote:I want to convert all of my existing aquarium lights into wifi controlled on/off system. Need help and expert advice. I have basic knowledge of electronics.
It doesn't make much of a sense converting lights to WI-Fi control just for the sake switching it on or off(IMO our timer perform better).
You can make a controller or buy it off the shelf to control almost all the funtions.
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Re: Need help to convert existing lights to wifi on/off light.
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 11:07 pm
by apuda2010
You need an Arduino, a Wifi shield,some relay boards ,programming skills, an Arduino app for your smartphone and a 5V charger.
Use the Frontier timers, they are easier to implement.
If you really want to go the microcontroller way, use it to control temperature, lights and CO2. Its a longer project but worth the effort.
Re: RE: Re: Need help to convert existing lights to wifi on/off light.
Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2017 10:44 am
by sushant
apuda2010 wrote:You need an Arduino, a Wifi shield,some relay boards ,programming skills, an Arduino app for your smartphone and a 5V charger.
Use the Frontier timers, they are easier to implement.
If you really want to go the microcontroller way, use it to control temperature, lights and CO2. Its a longer project but worth the effort.
this is why I said for on-off control timers are the best/easiest.
Secondly in case you go with DIY you might end up spending more on building a controller than what you spend on off the shelf solutions.
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Re: Need help to convert existing lights to wifi on/off light.
Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2017 2:10 pm
by SCORPIO
Everything is going over my head so timer is good option for me.
Re: Need help to convert existing lights to wifi on/off light.
Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2017 6:47 pm
by syed.ali
Timer is easiest option
Re: Need help to convert existing lights to wifi on/off light.
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 3:10 pm
by vikramdutta11
SCORPIO wrote: Everything is going over my head so timer is good option for me.
Very good decision
Re: Need help to convert existing lights to wifi on/off light.
Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 5:09 am
by anandjm
There are two options here depending on your budget.
Option 1: Costlier, maybe easier and more flexible in options,
Raspberry Pi3 +
Relay Board
Option 2: Cheaper, less easy and less flexible in options,
ESP8266 NodeMCU +
Relay Board
For both options you will also need a
RTC aka Real Time Clock. This ensures that the devices do not lose time when power goes off.
Timer is simple but less flexible. Say you want to switch on your CO2 few hours before lights are switched on, you will need a separate timer for CO2 solenoid.
I'm planning to build a Aquarium control system using Option 2. Already ordered the parts. For others who want to have a go at it, the following link will help you get started:
http://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp8266-controlled-with-android-app-mit-app-inventor/