I finished my DIY controller!!!!!

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The controller is based on the one from ozreef.com (Richard)
Features of the controller:
21 to 33 ºC in 0.1 increments (accurate to 0.1ºC)
1 Channel (2 Power Points) for heating
2 Cooling Channels: For fans / chiller with programmable set points.
2 Lighting channels with timers. Light channel 1 will switch off if tank still gets to warm after both chilling channels does not cool tank enough.
2 Dosing/Lighting/Timer channels that can be used for dosing at intervals, water top up, water movement, auto feeders or lighting channels.
It also keeps the min/max for the last 14 days, how long the heaters and cooling was running etc.
An alarm/buzzer for over/under temp. (Can also be changed so that the alarm activates a power point where you can have any 220V alarm device of your choice plugged in)
Alarm inputs for water spillage sensor or whatever you want.
An alarm dialler that sends you sms messages can also be connected (I did not try this part)

And now for some pics:
CompleteEnclosure.jpg


LCDScreen.jpg


Inside.jpg


RelayPanel.jpg
 
I did not think that???? Lets see if I get a few requests.... I will then work out how much it will cost to build... I kept all the slips, just did not get time to add everything up.... If there are a few people wanting one I might make a batch, not worth the time and effort if I only make one or 2.
 
I had a look quickly, I will will not build it for under about R2400, the parts work out to +-R1600 (the expensive stuff is the 220V parts) and it took +-2 weeks to build it, should go bit faster 2nd time around though....
 
Awesome work Boomslang - well done.

Have you tested it yet ?
 
Nice, I will take one but only in a few months time, if you decide to make them.
 
Some else responded with some ideas to get better prices on some of the parts, I will go and research some more, maybe the price can come down a bit... (I want to build myself another one that I can use to do some of my own development on, so less money will be welcome!!!!!!.....) If anyone here knows of a place that sells cheap 220V parts (4x2" dubble plugs, 3 core 1.5mm cable, 4x4 blank plugs, 12V to 220V 10A relays and anything else you think that might be a bargainthat I need) please feel free to reply... I am sure if I search hard enough I could be able to source the parts for R800 and add about R500 to 600 for a weeks work....

Regards,
 
Go to an electrical wholesaler.

Ask about the crabtree cluster range. It is a longish housing similar to a multiplug. It accepts up to 9 units. You can use any combination of the following units. A 3 prong plug takes 2 units. A 2 prong plug takes 1 unit and a switch takes 1 unit. If you leave out all the switches and rely on the relays to do the switching you can fit 3 x 3 prong plugs in plus 1 2 prong plug unit. You then wire the internals as you see fit. In your case directly to the relays.
 
RS is normally way too expensive.
 
Agree with the RS parts.... Most of the parts I checked on RS is more than double what I pay at local electronics shop....
 
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