Connector Box on agponic-MD February 2, 2014
Posted by rik94566 in 1-wire, agponic MD, agponicMD, agponics.com, aquaponic automation, aquaponics, aquaponics electronics, arduino, DIY aquaponics, DS18B20, Float Sensor, Float Switch, indoor aquaponics, Internet-of-Farming, IoT aquaponics, One-wire, Rj45 connector, Slide Switch, Stainless Steel Temp Probe, SUGRU.Tags: 1-wire, aquaponic automation, Controlled Environment Agriculture, DIY aquaponics, DS18B20, indoor aquaponics, rik kretzinger, Temp Probe, Temperature Probe
add a comment
A big part of the aquaponic simulator is the fact that it uses standard RJ-45 jacks to interface with Arduino’s or a Raspberry PI. Having this type setup helps keep all the wires and connectors that are required for the unit to operate in a consistent manor safe and out of possible interaction with water elements.
Here is what is needed to construct this sub-assembly:
When all the above parts come together the finished product looks like this:
SUGRU — makes a harness possible August 21, 2011
Posted by rik94566 in aquaponic automation, aquaponics, arduino, CAT 5 Cable, CEA, DIY aquaponics, DS18B20, Hacks, indoor aquaponics, indoor gardens, indoor growing, Rj45 connector, sensor, Sensor Hub, Stainless Steel Temp Probe, Standards, SUGRU, Temperature Probe.Tags: aquaponic automation, aquaponics, arduino, arduino sketch, automation, CAT 5 cable, CEA, Controlled Environment Agriculture, DIY aquaponics, DS18B20, electronics, hacks, indoor aquaponics, microcontroller, rik kretzinger, sensor, sugru, Temp Probe, Temperature Probe
add a comment
In order to connect up 5 DS18B20 temp probes and make sure all the wires and connectors work correctly took some effort. The fact that a pull-up resistor is required to take readings was an issue for me. I have been using 1/4 watt resistors and in tight spaces my resistor wires kept breaking off. So I needed a way to connect it all up and be protected. Sugru saved the day.
Sugru made a strong bond
I showed you the end product as that is what most people are interested in. But it is important to understand how the end product was created.
Here is the starting point:
pull-up resistor configuration
Spacing of the wires and resistor is a big issue here, as if the spacing is off the connectors will not fit into the holders correctly.
one connection made
Next trick was to get 5 connections completed.
5 connections made
bend it just right to get correct spacing
side view
Front view
end product
Now it is possible to continue testing my DS18B20 temp probes with more than 2 probes. This creation will allow me to build a temp probe hub using Cat 5 cable and RJ45 connectors. This harness will also make it possible to stay with my basic premise of being able to replace any component in my systems with in 5 minutes.
SUGRU – fills in the holes June 7, 2011
Posted by rik94566 in aquaponic automation, aquaponics, CAT 5 Cable, DIY aquaponics, DS18B20, Float Sensor, Float Switch, Hacks, Home Depot, indoor aquaponics, indoor gardens, indoor growing, Rj45 connector, sensor, Sensor Hub, Stainless Steel Temp Probe, Standards, SUGRU, Suppliers, Temperature Probe.Tags: aquaponic automation, aquaponics, arduino, automation, CAT 5 cable, DIY aquaponics, DS18B20, electronics, float sensor, float switch, hacks, indoor aquaponics, indoors aquaponics, microcontroller, rik kretzinger, sensor, Temp Probe, Temperature Probe
1 comment so far
Now that I have working Sensors on a standardized connection platform (CAT 5 & RJ45). I need to figure out how to use off the shelf housings that will be plug-n-play for my aquaponic units. The problem is that nothing is water resistant and they all have lots of openings. That is because most if not all are for indoor use. All the outdoor options are to large for my applications. So I went with a standard indoor 2-Port QuickPort I purchased at Home Depot.
Leviton 2-Port Surface Mount Housing
With a little help from SUGRU I was able to fill in the holes and can now mount the completed unit on my aquatubes. This will allow me to cover all my sensor connections and transition over to RJ45 connectors.
Here is what I started with:
Starting Housing
Here is what it looked like before assembly:
Openings filled before assembly - Inside look
Bottom View
Here is the completed assembly:
Back View of Completed Assembly
Front View of Completed Assembly
How the openings match-up:
Opening that match-up
Now I am ready to connect up the sensors and mount the completed assembly on the aquatubes hook-up my CAT 5 and I am ready to sense all inputs. O yes, I need some White SUGRU to make it look better. I am placing my order today!
SUGRU — safety first November 25, 2010
Posted by rik94566 in aquaponics, DIY aquaponics, Gravity feed valves, plumbing, SUGRU.Tags: aquaponics, automation, DIY aquaponics, gravity feed valves, hacks, rik kretzinger, sugru
1 comment so far
SAFETY IS A HIGH PRIORITY —
Water and 120 volt electricity do not mix….
Valve operates on 120 Volts
I have been searching for gravity feed valves for sometime now. I will be using them to control release of water from my tanks with the help of an Arduino. I picked the 120volt option on this valve so I would not to deal with 12 or 24 volt wall warts. Everything I am using right now is 120 volts.
So I wanted to keep my prototype setup very simple and straight forward. This does cause some safety issues, so being overly careful is always a good thing.
Aquaponic DIY Automation Blog 
