Anyone use an industrial PLC as an aquarium controller?

~northwind~ · 03/29/2007, 02:19 PM

Hi,

I am upgrading tanks and was looking at all the options for controlling the tank.

Some of the purpose built controllers look great, but the human interface doesn't impress.

I got to thinking that I might go with a industrial programmable logic controller (PLC) Maybe this one....

http://web1.automationdirect.com/adc...nits/D0-06DR-D

with a touch screen interface like this...

http://web1.automationdirect.com/adc...anels/EA1-S3ML

This unit has 20 onboard contact closure type inputs and 16 relay outputs onboard (expandable).

The output relays are only 2A @ 120v so an external relay would have to be added for larger loads.

Using option cards one could input analog values from PH, temp, ORP, etc.

The operating program would have to be created from scratch, I have experience with this controller and its programming so not a problem, unfortunately this might make this a non-option for most people. The up side is 100% flexibility to do anything I coud think of in terms of cause and effect, touch screen buttons for every device in the system, etc...

I can't make the argument that this would be more cost effective than a purpose built controller, but in the end, I think the unit would be more capable. BTW, I have a couple parts laying around which helps to level the cost-benefit analisys. Oh yeah, and I hate X-10.

So the question (finally) is; has anyone been down this road yet?

~northwind~ · 03/30/2007, 05:40 AM

Anyone?

capted · 03/30/2007, 11:13 AM

I was thinking about the same project. I use x-10 and hate it. No way near accurate enough for tank stuff. Although it seems to have been reliable for most of my automation stuff. I use a pc based touch screen system for my home and would like to use it for my tanks as well. I want to also view temps,ph,salinity,ect. on the touchscreens also. Seems to be a project worth playing with!! Any ideas???

~northwind~ · 03/30/2007, 12:27 PM

All the on / off timer stuff is a piece of cake. I'ts the analog inputs which are the problem. The problem being price. A four channel thermocouple or RTD card (for up to 4 temperature probes) is $199.

The best way I have come up with to read PH, ORP, etc. is with the 4-20ma current input card, which is $79. 4-20ma is the standard for industrial measurements in process control. They make adapters to convert most any measureable value to a 4-20ma signal, such as this one ==> http://www.newportus.com/Products/Envnmntl/PHTM_014.htm
for PH. Once again, this is another $189, before you buy a probe.

I let a couple similar transmitters go by on E-bay for $30-$80.

I am still trying to find cheaper interfaces.

I figure the better part of a thousand bucks by the time you are done. This is on par with some of the more advanced controlers out there, more money than the less expensive ones.

Where this would shine is if you wanted to do more than one tank. you could run at least two tanks with this setup. Economy of scale.

As far as the software, the sky's the limit. PLCs are used to control most sophisticated industrial processes, a reef tank would be easy.

If you wanted to get silly you could go for a full color touchscreen display like this ==>

http://web1.automationdirect.com/sta...cmore6inch.pdf

We use these for products at work and they look great. Some of the models offer webservers, data logging, e-mail and FTP transfer.

The screen is "built" with the programming software. There is a library of icons for buttons, numerical readouts, guages, etc. You drag and drop them to the different screens you create. Once "dropped" you link them to controlled points in the PLC.

In the PLC you build the logic such as "if input two goes on (low sump float for example) then turn on output four (RODI fill solinoid)"

I'm up to my ears right now finishing the family room where the new tank is going, but I will be building one of these when I get some time in a few weeks.

capted · 03/30/2007, 01:08 PM

Keep me updated. I own an adi ocelot for i.r. and x-10 which uses the same logic for programming. I have my lawn sprinklers and motion sensors work off that programming. I agree the sky is the limit as far as logic!!! I use pc based server software with touchscreens only so I can view and change settings from the web anywhere I am. Adi makes some input and output modules also but not many choices. I have built many circuit boards from scratch and I would love to get my hands on some schematics for these plc and relay boards so I could try to build them cheaper..I have some big projects I am finishing up myself but I will look into this further..

capted · 03/30/2007, 01:14 PM

Also, do you know of any software that will display these values on a pc based system (not just a stand-alone touchsreen)?? Like a temp reading on-screen???

~northwind~ · 04/01/2007, 07:07 PM

Afraid not.

03/29/2007, 02:19 PM	#1
~northwind~ Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 12	Anyone use an industrial PLC as an aquarium controller? Hi, I am upgrading tanks and was looking at all the options for controlling the tank. Some of the purpose built controllers look great, but the human interface doesn't impress. I got to thinking that I might go with a industrial programmable logic controller (PLC) Maybe this one.... http://web1.automationdirect.com/adc...nits/D0-06DR-D with a touch screen interface like this... http://web1.automationdirect.com/adc...anels/EA1-S3ML This unit has 20 onboard contact closure type inputs and 16 relay outputs onboard (expandable). The output relays are only 2A @ 120v so an external relay would have to be added for larger loads. Using option cards one could input analog values from PH, temp, ORP, etc. The operating program would have to be created from scratch, I have experience with this controller and its programming so not a problem, unfortunately this might make this a non-option for most people. The up side is 100% flexibility to do anything I coud think of in terms of cause and effect, touch screen buttons for every device in the system, etc... I can't make the argument that this would be more cost effective than a purpose built controller, but in the end, I think the unit would be more capable. BTW, I have a couple parts laying around which helps to level the cost-benefit analisys. Oh yeah, and I hate X-10. So the question (finally) is; has anyone been down this road yet?

03/30/2007, 05:40 AM	#2
~northwind~ Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 12	Anyone?

03/30/2007, 11:13 AM	#3
capted Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Long Island Posts: 7	I was thinking about the same project. I use x-10 and hate it. No way near accurate enough for tank stuff. Although it seems to have been reliable for most of my automation stuff. I use a pc based touch screen system for my home and would like to use it for my tanks as well. I want to also view temps,ph,salinity,ect. on the touchscreens also. Seems to be a project worth playing with!! Any ideas???

03/30/2007, 12:27 PM	#4
~northwind~ Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 12	All the on / off timer stuff is a piece of cake. I'ts the analog inputs which are the problem. The problem being price. A four channel thermocouple or RTD card (for up to 4 temperature probes) is $199. The best way I have come up with to read PH, ORP, etc. is with the 4-20ma current input card, which is $79. 4-20ma is the standard for industrial measurements in process control. They make adapters to convert most any measureable value to a 4-20ma signal, such as this one ==> http://www.newportus.com/Products/Envnmntl/PHTM_014.htm for PH. Once again, this is another $189, before you buy a probe. I let a couple similar transmitters go by on E-bay for $30-$80. I am still trying to find cheaper interfaces. I figure the better part of a thousand bucks by the time you are done. This is on par with some of the more advanced controlers out there, more money than the less expensive ones. Where this would shine is if you wanted to do more than one tank. you could run at least two tanks with this setup. Economy of scale. As far as the software, the sky's the limit. PLCs are used to control most sophisticated industrial processes, a reef tank would be easy. If you wanted to get silly you could go for a full color touchscreen display like this ==> http://web1.automationdirect.com/sta...cmore6inch.pdf We use these for products at work and they look great. Some of the models offer webservers, data logging, e-mail and FTP transfer. The screen is "built" with the programming software. There is a library of icons for buttons, numerical readouts, guages, etc. You drag and drop them to the different screens you create. Once "dropped" you link them to controlled points in the PLC. In the PLC you build the logic such as "if input two goes on (low sump float for example) then turn on output four (RODI fill solinoid)" I'm up to my ears right now finishing the family room where the new tank is going, but I will be building one of these when I get some time in a few weeks.

03/30/2007, 01:08 PM	#5
capted Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Long Island Posts: 7	Keep me updated. I own an adi ocelot for i.r. and x-10 which uses the same logic for programming. I have my lawn sprinklers and motion sensors work off that programming. I agree the sky is the limit as far as logic!!! I use pc based server software with touchscreens only so I can view and change settings from the web anywhere I am. Adi makes some input and output modules also but not many choices. I have built many circuit boards from scratch and I would love to get my hands on some schematics for these plc and relay boards so I could try to build them cheaper..I have some big projects I am finishing up myself but I will look into this further..

03/30/2007, 01:14 PM	#6
capted Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Long Island Posts: 7	Also, do you know of any software that will display these values on a pc based system (not just a stand-alone touchsreen)?? Like a temp reading on-screen???

04/01/2007, 07:07 PM	#7
~northwind~ Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 12	Afraid not.