computer control?

[scsinet]

You would think that conductivity can be used to measure salinity. That's what I thought until I started looking into it a few months ago. Apparently it can't.
I don't know why that is, but I discovered that conductivity and salinity are two different animals.
What I assume is that the variance in conductivity between 1.020 and 1.021, etc is very, very slight, and that water varies in it's own conductivity based on TDS, etc by at least enough to make salinity via conducitvity a very inaccurate measurement.
In reference to Hummel's last post, keep in mind, I am not saying it can't be done, I'm just saying that it's not as simple as plugging your probes into it, your lights into it, and being done. If you don't have the means to design and build ADC, DACs, and the associated software, you are going to have to outsource it and certainly won't save any money.

 

[moby]

Hey SCSInet
The Atom Pro looks just like a stamp. I haven't really read into them much. Maybe they offer more program space... THAT would be nice.
It is and it does! More space and MUCH faster!
The Gumstix are cool if you want to keep the system small, but I am thinking they are more geared towards packing PC power into a really small footprint for robotics
Exactly what it is for! Love this thing, just gotta get up to speed on the programming.
I don't know why that is, but I discovered that conductivity and salinity are two different animals.
This is true to a certain point, still looking into this.....
I'm just saying that it's not as simple as plugging your probes into it, your lights into it, and being done. If you don't have the means to design and build ADC, DACs, and the associated software, you are going to have to outsource it and certainly won't save any money.
Sad but true.

Moby

 

[hummel]

In reference to Hummel's last post, keep in mind, I am not saying it can't be done, I'm just saying that it's not as simple as plugging your probes into it, your lights into it, and being done. If you don't have the means to design and build ADC, DACs, and the associated software, you are going to have to outsource it and certainly won't save any money.
I know it can be done It's just the cost to outsource a program and such would be probably be more than a high quality controller. Although the possabilitys of the right computer program and modules could be endless.
Moby,
I understand fuel injection to a point I can diag. Like I said I know signal in and signal out. What goes on inside the computer is a little foggy to me. I know what the signal looks like on a occilliscope(sp) But other than that if there is a problem inside the ME it gets replaced.
both of you bring ip salinity and conductivity. If you would be checking salinity through electrial conductiviy how would you keep the stray voltage from entering the tank? If you wanted to check if conductiviy is diffrient at diffrient levels of salinity couldn't you just take rubber tubing and fill it with water and check your resistance of the water. Then fill the tube or tubes (have to be the same length) with diffrient salinity and see if your resistance changes. I dunno I'll have to think about this for a little. You'll have to excuse me I'm a little sleep deprived I'm trying to get my honey do list finished before she changes her mind about the tank room.
Mark

 

[wattsupdoc]

Guys, I understand the desire to have you're PC control you're DT but you're gonna loose the human interaction involved, and though yes, I believe in automation myself, and made my living from it for several years, we're talking aboput a closed system here, that can crash at any time if not properly maintained.And my opinion is, that the more we seperate ourselves from the daily routine of monitering this system, then the more control and experience we will lose. We get lazy, assume old Bill has it under control and it'll be allright, but Bill wants to crash sometimes and gets confused too. Doing topoffs, controlling lights, and monitering water chemistry would be a benefit, but we have systems that will do this for us allready, and they're really not that expensive. I dont have one myself and dont plan on it unless one day I go with alot of tanks and get really in over my head but I can see the purpose in it. So what would be the purpose of Bill getting into this,and where would be the market for such a system? I personally would not want old Bill dosing my setup at ALL!
Just my 2 cents worth. And It can be done!

 

[moby]

Whats up, Doc? He,he.... sorry couldn't resist.

but we have systems that will do this for us allready, and they're really not that expensive.
I would really love to see one, if you know of a site, please share!
I agree 100% about "ole Bill" running my tank. To me, and it would seem to some of us other techno-weenies, this would make a really interesting challenge.
I wouldn't let the system run my tank completely but imagine if you went on vacation and could leave knowing the system was at least monitored and you could check on the tank via the internet. Peace of mind worth having in my book.
Also you could build graphs, collect data and use this to create further awareness to the collective hobby community.
My other hobby, is building home robots. I am building a "humanoid" robot that walks on two legs and is semi-autonomous (sp?). What does it do? Nothing practical, but the challenge is in the doing. Same as this idea.
I understand fuel injection to a point I can diag. Like I said I know signal in and signal out. What goes on inside the computer is a little foggy to me.
Actually it is rather simple, at least the premise is, the programming is the challenging part.
For every parameter the sensor encounters the programming must accomodate with an appropiate action to the O2 mix or fuel etc..
A simple equation translated into language the computor understands. But really nothing more than, if X=Y then Z, if X does not = y than Q. And on and on and on. With every possible variable accounted for. This is the tough part. A set of parameters that must be met or ?
I'm up for the challenge and think I might play with this as time allows, just don't hold your breath!

Moby

 

[wattsupdoc]

*Link Removed*
*Plz do not post any links to any competitor sites, even if the product is not sold here. Thx*
Hope the dont delete this. They dont sell these on this site so maybe they'll allow it. Also I noticed a website that is an outfit installing pc based system out there. Not sure the site but they install and ethernet 'em for ya. I think these are capable of ethernet to pc.

 

[moby]

Thanks Doc!
Wow! They don't give those things away!

Very cool though.
Moby

 

[phixer]

Moby Im busier than a one legged man in a butt kickin contest right now but I think your on the right track. Have some ideas on how to make this work but no time to go into it. It's just a matter of writing a very basic algorithm that matches the reading to a table and converts it, similar to a multiplication chart. I wrote a very basic program years ago to compute oil consumption rates for our gas turbine engines, used Microsoft Excel believe it or not. The force is strong with you Moby, you can do it.

 

[moby]

Hey, Phixer.
When you get some time we could put our heads together and anyone else for that matter and come up with something that works. I need some time myself to get other things done but really would like to give this a shot.
Moby

 

[phixer]

Yeah me too, I love this kind of stuff. Unfortunately this week I'll be hanging from the rooftops trying to replace the soffits and gutters on this old house. Sounds good man.

 

[moby]

Moby