Automation remodel

[DonW]

I'm going to remodel my automation system. I'll post pics and info here as I move along explaining how to use the automaion ideas for NON plc controlled devices. Any part of my new design can be used without logic.
First step I've been working on is removing the miles of Cat5 cable that has been driving me nuts. I put this system together one piece at a time with no real thought as to how much wire would be running through my walls, ceiling and stand.
Alot of the people that have been around for awhile have seen some of this obsession but I'll post pics as I go along anyways. Feel free to add anything you may find useful.

The heart or I should say brains of the system is a Applied Digital Ocelot controller. This is a sort of hybrid PLC but much more versitile than standard process controllers. Its programming is designed for slow people like me.

Don

 

[Scooterman]

Compared to the little Siemens I have that looks cooler LOL!
gotta stick around because I was going to document the PLC I'm using on my system but unlike you I have an engineer friend that programmed it & will update it for me at the charge of one cold beer, whew these darn engineers want it all don't they, I almost had to pay for it

 

[DonW]

Compared to the little Siemens I have that looks cooler LOL!
gotta stick around because I was going to document the PLC I'm using on my system but unlike you I have an engineer friend that programmed it & will update it for me at the charge of one cold beer, whew these darn engineers want it all don't they, I almost had to pay for it

Thats the advantage of the Ocelot, no brain needed even a drunk engineer can program it. Also unlike PLC's you get analog, digital, contact closure and relays in a single box.

Don

 

[Scooterman]

Yea I only have 8 Discreet Ins & 8 relay outs but have the option to add three other cards, I would like to later upgrade to a larger PLC that has X10 built in, then I would invest in a good HMI but for now this little box will do being it is at my price (free)! Describe what the Ocelot is & the capabilities, also cost?

 

[DonW]

Here is the box that does all the labor. The SECU16 has 8 IO (digital, analog or contact closure) along with 8 low current .5a relays. Currently I have 11 of these running to get all the wild automation. I would like to keep the remodeled system down to 16IO's and 16 relays instead of the 88 I have now.

 

[Scooterman]

http://www.appdig.com/ocelot.html

Ahh I see that is the brain the Ocelot & the adicon is the I/O's right?

 

[Scooterman]

I think this is a PLC from what I just read on it but really the software is what makes it so nice. You buy the add on's for whatever you need, cool but I'd rather stick to one PLC & one HMI that I design directly for whatever I'd need, In the long run If you needed 11 of these the regular PLC would be cheaper.

http://www.hometoys.com/htinews/apr02/previews/ocelot/ocelot.htm

 

[DonW]

Yea I only have 8 Discreet Ins & 8 relay outs but have the option to add three other cards, I would like to later upgrade to a larger PLC that has X10 built in, then I would invest in a good HMI but for now this little box will do being it is at my price (free)! Describe what the Ocelot is & the capabilities, also cost?

Scooter,
I think the Ocelots are about $160 now days and the modules are around $90.
Along with x10 that I dont use for the tank, just the house I dont think there is anything that I cant integrate into the ocelot rs485 network. This single Ocelot also controls my entire haunted house.

Don

 

[Scooterman]

I see it is more home automation than anything, that is cool, I like the X10 because you can interface with Leviton or cameras & host a web site to monitor your home, that would be cool!

All you need is a few Analog inputs maybe one or two Analog outputs & a few probes & you can do what most Fish controllers do plus some at half the cost.

 

[dragoneggs]

Okay Don... I am following along. Being an engineer I can't resist. I am building a 250gal island set up that will be prominently displayed between my living room and kitchen. My biggest concern is concealing all of the system routing within the tank stand, canopy and crawl space (and I mean crawl) below.

Mark

 

[DonW]

Now just a step back, IO's

Input and Outputs are really simple. There is basic contact closure, like a two wire float switch. There is 0-5v, this is used variable sensors or senders. There is 4-20ma also used in variable sensors and senders.
Outputs are just that. They can be software control only. They can trigger a relay for physical operation of a device. A basic single float switch ATO system is an example of a single input and a single output.

Don

 

[DonW]

I see it is more home automation than anything, that is cool, I like the X10 because you can interface with Leviton or cameras & host a web site to monitor your home, that would be cool!

All you need is a few Analog inputs maybe one or two Analog outputs & a few probes & you can do what most Fish controllers do plus some at half the cost.

I'll try to focus just on the tank stuff unless someone wants information about the home, Infared and security integration.

Don

 

[Scooterman]

Now just a step back, IO's

Input and Outputs are really simple.
There is basic contact closure, like a two wire float switch.

Yes a discrete Input would be a dry contactas in a switch, contacts on a relay, level switches, pressure switches etc.

There is 0-5v, this is used variable sensors or senders.

A relay output could be an output to a coil on a solenoid, relay coil, light etc!

There is 4-20ma also used in variable sensors and senders.

these are analog outputs & analog inputs

Outputs are just that. They can be software control only. They can trigger a relay for physical operation of a device.

No you can get PLC cards that are relay outputs that are typically low current to trigger a high current relay but basically the same.

 

[DonW]

No you can get PLC cards that are relay outputs that are typically low current to trigger a high current relay but basically the same.

Actually you can get a 8 high current relay module for a ocelot network that will directly control 8 high current devices like halides and closed loop pumps all in one tiny box.

I run 5 of these right now. The remodeled system will use a device similar to that used on the high end aquarium contollers but at 1/3 or less the cost. I'll show that fairly soon.

Don

 

[Scooterman]

Don what are you going to use for probes, like PH, temp etc?

 

[shallowreef]

Don,

Your like the Inspector Gadget of reefing.

 

[Krish]

Good luck Don...I will tag along here.

 

[DonW]

Don what are you going to use for probes, like PH, temp etc?

I use all hanna panel mini mount controllers with a 4-20ma output. The beauty of them is the redundancy. With something like the commercial aquarium controlers, if the controller dies while your on vacation so does your tank.

Don

 

[Scooterman]

I like the fact that your going with redundancy like that, If you have failures your still going to be ok, that is the scary part with some of the other controllers out there. The level switch system I just purchased is built like this, It has built in level switches for overflow prevention & a level Low Low, where if your top-off for some reason doesn't work & your sump reached the second low level it shuts off the main pump, leaving water in the main display, also has a level high in the main display if for some reason water is about to spill over onto the floor. I want to include that into the rest of the design of my system as well, sorta have a fail safe set-up, watching you make yours will help in my design also, hope it saves me some headaches.

 

[DonW]

I like the fact that your going with redundancy like that, If you have failures your still going to be ok, that is the scary part with some of the other controllers out there. The level switch system I just purchased is built like this, It has built in level switches for overflow prevention & a level Low Low, where if your top-off for some reason doesn't work & your sump reached the second low level it shuts off the main pump, leaving water in the main display, also has a level high in the main display if for some reason water is about to spill over onto the floor. I want to include that into the rest of the design of my system as well, sorta have a fail safe set-up, watching you make yours will help in my design also, hope it saves me some headaches.

Have you tried that thing out. What I wonder with a non intelligent top off controller is the low level cycle. What I see happening is the top-off failing and tripping the low level float. That in turn shuts down the return pump. The tank drains back a few gallons resetting the float then the pump refills the display. This would go on and on. What damage would this do to the return pump. Thats just the begining, what about heating and cooling with no return pump. All of this sort of thing can be worked out with the PLC.
Make sense?

Don