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Use Nixie for chemical controller and whatever else I can #274
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What do you want to measure and what equipment do/will you have to accomplish that? The two most common are pH and ORP and Nixie + REM can also help you monitor pretty much all Atlas Scientific probes plus a few different temp sensors. |
I have atlas PH and ORP embedded chips (cheap probes) temps are dallas dsb1820 but for the nixie I wanted to control my valves, (relays) pool fill, Heater, Aux pumps (spa pump, spa jets) I'm running two bodies of water that are separated (2 filters) but can be one (spa spillway). So I filter and run spillway but there is a set of valves that run the heater for pool only or spa only the purpose is so when we have parties the spa is heated and filtered independently and the pool is filtered and circulated independently. If I can just pass all the values from PH, ORP, Temps, Valve control from MQTT that will work because I have all this working with Esphome, Node Red, and Home Assistant but wanted a "Real" controller and my PH ORP needs better logic. And I forgot Microbrite Color I currentlly use 5 of microbrites 3 pool, 1 waterfall, 1 spa. These are controlled by esphome with a relay board also have yard lights connected it. I did have a chlorine pump |
So your setup allows you to basically switch between a dual body system and a shared system? How many pumps do you have; assuming 2? What reads directly from your Atlas probes now? Is it Atlas -> EspHome -> Node Red -> REM/njsPC? Do you have your valves controlled by relays? |
yes dual body and shared correct 3
esphome
yes esphome for now |
I did order a tentacle but the reason I went with esphome was that my pi would overheat in the summer in a sealed box. but the microcontroller works fine at the extreme temperatures. also above I forgot.... I also read pressure with a transducer to the esphome. So if I could just send raw data into something that works also. Thanks I got the temps updating in njspc now. |
Ultimately, you'll want to control everything through REM/Nixie. MQTT just isn't reliable enough for communications to control the pool equipment and monitor the sensors. @rstrouse is driving some big changes to allow controlling the relay and also how we are configuring equipment. In the meantime, I'd suggest firing up REM and trying to connect your existing sensors to it so we can understand what gaps are there. (dsb1820 needs to be added.) You may also want to get an actively vented nema enclosure. I'm not sure if we'll be supporting esp8266 as a base system. Currently we support Pi, Beaglebone Black, and Orange Pi. |
Yes I understand the use of REM but need to understand how to use Nixie I guess. Can lightshows be controlled here also, I have the MicroBrites, and various yard lights LED on transformer currently using esphome for lighting. Need to connect the temperature sensors dallas (spa_temp, air_temp, solar_temp, pool _temp) The pressure transducer I think I see how via ADS1115 i2c? I see how the EZO sensors (ORP, PH) connect to REM but not where I do the connection to njspc for setting the pump (acid on and off) and tank levels and such. Now to tie it all together is where I'm lost. I use Home Assistant as the brains I guess, It decides what gets turned on based on temps, days, and physical actions. It also uses Node Red and Esphome for collection and distribution of it's logic. |
But how to add to the virtual controller they are just relays in REM Cool didn't even notice the REM Chem! 😁 Thanks Really don't understand how to use/install Nixie |
The code today allows you to control pumps, circuits (pump speeds), and Intellichlor in a standalone manner. Rem and Nixie act as a replacement for Intellichem or a home grown chemical controller. We are working on allowing Nixie to be a full virtual controller that can replace IntelliTouch/EasyTouch/IntelliCenter but it isn't quite there yet. You'll need to be a little patient for that part. |
I get it now, Nixie is already doing its thing for now! 😀 Any reason you know why I keep killing RS485 dongles |
My best guess is either surges on the data line or incorrectly (or not) terminated lines. Could also happen if the host system has a power failure. It happens to me, too, and I haven't pinpointed why, either. |
Trying to use REM Chemical controller with Intellichlor IC60 checked the box to use IC60 for ORP but not sure what and how to setup properly for the IC60 to turn on off automatically (IC60 100%?), Acid pump is working nicely 😀 |
I don't think this has been coded yet. |
Ok I think this is a Nixie thing. I can't get my pump to operate with Nixie Dual Body here is the replay. No errors for pump but not turning on? Something funky with the heaters also I think it's the Bodies distinction or better yet the Circuits if I set Body1 as Pool or Spa and Body2 as Pool or Spa I end up with both Bodies as Pool in circuits setup under the type. So the second circuit is always set type as Pool (hardcoded?). |
Now I assume the watersensor1 is for body1 and watersensor2 is for body2 |
If you are configured as a dual body then this is definitely true. Watersensor1 will map to the first body and watersensor2 will map to body 2. Are you sure you are a dual body system or do they share a filter? You can have multiple pumps and a spillway where the intake and return valves will automatically rotate. |
I built it with dual body but I can share a heater and spillway Two filters for parties! |
Lots of valves (4) that lay dormant unless I want to use Gas Heater to heat pool Does it mater which one is body1? Pool or Spa? |
No you can assign it either way. However based on what you have described you have a shared system. I have valves that isolate the spa and water control is on a separate pump. There are two filters but a single chemistry system. I can set the valves in such a way to run the spillway or isolate the bodies. In the end the water is connected between them. |
Ok yes but the valves are set to stay in an isolated state. So I will re-setup as a shared body because you are correct sanitation is shared that is why I set a spillover event unless a party then the chlorinator is used to feed constantly to the spa but under daily it's shared body with SWG. But my heater, and main pump wasn't working in the Dual body so I will try again in shared body |
Yeah I’ll replicate that setup. For sure it should work with the pumps and heaters. Look at your plumbing because the Intake and Return valves are the key. These dictate where the water is drawn from and where it goes. |
Yes I get it Thanks |
Please make sure you have the latest from njsPC, dashPanel, and REM. There was an issue a couple of pushes ago where the heaters were being misreported. |
Hmmm. Write the log to a file then post the console. Not sure how there is a comms error with setting a feature. |
With capture my config was changed to Single body and lost setup?? |
added Zip |
The challenge here is that @DrJeff's pool is neither a shared body nor a dual body. A shared body can have intake/return valves and be in pool, spa or spillway mode. The dual body systems can operate two distinct sets of equipment. The setup here can be either a shared body or a dual body (and maybe it's also a Transformer and can turn into Optimus Prime?). DrJeff has pair of intake/returns in that it keeps the body separate or creates a spillway. Also, it sounds like one filter can be included/excluded on/off depending on bather load? DrJeff - can you share a schematic/drawing of your pool bodies, valves, filters, etc? I think that would help. |
Oops! lost pump again stopped njspc, did a |
Alright so I looked at the light relay. You have an MCP23017 base relay correct? I checked out the mockup and I got the correct number of flashes for it. It should only send this when you change the theme by clicking on the palette icon and choosing a theme. Is that what you are doing? Also is you uncheck show as feature then it will put those into the lights section. |
Yes
Yes, but doesn't change relays this is mocked up until functional
The Checkbox can be unchecked but when saved just rechecks |
Can you take another look at the message manager for me related to the pumps? All indications are that this should be doing its thing. As for the relay. I think it may just be too fast through the cycle for it. I'll add some delays for that relay type. |
Wow that is really slow. To set white that would mean 14 pairs + an on at the beginning and end so you would be looking at 30 seconds to change the theme. Holy yikes I thought 100ms on my setup was slow but it works. |
Yup I took it down to 250ms but had issues upped it to 750ms mostly stable but absolutely solid at 1000ms, the delay was ok because I don't do much change. let's do 500ms and try? |
I'll add some code to allow you to do a cycle delay. That is horrible. My relay transitions are capable of around 500/sec but the lights themselves or the transformer isn't that quick. Still, can't seem to replicate the pump refusal. In fact the message are indicating that it is attempting to make a run at the pump. Can you stop njspc and copy the poolState.json that I included here over your poolState.json. |
You da Man! That worked |
I removed an artifact for the pump state that was created by the reload. Near as I can figure it seems that it didn't like an inactive pump state hanging out in there. I am hardening the code right now to make sure it cleans those up on failure. |
Ok in your ways to fixing the pump is the chlorinator having the same id problem? |
Maybe. Shoot me a screenshot of the chlorinator messages. |
Thats the problem there is none I need to swap the poolState.json each restart? |
If it is stuck on initializing there has to be an error on the console. Can you try it and tell me what it is. I am working through the chlorinators to see what could be holding them up. |
Pulled the new njspc and the chlorinator is functioning now, Nice! I still have to stop njspc and unzip the poolState you sent for the pump to work each time. Attached is the replay of it not working. |
The LEDs are still stumping me I just have REMs LED board connected on the bench for LEDs and I'm not getting the on/off action on changes of color or mode. For just manual ON or OFF once that works fine. If I create a group then I get the three buttons on the bottom of the color palette but if I choose those or any color njspc will crash and require a manual resurrection.
For a color change I see this but not actions happen
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@rstrouse
compared to
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Yes thats what I have been trying to do, exactly like you posted my palette is black not white I don't know if thats a problem. I did delete the groups and still no joy on the single lights. |
Ok made sure I was up to date on all three projects, and restarted all three still don't get what you showed above. This is low priority I have the lights working via Home Assistant and Node Red. Even synced lights. I'm not sure how to translate the starting and stoping of the transformer here anyways. I have it so when any of the lights call for power the transformer is turned on and stays on with a cool down period before it shuts off. So that if you turn on spa lights then maybe turn off then within a few minutes turn on another light the transformer is ready then after the cool down period expires it would shutdown the transformer also necessary so that color changes/modes doesn't kill the power. |
What transformers are you using and how many lights are attached to each? I run a pretty extensive DMX light show in the backyard. Unfortunately, the pool lights are IntelliBrite so they aren't responsive like all the other fixtures. One day I am going to build a DMX decoder for those lights and poke it into the fixture. |
I don't know the brand but it's a beast. Three transformers in the main box and they are large I've had it for years running just the yard lights. But i swapped the Fiberstars fiber optics for the MicroBrites in the pool, spa, and waterfall. I don't use DMX but do LED with WLED throughout my house and Yard |
Yeah I have local decoders and PAR fixtures (28 of them) strewn throughout the yard. There is also a sound to light processor that is hooked into the sound system that does full on concert music effects. Unfortunately, that unit locks up if it isn't getting a constant feed so I find myself rebooting it when I want the sound processor active (I think it doesn't like a floating ground). But I power the architectural side wit a 2 universe Nicolaudie Stick DE3. I have it run searchlight effects, color rainbows and chases all over the yard. Combine that with the fire features and it looks like Vegas! |
Sounds very Nice! especially after seeing your Controller Box beautiful setup!! |
We're making good progress here... open any new issues if anything crops up. |
How do I use the nixie controller, how to get started?
@tagyoureit
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