jimee/doser

5 Channel Doser + Auto Top Off for aquariums

Doser

Doser is an Arduino (RBBB) based 5 Channel Doser and Auto Top-Off controller by Georgi Todorov.

Features

• 5 Channels

  Doser has 5 channels for peristaltic pumps that can be individually calibrated and set to precise schedule for dosing, automatic or continuous water changes.

• ATO

  Doser can also handle auto top-off needs using simple float switches. The controller can be set to work with 1, 2 or 3 switch configuration. It is recommended that at least 2 float switches are used to ensure that your top off pump does not run out of water and burn out.

  The ATO system will have a safety timer to prevent accidental overdosing of fresh water.

• RTC

  Doser has a real time clock chip with battery backup that keeps the time for accurate scheduling of top-off and dosing.

• LCD

  Doser uses a 4x20 character LCD to display the current date and time as well as dosing information and error states from the top-off system.

• IR Remote Control

  Doser also has an infrared sensor that is used for use input and settings. The controller should be able to learn almost any remote control and assign the required commands to any button.

• Really Bare Bones Board (RBBB) Arduino

  Doser is using a 5V RBBB Arduino from Modern Device for its brain.

Files

• Software

  The firmware for Doser is being developed using the Arduino IDE The code is Arduino 1.0 compatible and should work with older versions as well. The only required additional library is the DS1302.

  Please note that the firmware is still a work in progress.

• Hardware

  Under hardware you will find files from the free version of Eagle PCB.

Getting a Doser

• PCB

  There are plenty fab house in China that offer PCB services for very reasonable price. Seeed Studio will make 10 boards for a little over $25. iTead Studio has very similar offer.

• Dosing Pumps

  Doser will work with almost any 12V dosing head. The controller was designed and tested with the Marine Magic dosing heads from eBay.

• Bill Of Materials

  The BOM files are under hardware in the repository. They list the rest of the required hardware including the RBBB from Modern Device and the LCD from Modern Device. The latest parts list, excluding LCD and RBBB can also be found on Mouser.

License

• Software

  Copyright (C) 2011-2012 Georgi Todorov All rights reserved.

  This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

  This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.

  You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA

• Hardware Licensed under the TAPR Open Hardware License (www.tapr.org/OHL)