Using arduino to automate ballast systems

Hi all

I have spent the last few months coming to grips with ‘Arduino.’ This is a whole new world for me and it will transform how my model sub works! The system is yet to be wired in so there is a long way to go but here is a little vid showing how it all works. So any comments are welcome, and I will update you on how it goes in practice.

https://youtu.be/Kx6r0zQV9Ws

Cheers

John

Hi John,

Happy New Year! (Glad to see that you are putting empty wine bottles to good use!)

That looks very promising. I particulary like the ability to program functions together in a sequence.

One slight reservation - you are putting all your eggs in one (Arduino) basket. You need to be sure that the Arduino can cope with interference, varying battery voltages, brown-outs, surges etc. I am advised that wafting a hair dryer near the receiver is a good test for interference. (Wish I needed one!)

But it looks very good and it is all small and cheap enough and well supported.

Looking forward to the next phase!

David

David

Thanks for that. I agree about the interference. I have already found a glitch. i took the system to the local 'club' and had it in the car. The sealed container for th epressure gauge became warm and the surface routine therefore was stuffed. I need to add another hose to it to equalise depending on temp. This is just the first of probably a few issues. i will try the hair dryer. Sounds rather scary!

John

HI JOHN ,

I'm waiting with great interest what have You don .
Do You have some news about Your work ?.
Can You add a small example of Arduiono code here ?.

I'm starting to learn , with the small steps the Arduino secrets , but there is a Huge amount of information to ketch up so is going to take some time .
Please give us some update about Your progress .

All the Best

MARIUS

P.S   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJKeSVkz0sY&feature=youtu.be .... these was my first attempt with Arduino .

Marius

I am about to start to rewire the sub as I had another project to finish First. Happy to post some code. What do you want?

My project is these :

https://www.theassociationofmodelsubmariners.com/t1296-los-angeles-build-logs ,

and I need some code only to control the Ballast pump .
I'm interested too about Fail Safe Code , same as Yours . In case of Missing Rx Signal for 3 second to blow the water out of the Ballast Tank .
But I want to LEARN from that Example of Yours , to develop some different Commands .
If is necessary to "translate" that Arduino commands to an ANY "C" language I'm screwed !!!.
I DON"T KNOW ANYTHING about other Programing Languages .

And above all , How You did manage to transform that Code You Wrought on Arduiono into Electrical impulse for the Relays and Pump / Motors / servos , ETC ?.

MARIUS