*Released* ReefAngel 2.1 Client! - Going International

Hey Clix, congrats on the controller purchase. I've always had the same kind of very helpful correspondence with Roberto. He's great to deal with.

Do you mean you had two more switches added to the controller, so you have a total of 4 now? If so, you will most likely be running a custom firmware uploaded on the controller in order to utilize those extra switches. Currently my software is designed around Curt Binders latest set of development libraries for the controller, which only use the two switches. Once you get the controller we'll have to have a look at the firmware that's used. If we can get your extra switches into the base code for his libraries, I shouldn't have a problem supporting it. I'm trying to avoid branching off for customized versions since maintaining each version will end up turning into a nightmare.

To be honest, the latest set of libraries still need a some work for "ideal" ATO support with my Client. The next set of libraries should include the changes I need, so right now would be a good time to try and get your necessary changes in there if need be. We'll have to wait and see how your libraries look first, though.

Beta 2.0 does not.

This feature will be part of 2.1, along with the relay expansion support and ATO switch notification over SMS/Email. I should have something ready in the next few weeks.

You can do this if you have the wifi module using the built in webserver. You will most likely want a dyndns account and need to setup some port forwarding on your router. There's even a way to password protect it but I've never messed with that.

 

In my case, I had the two PWM channels converted to the extra two ATO switch inputs...

So how do I go about making the necessary changes.....?...I would need to request (in the google group) the addition of 4 ATO switches in the next libraries release, but we ned to see my libraries first before we can conclude what changes right?.....but should I ask for that request now regardless?


Your next release will be able to show 2 or more relay boxes correct?
Looking forward to the coming upgrades with the PWM percentages too...

Thanks!..keep up the great work!!

 

The google groups would be a great starting point. We need to see if we can get the extra switches into Roberto's "Standard Libraries" since those are the libraries that Curt then bases his development version off of. Once inside the development libraries, I would be able to have a setting in my Client to support the extra switches without a problem. I just don't know how common your setup is and if it makes sense have them part of the standard libraries. We'll leave that up to the firmware gurus.

Worst case scenario, if you're happy with the feature set in the 2.1 version we can get a custom build going for you to work with your specific libraries. I just won't be able to maintain the updates for it.

The 2.1 version will introduce support for the extra relay box, yes. That includes remotely masking relays ON/OFF/AUTO on the second box as well. In addition to displaying the current PWM % dim values, I plan to also display all the current settings stored in memory on the controller. This means actinic and metal halide on/off times, ATO timeouts, heater settings, wavemaker settings etc... The idea is you will be able to see on the Client exactly how your controller is programmed to behave. In another version, I'll eventually be able to set those settings remotely as well.

 

Thanks for the clarifications....and options...Il get started askign Roberto and the google group members.
Just one more clarification, will the 2.1 release handle more than two relay boxes also...i.e three boxes?

Thanks.

 

The plan for 2.1 was just the one expansion box to start with. I didn't think that the expansion hub was out yet to support the full 72 relays or all 9 relay boxes. I thought for now, all you could do was the one expansion. Is that not the case? I might have to rethink the next version if Roberto's pushing out multiple expansion boxes already.

 

My mistake, I re-read and this: "Up to 8 relay expansion modules can be connected simultaneously"


I thought you only needed ONE relay expansion moduel for extra relays (up to 8 )...seems you need an expansion moduel for each relay box...in which case, I am incorrect...you need a expansion hub for more two or more relay boxes...

However, I dont think he is too far off from releasing the hubs...but don't want to speak for him.

As per reef angel web site :
"Note: Only one expansion module can be connected to your system without a Reef Angel Expansion Hub (to be released soon). "

 

On another note, regarding 2.1 release....what about a system like mine that will have an expansion moduel for 6 PWM channels....how will I be able to see % PWM on the Client Suite?..should I also discuss this with the group/firmware guys...or more yourself?

Much appreciated,

 

Whoa, the plot thickens. 6 PWM channels huh? It's beginning to sound more and more like you've got yourself a pretty customized ReefAngel over there. Again, this is something that needs to end up in the development libraries for me to have a good shot at implementing it. There's a few reasons for that, but the big one is I don't have any possible way of testing or emulating your individual environment. PWM dim percentages are stored in specific memory locations on the controller. My client is closely tied to the dev libraries and I need to know that a specific memory location will aways have the value for a specific setting. Right now, those extra PWM values don't have a memory location that I know of.

I would start a thread on the google group to discuss this more in depth and see what the options are. Also to find out what version of the libraries will come installed on your controller.

 

Super impressed with your work. I'll have to use one of my (3) RA's with it

 

Or even better... One copy of the of Client Suite per ReefAngel. 3 copies running in total monitoring and logging each one individually.