Timeline

26 JAN 11 - Added new fluorescent light to support the LED light. New .hex uploaded.

29 Dec - Fixed some bugs in the software.New .hex uploaded, and some new pictures.

16 Dec - I made some changes in the PWM circuit controlling the FANs.I changed MOSFETs with NPN due to high base current and thus...simple low pass filter...low PWM noise.I will upload the circuit soon.

5 Dec - New main and slave controller binary uploaded in "Project Documents".New options are listed in ChangeLOG.txt.For now the controller is working fine :).Just final t

28 Nov - The project is almost completed.I put all the plans inside and now it's time to see is the system working properly.

24 Nov - Added some pictures with few flowers in the tank.

23 Nov - New .hex is loaded in to the download area.Changed fans PWM frequency due to noise, fixed some problems with leds auto mode and few new option in pump menu.

20 Nov - Added new options to the software.New change log will be uploaded tomorrow 21 Nov with the new .hex files.

7 Nov - Added few additional wires to connect the LEDs and resistor cooling fans to one PWM channel.Added power supply socket to the back of the cabinet.

4-5 Nov - I made the surrounding that will hold the water level up to 7cm around the main decoration.Uploaded few pictures.

25 Oct - Few days ago I bought an electro magnetic valve that I plan to use to divide the flow from the waterfall pump to create a rein imitation, but unfortunately the pump wasn't able to provide enough "water column" to send water to the top of the vivarium, where the valve is mounted.I will leave the valve there for future applications.

21 Oct - I made some modifications on the resistors for the lighting, because of the high temperature.

13 Oct - Today I build the humidity sensor.It's working, but the Vout span is from 2 to 3V, so 10mV per %.If I order something from farnell soon I will buy a digital sensor, because for this circuit I need a voltage reference which I didn't include on the PCB.+- 2% relative humidity accuracy is ok for now.

9 Oct - 24 h test is completed.There is some problems whit H/C system, but I hope today I will fix them.New binary dumps uploaded in the download area.

3 Oct - LEDs attached to the second controller.Fixed some issues with some faulty MOSFETs.

30 Sep - The temperature sensors are working :).

27 Sep - I made a new PCB design for the humidity and temperature sensors because I can't find LM358(LM2904) in MSOP case.

26 Sep - Main PCB is ready.I had some issues with I2C(OpenI2C() generate START cond, but I addressed the slave after 1sec, so the time out was true) and the slave controller, but I think I fix them.

25 Sep - Began assembling main controller pcb.Some problems with the 2Hz time generator, but I solved them.

24 Sep - The slave controller is almost finish.

16 Sep - Finishing the outer wood of the cover of the vivarium.

13 Sep - Wiring of the lightning, choosing correct resistors for LEDs.

9 - 12 Sep - Using the firs heat sink for the heating system as a heat sink for cooling the leds. Drilling and mounting the leds.

1 - 8 Sep - Ordering the PCBs for the main controller, LEDs, and humidity sensor.

27-30 Aut - Some tests of the new cooling system.Now the things are better.

20-25 Aug - Finally I got a new outer side heat sink, creating a new air duct for the 4 TECs.

10-20 Aug - Searching for new outer side heat sink with lower C/W.

1-10 Aug - Again, redesign of the cooling/heating system, this time with two additional TECs, 4 in total.Ordering them from eBay UK.

22 : 25 Jul - Redesign of the cooling/heating system using two CPU head sinks - better than first one, but still not enough cooling capacity.

20 Jul - Some test with 2 150W TECs running ot 40% of power - poor performance in cooling the vivarium.Redesign the air flow in the vivarium with the idea to increase the cooling effectiveness.

15 May 2010 : 15 Jul 2010 - the project was on hold due to study in Germany .

May 2010 - Creating the cover_pcb - the PCB located in the cover of the aquarium.

May 2010 - Adding second controller, located in the cover of the vivarium, due to the exceed load of the main one with real time software PWM.

May 2010 - developing the main controller software, creating the main menu for set up the system, fixing some bugs.

April 2010 - Redesign of the cover.I was't able to find the correct heat sink for the inner side.

March 2010 - creating Google Sketch Up model of the cover.

March 2010 - building the supporting furniture for the vivarium.