Opinions on my control board

JoJosReef

10kW Club member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 27, 2021
Messages
11,693
Reaction score
40,105
Location
Orange County, CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi all! Getting a bit crazy with the DIY/DIWO (do it with others) control board project. Here goes.

Goal: mount Hydros Minnow, smart dosing container, wifi strip(s) and device controllers, and hide bricks and wires.

Approach: $18 pegboard + aluminum nuts and bolts + 3D printed stuff from Etsy

Pegboard comes in a pack of 2. Using 60mm aluminum standoffs, connected the two pegboards. This should give enough space between to mount bricks and wires internally.
1726097909170.jpeg


Couple of standoffs in the center for stability.
1726097956794.jpeg


Had 4 more standoffs, so one in the middle of each side for even more stability. Plus, I can hook my finger around the front middle standoffs to slide the control board out.
1726097980451.jpeg


Current layout of the gear I don't currently already have in use (Inkbird, Helio) or ones I haven't unboxed yet (MP40 controller, return pump controller).
1726098126623.jpeg


Wire management is always a challenge, so I plan to mount bricks in between pegboards with something like this:
1726098171396.png

Then wires need to be routed in an organized fashion, thinking of over the top or sides mounted in place with something like this:
1726098223748.png

Not planning to cut holes in the pegboard to push wires through the hole. Want to keep it flexible so I can move stuff around.

I'll also get the 3D printed Helio and MP40 mounts. Inkbird can be mounted directly on, so no need for those mounts. Maybe something like this:
1726098329125.jpeg


Although I likely need a few more plugs, so I could shuffle things to get space for another power strip:
1726098387469.jpeg


Afterwards, It is meant to slide into the "controller cabinet compartment" of the stand:
1726098421854.jpeg


Will be a tight fit, but that's OK. I could put some strips of black plexiglass sheet in the front between the two pegboards to hide the wire rat nest. Good stuff.

Anyway, thoughts on ways to improve? Thanks!
 

tbrown

Nominated Cronie Intern - Might be failing?
View Badges
Joined
Nov 22, 2019
Messages
58,985
Reaction score
144,770
Location
Peoria, AZ
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Put the Inkbird on the "front" so it's visible without having to remove the setup? It would also free up more room for the second power strip that way?
 

fishguy242

Cronies..... INSERT BUILD THREAD BADGE HERE !!
View Badges
Joined
Jan 21, 2020
Messages
46,975
Reaction score
276,159
Location
Illinois
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
cooling fan(s) in cabinet ? hole in back ?
 
OP
OP
JoJosReef

JoJosReef

10kW Club member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 27, 2021
Messages
11,693
Reaction score
40,105
Location
Orange County, CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
cooling fan(s) in cabinet ? hole in back ?
There are two holes going through the ATO shelf in the back near the top. I'll run cables through there.
PXL_20240626_194331297~2.jpg


Not sure if I'll stick with the 3 USB fans I currently have or go for one larger fan mounted to the top pointing down.

I'm also thinking of running a doser with a LONG coil of tubing through the mini fridge to act as a "chiller" which kicks on after temp hits 80 or so. During the summer, fans can't keep up and tank hits 82 over the weekend.
 
OP
OP
JoJosReef

JoJosReef

10kW Club member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 27, 2021
Messages
11,693
Reaction score
40,105
Location
Orange County, CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Put the Inkbird on the "front" so it's visible without having to remove the setup? It would also free up more room for the second power strip that way?
I'll have the Hydros further to the back where the dosing lines will snake through the back holes, and the Helio and Inkbird can be toward the front so they are visible. Also the return pump control front/bottom for easy access!
 

TangerineSpeedo

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 8, 2022
Messages
2,758
Reaction score
4,298
Location
SoCal
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
You really do not need a Helios and an Inkbird... Besides being redundant, I think you can run your helios with your Hydros power strip and have it turn your helios off if it hits a certain temp from the temp probe from your hydros.
 
OP
OP
JoJosReef

JoJosReef

10kW Club member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 27, 2021
Messages
11,693
Reaction score
40,105
Location
Orange County, CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
You really do not need a Helios and an Inkbird... Besides being redundant, I think you can run your helios with your Hydros power strip and have it turn your helios off if it hits a certain temp from the temp probe from your hydros.
That is a very very good point. I suppose the Hydros will function just like an inkbird backup in this regard. I can still put the Finnex backup heater on the Hydros power strip too, set to turn on if temp hits 76 (i e., helio craps out and doesn't heat). That saves space and wires! Might go with a second Hydros strip then.
 
OP
OP
JoJosReef

JoJosReef

10kW Club member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 27, 2021
Messages
11,693
Reaction score
40,105
Location
Orange County, CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
You really do not need a Helios and an Inkbird... Besides being redundant, I think you can run your helios with your Hydros power strip and have it turn your helios off if it hits a certain temp from the temp probe from your hydros.
And how was RAP? I was booked all weekend, but planning to reserve some time for the next CFM.
 
OP
OP
JoJosReef

JoJosReef

10kW Club member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 27, 2021
Messages
11,693
Reaction score
40,105
Location
Orange County, CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Man, I wish I saw this sooner. This is a great idea. I went this route instead and 3D printed grids and attached them to a plywood backboard.

1726180997382.png
Still looks great! Love the bottle and tool organization also!
 

TangerineSpeedo

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 8, 2022
Messages
2,758
Reaction score
4,298
Location
SoCal
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
And how was RAP? I was booked all weekend, but planning to reserve some time for the next CFM.
RAP was great. I worked a vendor booth so it was a much different experience from other years just walking the aisles. You got to spend more time talking with with other exhibitors pre and post show. Did you know that one of the few people that has the rare pink birds nest is Julian Sprung... It was a lot of hard work, long hours, but very worth it.
 

HAVE YOU EVER KEPT A RARE/UNCOMMON FISH, CORAL, OR INVERT? SHOW IT OFF IN THE THREAD!

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
Back
Top