Summary of AquaCont – Aquarium Control using pic microcontroller
The AquaCont is an electronic aquarium management system using a PIC18F4520 microcontroller. It features an integrated real-time clock and temperature sensor, enabling control of 8 relay outputs with programmable weekly timers and temperature-based triggers. The system includes a 4x20 LCD for monitoring status, 8 bicolor LEDs for output indication, and an RS232 port for PC communication with WinTimer software. Power supplies of 5V and 12V ensure microcontroller protection via optocouplers isolating high voltage. Timer data and settings are stored in onboard and external EEPROMs for reliable operation and customization.
Parts used in the AquaCont Aquarium Control System:
- PIC18F4520 Microcontroller
- Real-time clock integrated circuit
- Digital temperature sensor
- 8-Channel Relay board (requiring 12V supply)
- 4x20 LCD Display
- 8 Bicolor LEDs
- RS232 Serial Port interface
- Additional LC2416 EEPROM memory
- Two Optocouplers for voltage isolation
- Lithium battery (for RTC backup)
- 5V power supply (main board)
- 12V power supply (relay board)
The AquaCont is an electronic system witch permits to manage and to monitor most of the parameters of all the electrics devices that can be found in a aquarium. The PIC18F4520 used to realize it, combines a real time clock and a temperature sensor in order to control 8 relays. The system main characteristics are:
time / calendar
weekly timer for 6 daily events
digital temperature sensor
additional eeprom memory
8 outputs controlled by relays joinables to timer events ( 2 of them that can be joined to temperature sensor)
LCD display 4×20
8 bicolour LEDs associated to output ports
RS232 serial port for PC communication
The LCD display permits to monitor the current date and time, the temperature detected by the sensor and moreover it permits to visualize each port status in the last row. In the following LCD screens display it is possible to program the weekly timer events, set the temperature sensor parameters and manage the serial connection with a PC where is running the included WinTimer software.
The power supply needed by the main board is 5V, while the relays board requires 12V; the different source power was useful in granting the protection of the microcontroller and his circuits from overvoltage and short circuit on the 220V. Two optocouplers are utilized for that purpose ensuring the isolation of the different voltages.
The weekly timers are programmed basing on the clock provided by the proper integrated circuit supplied with a lithium battery. The timers data are memorized in the micro’s eeprom. The RS232 serial port allows to simply program the micro using the corresponding PC software; the functions provided in the PC software are also included in the firmware, except for the PC clock syncing. Using the Pc software is also possible to assign a description, to each of the 8 relays ports that will be memorized in the additional LC2416 eeprom memory. In this memory will be also stored the temperature sensor’s settings data.
For more detail: AquaCont – Aquarium Control
