To further the development of the robotic arm. A custom camera was designed for the end and then tested in the grow. It had a high magnification to it which allowed for easy inspection of the tricombs.
The camera inspecting the tris
Camera arm mounted on a surface.
To further the security aspect of the project an IR camera sensor was purchased and a prototype night vision camera deployed.
The prototype camera in it’s test case.
The video being published to the system.
Made upgrades to the system in order to control the power jack better. The interface allows for activation and deactivation of each jack.
The interface added easier adding/removing of devices to the grow.
The box flicking the light on and off.
The prototype UI interface.
The initial working prototype of the automated power system. The was a 4 port power jack, again constructed in a leftover Amazon delivery box I believe.
The first wiring of the 5v power supply.
Wiring the power control board up.
Everything running now time to integrate into enclosure.
Everything contained in the prototype box.
It closes very nicely.
The power jack running lights and the second prototype camera.
The first grow cam was created out of cardboard and microprocessors. The camera streamed via RTMP back to the computer.
The completed camera. Sorry no WIP photos but it wasn’t a complex piece.
The video streaming back to the computer.
Camera watching the grow.
Watching inside the tent.
Now was the time to move on and create the dosers for the nutrient solution. These were prototype only and ended up needing a bit of software control to function. In the end next time I’ll likely try a different way to dose the nutes.
Gathering the tools needed
Cutting out each doser hole from the prototype container.
Cutting the holes for the dosers.
Getting all my dosers in a row ๐
Wiring each doser up.
More wiring.
Wiring each doser to the electrical panel.
Now the electrical and framing for the case is complete we need to add the plumbing. This ended up being a bad system design as the valves I used require main line water pressure to open and the pumps I used in the system couldn’t reach it. In the end I cut the values out and just directly fed everything.
Wiring up the valves.
Laying the parts out.
All glued together to ensure it can’t be taken apart later ๐
Amazon coming through last minute.
Plumbing all wired up.
Water intake working.
Continuing on with the nutrient mixing system it was time to put the cabinet together that would house the prototype. Lumber was purchased and cut at the local mill and the assembly began. I was able to mount the mixing buckets and overflow containers into the frame at the end.
The purchased lumber
The initial framing of the back of the cabnet.
The initial framing of the back of the cabnet.
Both frames put together.
Both parts joined and the cabnet box is formed.
At this time I had mounted the electrical system from the previous project.
Tagging the clean side. Finally had a use for all those stickers.
The cabnet with the water equipment added.
The cabnet with the water equipment added.
Work began on the next version of the nutrient mixing machine. Chemical grade dosing containers were purchased and the system work began.
Initial Sketch of Mixer.
Wiring the electrical system for the pumps.
The nutrient dosers.
The electrical system being screwed into place.
On it’s side before mounting.
The interface connection to the power system.
The beginning of robotic automation design. A small scale industrial arm was purchased and the initial design began.
The arm to be used around the cultivation.
