ReefRhythm - Advance Stepper Motor Controller with OpenSource

[BDH]

You don't really, as the tubing also plays a part here. Using different tubing (e.g. a stiffer rubber) may work.

Most pumps of this fashion require some calibration to ensure more equal flow rates.

This makes sense. And of course I can change the flow rate with the controllers if I go with the two pump system. I was just surprised at how far out they were, all other things being equal.

 

[BDH]

In my opinion, the idea of a pump with double tubing only fits laboratories where lines are short, etc.

About your issue, I think pumps have different performance because of the of the tubing in pumps and the different line lengths.
But everything can be calibrated. Just calibration should be performed with a real setup. And if you have 2 pumps, for refilling and draining, they can be calibrated separately and it should solve the problem or at least make it less inaccurate

Very true. Once calibrated, do you find that they hold their calibration indefinitely, or is it something that will require frequent checks?

 

[theatrus]

Very true. Once calibrated, do you find that they hold their calibration indefinitely, or is it something that will require frequent checks?

Periodic calibration is required - the tubing will stretch and deform, and there is bio-fouiling, but the difference may equalize if both pumps are running the same amount.

 

[butch708]

hello, nice project.

i have a setup with A4988 IC like that, but with 24v psu:
Esp32_A4988

is this setup compatible with your project?

 

[Danchik]

Hello @yury88 ,

I received the driver and controller board, connected it, and configured the driver itself according to your scheme.
I have another problem...
Do you have any detailed instructions on how to configure and install the firmware on the ESP32-S3? Unfortunately, I don't understand it...

And what files from the latest version do I need to download from GitHub?

P.S. esptool and python are installed

 

[yury88]

Hello @yury88 ,

I received the driver and controller board, connected it, and configured the driver itself according to your scheme.
I have another problem...
Do you have any detailed instructions on how to configure and install the firmware on the ESP32-S3? Unfortunately, I don't understand it...

And what files from the latest version do I need to download from GitHub?

P.S. esptool and python are installed

Hi, follow the steps in video:

Link is always going to latest stable vestion.
Current is v0.9.4-master-20240509

Boot mode -keep pushing boot button and connect to usb. Or keep pushing "boot" button and push "reset".
After you can release buttons and flash by command

Release Release v0.9.4-master-20240509 · telenkov88/reefrhythm-smartdoser

Commits 4d39cb3: fix schedule update for extensions (Iurii Telenkov)

github.com

 

[yury88]

hello, nice project.

i have a setup with A4988 IC like that, but with 24v psu:
Esp32_A4988

is this setup compatible with your project?

Oh no. These are usual drivers that controlled directly by Step impulses.
These project works currently only with smart drivers MKS Servo42C

Its kinda complicated to make project like that with Step/Dir drivers without overpowered single board computer like raspberry pi.

Maybe I will support TMC drivers latter in "next gen" of this project, but its will be also some kinda smart drivers like TMC2209 with UART command support.
Mostly is needed only for supper compact builds with micro pumps. For usual size builds no reason to use old style drivers.

 

[yury88]

I updated Wiki and added instructions:
1)Flashing Custom MicroPython Firmware on ESP32 Using esptool
2)MKS Servo42C Driver Setup

 

[Danchik]

@yury88
I installed the firmware, thanks)

If I have a stepper motor (17HS4401S-XH-2.54) for 1.5A
and there is no such current value in the settings.. there is 1.4A or 1.6A, then what value should I set... 1.4A?

Regarding MQTT, I did not understand the settings... what data should be specified for:
MQTT broker
MQTT login
MQTT password

And as for the time settings... is there no option for summer and winter time? To avoid switching between time zones in the future(

 

[yury88]

This stepper drivers support current with 200ma steps. So you can set up 1600ma. Don't worry to much because these drivers do not use extra power if its not needed. It's more like "current limit".

Mqtt broker- IP/Domain name of your broker
Login/password...

About Summers/winter time. If you know how complicated to implement this.
So many countries...
But I'll think about these feature

 

[Danchik]

@yury88
I faced another problem... under any settings, the stepper motor does not spin... it feels like something is blocking it... I can feel it with my hands that it is darting from time to time.
I've already tried to swap the outside wires in the loop between the driver and the motor, as well as the internal wires, thinking that maybe there is a difference where the wire comes from.

But in the driver settings “Calc” the calibration process is normal, a couple of seconds in one direction and then scrolls in the other.


Perhaps some settings have not been made yet...?

 

[yury88]

Just in case restart full setup by power.
Maybe you enabled UART mode of driver and do not restar setup?
This mode start working after restart. I will add this into instruction.

Than, if it's not moving check RX TX wiring, Driver Settings again.

 

[yury88]

About Driver+Motor setup- if its moving by driver "calibration", clockwise and than counterclockwise-its totally correct setup, no need to do with motor anything.

 

[Danchik]

Just in case restart full setup by power.
Maybe you enabled UART mode of driver and do not restar setup?
This mode start working after restart. I will add this into instruction.

Than, if it's not moving check RX TX wiring, Driver Settings again.

The settings are all saved in the driver according to your instructions, as well as the "CR_UART" mode.

What did I notice.. when there is voltage on the driver and the controller, I can't turn the motor shaft with my hands, it's blocked, that's how it should be..?
But if you turn off the voltage, the motor unlocks and the rotor spins easily.

The contacts between the driver and the RX and TX controller are present and soldered

 

[yury88]

The settings are all saved in the driver according to your instructions, as well as the "CR_UART" mode.

What did I notice.. when there is voltage on the driver and the controller, I can't turn the motor shaft with my hands, it's blocked, that's how it should be..?
But if you turn off the voltage, the motor unlocks and the rotor spins easily.

The contacts between the driver and the RX and TX controller are present and soldered

Yep, its correct that rotor is "Blocked".
When driver is powered on its keep position of rotor.

Can you make photo of your wiring?
Controller Rx should be connected to Tx of driver
Controller Tx to Rx driver

 

[yury88]

And if you have only 1-pump setup your driver Uart_addr should be 0xe0.
Pump 1 will control 0xe0 Driver
Pump 2 will control 0xe1 Driver