myco Posted December 13, 2015 not quite gonna cut it unfortunately miss meander it needs to be happening automatically so if I was going to try and mess around and see if i could learn some of this crazy electronics arduino stuff would something like one of these be good to buy to help learn how it all workshttp://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lab-Starter-basic-Kit-MEGA-2560-R3-Kit-for-Arduino-Enthusiasts-Nano-Leonardo-/151766863188?hash=item2356028d54:g:18YAAOSwgQ9VvswS http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3D-Printer-RFID-Starter-Learning-Kit-for-Arduino-from-Knowing-to-Utilizing-/231464223379?hash=item35e457c293:g:O5IAAOSwEeFVBpRe 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sallubrious Posted December 13, 2015 (edited) They're good value myco if you think you have a need for all those add ons. If you can afford it and you think you'll use them go for it. *********3rd edit of this space******************************************************************************************* The sintron kits are good value and a good place to start. For $30 bucks you'll get enough to kick you off. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sintron-UNO-R3-Light-Starter-Kit-for-Arduino-AVR-MCU-learner-PDF-Study-Files-/151065206648?hash=item232c301f78:g:haoAAOSweW5VZSER Don't buy anything from this prick - he's fucked my mate around to no end. He sells stuff he doesn't even have and has a well planned strategy to dodge his obligations. ***************************************************************************************************************************************** The PDF's that come with the kit are worth the money alone. The individual components could be sourced cheaper but the PDF's included justify the cost. You really don't need all the bells and whistles to get started. Start blinking an LED and you'll be coding like a demon in a few weeks. It's not like the old days when you had to code in hex, these days a kid can do it. If you want to switch 240 v with it you'll need to buy a relay shield or wire your own. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Two-2-Channel-Relay-Module-With-Optocoupler-For-PIC-AVR-DSP-ARM-Arduino-5V-New-/181752994310?hash=item2a51529a06:g:pjgAAOSwPcVVmfAX 240 v is deadly and one small mistake could kill, so that side really should be wired or at the very least checked by an electrician or someone qualified before it's powered up. Be very careful around the mains voltage myco. Edited December 16, 2015 by Sally 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BedOSpines Posted December 13, 2015 I reckon learning to code aduino is the hard bit, putting the components together is prity much lego. There's so many different kits to choose. If you want to learn without buying kits there's lots of online aduino simulators. So you can learn without any physical hardware. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sallubrious Posted December 13, 2015 The arduino libs are open source, so in many cases it's a cut and paste operation. Simple switching (on/off) routines are amongst the most basic processes on arduino. It can be as complex or simple as you want. Most of what myco wants has all been done and is free to use or adapt for your own purpose. Just dive in myco. If you can blink an LED you're half way there. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IndianDreaming Posted December 14, 2015 Here's an instructable that can handle 6 alarms and control 7 devices based on Arduino... http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-multiple-timer-Day-based-and-alarm-based/ Although you may not make your own shields, the code alone for this project would be worth a look... If you search for home automation using Arduino you're likely to find something that suits your needs. Home automation is controlling 240v devices with timers/switches/events so if you're going the Arduino route, I would start here, on the backs of others that have done the trial and error already. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sallubrious Posted December 14, 2015 ^ He switched his relays with a transistor and diode, like I've always done with microprocessors. Most of the shields seem to be using opto couplers these days. There's many paths to Rome in the electronic world. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sallubrious Posted December 15, 2015 (edited) This little unit seems like it's designed for greenhouse control straight out of the box. It only drives one relay but it has temp and humidity sensors & wifi onboard. It would be overkill for a timer though. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ESP8266-ESP-201-NodeMCU-802-11-WiFi-Development-Kit-Arduino-Raspberry-Pi-DHT11-/201394488445?hash=item2ee40c047d:g:ZewAAOSwjVVVs2D2 Edit: that was quick they're all sold now. Edited December 15, 2015 by Sally Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
