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 4x20
8 bicolour LEDs associated to output port 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.
