Arduino Incubator

[Mister B]

Ok, so my last project, an automatic waterer did not work as well as I wanted it. It watered, but continuously. I think there is an air leak in my system,

Anyway, not one to be held back, I am jumping onto another project, I want to make an Arduino powered incubator. I want to have the Arduino switch a light on/off when my thermometer says the temp is too high/low. I have the idea how it works, I know enough about electronics, I can set it all up. I just have trouble with the coding. Anybody out there have any idea how to write the code? I have code for my thermometer and it works fine. I just need to turn the light on/off with the Arduino.

 

[Mister B]

Got the Arduino working. I have to make a few adjustments to the temperature where the light comes on and off. I need to get a relay to turn on the light on and off. Should be working in a few days (whenever the relay comes in). I have it set up so that an LED will come on and off at the right time. The thermostat has a variance of +/_ 0.5 degrees, so it should work fine. I will let you know when eggs hatch! If you want a list of material and the Arduino sketch, just let me know.

 

[acdev]

This sounds like a great idea. I'm new to the chicken world, but I've been messing with electronics for a while. Never arduino, though. I've always wanted to make something with arduino, and I'm hoping that automating the chicken coop would be a good combination of hobbies.

Keep us updated on your experiments!

 

[komer]

what kind of temperature sensor are you using?
does it have LCD od 7 segment display with temperature setting/reading?
pls post some more informations.
Regards,
Velimir

 

[Mister B]

Sorry for the delay. I'm using a DHT22. I do not have an LCD, I am not that adept at bending the Arduino to my will. RIght now, I can get the Arduino print out to my computer and turn on an LED when the temp is a certain amount. I am waiting for my relay to come in so I can make a light come on. Here is the sketch as it is now. This just prints out the temperature in F. I can't find the one that turns the LED on. I think I just added a line or two. If temp is <100 turn pin 13 High. Else pin 13 low. That makes the LED on/off based on temp. I can change the pin number and make the relay work.


// Example testing sketch for various DHT humidity/temperature sensors
// Written by ladyada, public domain

#include "DHT.h"

#define DHTPIN 2 // what pin we're connected to

// Uncomment whatever type you're using!
//#define DHTTYPE DHT11 // DHT 11
#define DHTTYPE DHT22 // DHT 22 (AM2302)
//#define DHTTYPE DHT21 // DHT 21 (AM2301)

// Connect pin 1 (on the left) of the sensor to +5V
// Connect pin 2 of the sensor to whatever your DHTPIN is
// Connect pin 4 (on the right) of the sensor to GROUND
// Connect a 10K resistor from pin 2 (data) to pin 1 (power) of the sensor

DHT dht(DHTPIN, DHTTYPE);

void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
Serial.println("DHTxx test!");

dht.begin();
}

void loop() {
// Reading temperature or humidity takes about 250 milliseconds!
// Sensor readings may also be up to 2 seconds 'old' (its a very slow sensor)
float h = dht.readHumidity();
float t = dht.readTemperature();
float F;

F=t*9/5+32;

// check if returns are valid, if they are NaN (not a number) then something went wrong!
if (isnan(t) || isnan(h)) {
Serial.println("Failed to read from DHT");
} else {
Serial.print("Humidity: ");
Serial.print(h);
Serial.print(" %\f");
Serial.print("Temperature: ");
Serial.print(F);
Serial.println(" *F");
}
}

 

[Mister B]

I put this project on hold until I have more time. I got a simpler solution to work, just used a water heater thermometer. I have it steady at 100F. I think this setup, though, would be much more stable for a wider variety of boxes. Perhaps I will make a setup you just plug a light into and sell them.

 

[Tantukz]

Sir can I ask for the list of materials and sketch and circuit of this project? I'm new to this but I want to make this project. Thanks.

 

[Mister B]

Well, it is still a work in progress. Right now, I need to get some more parts. The sketch above works, but would need some tweaking. I stopped this project and went to an analog setup. Here's what I have so far.
Material:
Arduino (I have a uno. I guess any would work)
DHT22 Temp and humidity sensor. (I have the temp working, but not the humidity.)
Relay shield (pick one. I got one with 2 outputs. Be sure it is rated for mains)
Lamp part ( have no idea what it is called, just the part you put the bulb in)
Wire ( rated for mains. I took a cheap extension cord apart)

That will make it work. I added these parts too.

Switch box (not sure of real name, blue box they put wires in and a switch for your house. Lowes 30 cents)
Computer Fan

I want to add a servo as well to open and close a vent when the humidity is above a certain level.

 

[tidangerous]

I am also interested in building an Arduino incubator. I was wondering what kind of light bulb you planed to use. I would suggest putting a delay in your program between when your light comes on and goes off to prevent your light from flickering too much and popping the filament.

 

[Mister B]

The Arduino is on hold. Right now, my water heater thermostat is working fine. The plan was to use a 100 watt bulb, but those are gone. Actually all incandescent bulbs are going away. Not sure what I will do.