LED Lightning Storm Simuation

[rimai]

You could always do it with saltwater and then turn off and just rinse with freshwater at the end.
Easy to do that with RA

[alexwbush]

very true. My concern would be with salt splashing. Most see that already in their sump... nasty stuff.

But, back on topic of programming, I should have LEDs Monday and then let the fun begin!

Roberto, how did you code the PWM expansion for cloud modes? Is it hard coded? Or is there another .h or .cpp file?

[alexwbush]

ok, step 1: random number generator

[rimai]

http://www.arduino.cc/en/Reference/Random

[bmhair03]

Roberto,
How many drivers do you need to have to run these feature? 6 ?

[rimai]

You can do storm with just one driver, but you won't get much cloud effect from just 1.
You can achieve a dim down and up, but it won't appear as a passing cloud (to the human eyes).

[alexwbush]

thats one reason I was thinking lightning storm or just cloud cover. Most people have 22 drivers (one blue, one white). But running different drivers for different rows would be pretty cool for effects.

[rimai]

For those who want to try this with the standard PWM channels, all you have to do is set different values of PWM randomly.

Something like this:

Code: Select all

#include <ReefAngel_Features.h>
#include <ReefAngel_Globals.h>
#include <ReefAngel_Wifi.h>
#include <Wire.h>
#include <OneWire.h>
#include <Time.h>
#include <DS1307RTC.h>
#include <ReefAngel_EEPROM.h>
#include <ReefAngel_NokiaLCD.h>
#include <ReefAngel_ATO.h>
#include <ReefAngel_Joystick.h>
#include <ReefAngel_LED.h>
#include <ReefAngel_TempSensor.h>
#include <ReefAngel_Relay.h>
#include <ReefAngel_PWM.h>
#include <ReefAngel_Timer.h>
#include <ReefAngel_Memory.h>
#include <ReefAngel.h>

void setup()
{
    ReefAngel.Init();  //Initialize controller
    randomSeed(analogRead(0));
}

void loop()
{
    ReefAngel.ShowInterface();
    if (second(now())==0) StandardThunderstorm(); else ReefAngel.PWM.SetDaylight(0);
}

void StandardThunderstorm()
{
  byte value=random(255);
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetDaylight(value);
}

[alexwbush]

sounds good! but doesn't the code above return a value between 0 and 255 for the LED percentage? Shouldn't it be 0-100 or 15-100 for us meanwell driver folks?

For meanwells, maybe something like:

Code: Select all

#include <ReefAngel_Features.h>
#include <ReefAngel_Globals.h>
#include <ReefAngel_Wifi.h>
#include <Wire.h>
#include <OneWire.h>
#include <Time.h>
#include <DS1307RTC.h>
#include <ReefAngel_EEPROM.h>
#include <ReefAngel_NokiaLCD.h>
#include <ReefAngel_ATO.h>
#include <ReefAngel_Joystick.h>
#include <ReefAngel_LED.h>
#include <ReefAngel_TempSensor.h>
#include <ReefAngel_Relay.h>
#include <ReefAngel_PWM.h>
#include <ReefAngel_Timer.h>
#include <ReefAngel_Memory.h>
#include <ReefAngel.h>

void setup()
{
    ReefAngel.Init();  //Initialize controller
    randomSeed(analogRead(0));
}

void loop()
{
    ReefAngel.ShowInterface();
    if (second(now())==0) StandardThunderstorm(); else ReefAngel.PWM.SetDaylight(0);
}

void StandardThunderstorm()
{
  //for meanwells 15%-100%
  byte value=random(85); 
  if (value  > 0) value = value+15;
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetDaylight(value);
}

[rimai]

You got it
Now, go test and make us a video

[bmhair03]

Very nice . will try it tomorrow and film it

[bmhair03]

if i wanted to try the cloud since i have 2 drivers what is the code for that . Now i might even break my 24 LEDS into 3 strand and add a third driver . Roberto can u PM me availability of the PWM expansion. And is it possible to mod Gen 1 boxes to work with it.

[rimai]

Although it is possible to mod it, you would have to send it to me. It's not as simple.

[bmhair03]

I have the code uploaded .What are the item that I put values in .Just the random (85) spot and what dose the % represent. will this just control 1 channel or both.

[bmhair03]

When i add the above code All that happens is my daylights start pulsing rapidly

[bmhair03]

Here is t the .pde

[rimai]

It should pulse for just one second though.
The code will pulse everytime you have a whole minute for 1 second.
I'm curious to see a video. Can you create one?

[bmhair03]

yes i can make a video. It didnt stop for me just kept strobing .

[rimai]

Let me test it then.

[bmhair03]

sounds go you know what your doing unlike me.

[rimai]

I think it's got to do with the following line:

Code: Select all

    ReefAngel.PWM.SetDaylight(PWMSlope(10,30,19,30,15,65,60,ReefAngel.PWM.GetDaylightValue()));

Try removing it.
I'll only be able to test tomorrow. I have LED string to test at the office.

[binder]

I think it's got to do with the following line:

Code: Select all

    ReefAngel.PWM.SetDaylight(PWMSlope(10,30,19,30,15,65,60,ReefAngel.PWM.GetDaylightValue()));

Try removing it.
I'll only be able to test tomorrow. I have LED string to test at the office.

I would think that having the PWMSlope function in use would affect the PWM output with the selection of the Cloud cover or Thunderstorm since it continually sets the PWM values.

curt

[bmhair03]

Got it working by commenting out a redondit line. Stays in storm mode dosen't reset to the before PWM values. Will post the video when I figure out how.

[rimai]

Cool.
Does it look good?

[bmhair03]

Yes it looks really nice. still working on the upload.

[bmhair03]

Heres the video remember very bad quaity but you can see the effect
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivWYJ6j-6lM

[bmhair03]

Is it possible to make the lighting faster or sharper? Or is that the drivers

[rimai]

Nice.
Agreed. Needs more contrast between between peeks.
Let me work on it.

[bmhair03]

You the Man Roberto! Thanks for the help.

[rimai]

I changed to this:

Code: Select all

void StandardThunderstorm()
{
  byte value=random(100);
  if (value>60) ReefAngel.PWM.SetDaylight(50); else ReefAngel.PWM.SetDaylight(0);
}

It looks much better
To make it trigger faster than every whole minute, use this instead:

Code: Select all

  if ((second(now())%10)<=3) StandardThunderstorm(); else ReefAngel.PWM.SetDaylight(0);

This code will actually make it last 3s every 10s, so you can have see the effect faster.
3s duration seems to give better result than just 1 second.